I’m a British expat – here’s how living in Europe has changed me for the better
IN THE summer of 2020, after nine years of living in London I packed up and travelled to Lisbon for a change of scene.
During the intervening four years, as I’ve come to learn more about the Portuguese way of life, I’ve also noticed subtle changes in myself.
The small, but important, differences of living in southern Europe have woven their way into my routine – for better and worse.
From my flexibility with time-keeping when it comes to social plans to my shrunken wardrobe, this is the impact swapping the UK for sunnier climes has had on me…
Nature
I would never have previously described myself as an outdoorsy type of person, but living in a sunnier country has encouraged me to leave the house at every opportunity.
It helps that Portugal has some incredible nature to explore, from beautiful coastlines to stunning mountains.
I’ll find myself ‘saving’ hikes I’ve seen on Instagram Reels as much as swanky bars in Lisbon.
Not that living in the city means I’m far from nature at all – with the Tejo river and the woods of Monsanto both nearby.
Make-up
Since my teens, I’ve religiously applied make-up every day before leaving the house, with barefaced skin leaving me feeling almost naked.
This approach to beauty followed me to Lisbon – only to find that I would sweat it all off walking up the city’s hills in 30-degree heat.
Slowly but surely – and boosted by a little vitamin D-powered glow – I’ve come to feel more comfortable going without.
Which in turn has helped my complexion and slowly built back up my confidence in my own skin again.
English
As in the language. Not only have I realised how lucky we Brits have it – with so many Portuguese people speaking incredible English – but, equally, not everyone can.
I’ve cringed as visitors from other, ahem, English-speaking countries simply say words LOUDER in the hope of getting their message across.
Because our language really is not the centre of the universe, even if it might feel that way when it comes to films and songs.
In fact, slowly learning Portuguese has been the hardest – but also the best – thing I’ve done in years.
Belongings
There’s nothing like moving countries to make you re-evaluate how much stuff you own – and don’t actually need.
Shortly before my Lisbon-bound flight, I found myself whittling down all my belongings into those I would really use – which turned out, when push came to shove with my suitcase, to be not much at all.
During my time living in abroad, I’ve also been really careful about the things I’ve bought, knowing that one day I’ll have to pack it all up and take it back.
Which, all in all, has made me far less materialistic – and shrunk my previously bulging wardrobe in the process…
Punctuality
Or lack thereof. Firstly, this isn’t in the professional sense – especially since, as a freelancer, I tend to work remotely and usually don’t need to factor in a commute.
However, outside of work, I’ve fallen into Portugal’s leisurely rhythm, where it’s common for appointments to go over or friends to run late.
It’s not a slippery-slope-of-a-habit that I’m proud of, and hate myself every time I find myself keeping someone waiting – especially when it’s back in the UK.
However, it’s becoming second nature in a country where the dentist keeps me lingering one hour to be seen, and restaurants almost expect you to not be on time for your dinner reservation.