A landscape with a lake and the sun setting in the background.

Post-Reading Week Reflections

It's often hard to ground myself when my head is always on the clouds. Since I got to London (almost two months ago!), I feel like I have been living in a dream. This is by no means bad, but it's also not great for a few reasons. Sure, dreams are exciting and fun, but they're usually not real. Moving to my dream city was, well, a dream, but now  there are a few things that I've had to slowly come to terms with.
A landscape composed of a green field and blue sky in the background.
Train rides -they feel quite symbolic!
For some reason, the end of reading week seems like the perfect time to reflect back. It marks the halfway point of the semester, giving me space to look both back, but also ahead. For the sake of a chronological order, I'll start by looking back. I've met awesome people while living here, from tons of different backgrounds. I've taken classes that I thought I'd never be able to take! I've also taken some that are not exactly what I was interested in, but they're insightful nonetheless. I've gone out, but I've also stayed in - making friends is fun, but it's not easy to create a friend group in the middle of the school year. I'm learning to be by myself (a lot), and to be okay with that. And I'm also learning what it means to be home-sick of not a physical place, but of a group of people, spread around in different countries. I'm learning to make the most out of every opportunity.
A selfie of Francesca with her mother and brother in front of China Town in London
My mom and brother came to visit - they make me feel lucky
Looking ahead feels just as necessary. What am I trying to do the rest of my time here? I've never been one to write checklists or "New Years goals", mostly because I think what I want can change, and it's important to acknowledge that. However, I do like setting myself a few key motivators. I want to become more comfortable doing things on my own, such as sitting down for coffee, or visiting a museum. I want to make it a point to message my new friends, and not just waiting for them to text me - friendships work both ways! I want to be more honest with myself and with others. Acknowledging rough times helps me appreciate the good times more.

To finish off my reflection, I want to share a song that I love. It's a little reminded that when life gets heavy, we should allow ourselves to take some time off, and Sing, celebrating the little things.

Video Transcript : Hozier - To Noise Making (Sing) [Official Audio] 
"Remember when you'd sing, just for the fuck of it Any joy it would bring Honey, the look of it was as sweet as the sound Your head tilt back, your funny mouth to the clouds I couldn't hope to know that song And all its words wouldn't claim to feel the same We felt as the first time it was heard I couldn't name that feeling carried in that voice Was it that or just the act of making noise that brought you joy? You don't have to sing it right Who could call you wrong? You put your emptiness to melody Your awful heart to song You don't have to sing it nice, but honey sing it strong At best, you find a little remedy, at worst the world will sing along So honey sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing Sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, sing Remember when you'd sing Before we moved to it and we'd scuff up our shoes Honey, the groove of it was whatever you choose I wan't to be your lover, or the fishermen's blues You didn't always sing it right But who could call you wrong? You put your emptiness to melody Your awful heart to song You don't have to sing it nice, but honey sing it strong At best, you find a little remedy, at worst the world will sing along So honey sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing Sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, sing Who could ask to be unbroken or be brave again? Or honey hope even on this side of the grave again? And who could ask it to be sound or to feel saved again? Or stick around until you hear that music play again So honey sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing Sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, sing So honey sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing Sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, sing (For the love of it) Sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing, and sing (For the love of it) Remember when you'd sing, just for the love of it Any joy it would bring."

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