how Lisbon changed my life.
acting casual
We all have phases in life. The past becomes memories that sometimes don’t even feel like yours. My life feels like that. I had a past life and without it maybe I wouldn’t be here.
I was born in a small town in England, on the suburbs of London. I went to the same school my Dad did and I have best friends since I was 5. I went to uni, I got a job, I met someone, bought a house, got married and so it goes on. But then some big things happened in my life and it shook me up. The urge to travel and live abroad was always lingering in my belly - but whilst surrounded by others who didn’t share this desire - I kept it squashed down. But one day it came up and i couldn’t push it back down again. Approaching my mid 30’s i decided it was now or never, and one day I gave up everything - all I knew and all I owned was one day there - the next day gone.
But a plane ticket later - I was off to travel the world. Finally. Alone but free and it felt amazing. But then BOOM. COVID. Before i knew it I was back at my parents house with nothing. No home, no job and not many friends either. It was the first time in my life I really experienced loneliness. But this also sent me on a different path, which it turns out, was my destiny.
During my short travelling stint, I did meet an interesting character who told me they lived in Lisbon. They used to have a vintage shop but they we’re turning it in to a restaurant instead. I got in contact with them and said ‘ What if i take your stock, and I sell it for you’ The next week I was on a plane, 1 way ticket, a backpack and a heart full of hope and dreams that maybe - I could live in Lisbon.
When I arrived the first 6 months was tough. It was scary, I was scared. i didn’t speak the language, i was completely alone but this time in another country. Everyone was younger than me and I didn’t know what I was doing. I cried, a lot. And I didn’t feel like i could tell anyone as this was my choice, and I also knew I didn’t want to go back either. So I kept going, I pushed myself to get out of bed and meet people, take opportunities and live in the moment. Well Lisbon answered all my dreams - in 8 months I opened my own little showroom, the first time I ever had a physical space to sell vintage and it was perfect. Only 8sqm enough space for 1 rail but i was in love. And then, more love came my way. I met Richard and I moved in with him 1 month later. A few months later I was pregnant but I had never felt happier in my entire life. Since then, we have a beautiful son together and the business has grown and grown to eventually open a shop in June 2023.
It’s been a journey, and I want to share more of it. I hope you enjoyed my long story short.