Never Alone

It has been three weeks since I arrived... I think it’s time for a little recap!

When I arrived, I already knew Perth pretty well but I didn’t know almost anyone in Perth. And that was the hardest thing; it’s not easy to keep yourself busy and happy when you’re not working or studying and you don’t have any friends. Plus, it is hard to find friends when you’re not doing either of the latter!

I suppose the biggest threat in moving abroad is sinking into a mindset that you aren’t completely happy… and what’s more frustrating than feeling like that when it’s supposed to be the happiest and most exciting time of your life? This is when one is just digging a hole for themselves – with that mindset one also loses interest in trying to be or to become happy.

It is all about getting out of your shelf and crossing your normal boundaries; you have nothing to lose. That’s the mindset I had when I started randomly sending messages to other Finns living in Perth and straight away when I started getting very friendly replies, I was over the moon. Heck, I once even talked to a girl in a bar for less than half-an-hour and ended up asking her Facebook-details because she seemed nice – something I wouldn’t have done in Finland!

Has putting myself out there been worth it? Oh definitely, without a doubt. Some people may not have replied but I’m happy about at least trying – because of that I have now met some lovely ladies and I feel more at home now. One does need a social circle to be truly happy – even if you’re not a social butterfly but just knowing there are people you can ask for a coffee or to the beach. There is also something whimsical in being very far away from your native home and speaking in your native language to people who are just like all the people you grew up with.

What else? Well, saying “home” feels pretty confusing. Nowadays it’s more like saying “Finland”. It is a home… but not the home. It is quite lucky to be able to have two homes… and I can’t wait to bond with Perth and Australia more. In fact, next step is getting Australian friends…