I am beginning my 10 month in Geneva. While I have saved you all from the details, not every day has been rosy. The time change is difficult on relationships with friends and family who are in the United States. I miss having an incredible support group of friends both in the health and wellness world and in our personal life. I’ve tried to find some of this through the wonderful group of women in London who are part of Team Naturally Run but only being their once to twice a month has made establishing those relationships difficult. There are moments when I close my eyes and wish nothing more than to be back in the chaotic, easy life we knew in New York City. No, I don’t mean that living in NYC is easy but our life there had just hit this wonderful rhythm. Our groups of friends were merging into one cohesive group, we knew how to find everything in the grocery store, I’d fallen in love with a few group fitness instructors, I was surrounded my friends who pushed me beyond my comfort zone during workouts, my commute was a science, we loved every inch of our neighborhood, I had a wonderful relationship with my co-workers, and the tall buildings and crowded streets which had once overwhelmed and threatened me now felt like home.
When I open my eyes from this dream of living back in NYC, I remember just how blessed we are. For nine amazing months we’ve discovered London and Geneva together while also traveling across Europe. Our relationship as a couple has strengthened as we’ve figured out what works for us as we deal with the distance four days per week. I have become dependent upon people and opened up in a way that was never necessary back home. While the word dependent can sometimes have a negative connotation, it has been a good thing for me. I tend to be too independent in both work and personal life, wanting to do everything my own way. I’ve come to respect the feedback, opinions, cultures and support that I’ve found in Geneva through my work environment and the group of friends who have become my rocks.
While I can’t transport my family, running buddy or dearest friend to Geneva, I am learning slowly but surely how to invest just a bit more time in making Geneva feel more like a home than a temporary location. Today, instead of running along the familiar banks of Lake Geneva, I spent my morning and evening filling one of the gaps in my life – finding positive energy through group fitness.
For 3 hours today I found support, inspiration and strength in two unique places – the swimming pool and the yoga studio.
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I was nervous before both activities but for very different reasons. I have never swum competitively in my life and this morning’s swim team experience brought together a number of fears: being in a swimsuit in public, seeing co-workers in swimsuits, having a coach scream at me, having a coach prescribe impossible workouts, and gasping for breath in the pool. My nerves around the yoga class came more from the studio and experience than the class itself. This studio is the only yoga studio I could find on Google which features classes in both French and English along with hours which suit my work schedule. I knew that after this class I would know whether the studio was a fit for me. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with the teacher, studio, teaching method and space during a 2 hour class which had me attempting crow pose and dripping at just ten minutes into class.
I walked home tonight, through the quiet Geneva streets, feeling just a little bit more at home.
I totally know how you feel living in two places at the same time. It’s so hard to make/keep friends in either, because people aren’t used to that kind of lifestyle! Huge hugs, and while I know the time difference can be difficult, drop me a line anytime if you need to talk.
Thanks Laura! We should definitely talk as we’re going through so much of the same right now! xo
I’m in a glass case of emotion. I can only imagine how it feels to miss *everyone* here, but I’m so glad you’ve made a few trips back here…and Saint-Tropez will be amazing. And I will keep up my end of the swim bargain next time. Love you and miss you so much and glad you’re feeling more settled.
Thanks buddy! I can always rely on you for good quotes. 🙂
Hi Ashley! Your yoga studio sounds great – may I ask which one it was? In Geneva I’ve only been to Bikram yoga so far… which did not disappoint! Keep up the great work, your blog is an inspiration! 🙂
The studio is InnerCityYoga – innercityoga.com. Thank you so much!
Re: your comment about the only English yoga classes, you also shouldn’t be intimidated for fitness classes in french. I go to yoga, spinning, pump… classes here in Norway even though I don’t fully understand the instructor. Because I have done these classes before in the US, I am confident with my form and such and not worried about getting hurt (that would be my main concern about not understanding) and can just follow along. I know enough words (numbers, parts of my body, up, down, one more time, right, left…) that I can figure it out, even if I am a step behind (at first I was a bit more observant of others in the class than I typically would be). And it is more immersion in the language which is always good. It only took me about 30 seconds of my first yoga class here to learn the word for breathe and it is a word I’ve never forgotten since.
Kelly thank you for the suggestion! I agree with you and noticed yesterday as he gave guidance in French and English that I too was picking up words like the French terms for body, triceps, etc.
I was wondering about yoga in French, if they are using the yoga terms (is it Sanskrit?) I wonder If I could keep up with a combo of looking around and familiarity of the terms. I quite fancy trying some while I am out there but think I might resort to some hotel room youtube routines.
Moving outside of your comfort zone is a real challenge so well done you, twice in one day too!
Stephanie you should DEFINITELY take a class at InnerCity! They were incredible!
I really felt for you in this post – it’s not easy living abroad. One thing I can tell you though is that once you make it through the first year, it gets a little easier. I remember clearly going to a street party thrown by my new church here in California when I’d lived here 3 weeks. I felt so alone and lonely and awkward. One year later, I couldn’t get over the difference – I had friends, I was helping man a stand, I was confident and really happy. Once you start to do things for a second time, you’ll realize how much progress you’ve made in the past year, and it’ll really encourage you. In that second year, you start to deepen new friendships and they become REAL friendships, and you feel so much more confident in your new place. So hang in there…you’ve nearly made it.
Thanks Cathryn. I really appreciate your suggestions!
Ashley you have no idea how much of an inspiration you (and Bo!) are! You guys have taken an amazing, yet challenging situation and built it into this growth opportunity that you have been able to share with us all. My heart aches sometimes reading your posts missing the beauty of European culture, but so often in the same breath I am left appreciating my little home here in Denver 🙂
Aw thanks Ashley! Don’t call your home little – home is as large as your heart makes it!
I can’t even imagine that kind of change! You do seem like you’re doing great though. I’ve actually moved quite a few times in my life and while it was never to a different country, I understand how lost you can feel in a new place. My Dad always says that the first year living in a new place, you find all the things you dislike. The second year, you start to learn all the things you love. I’ve found this to be true more often than not. Cheers to starting your second year soon 🙂 Sending you lots of love!
A friend of mine just told be about your blog — I am an active yogi from Chicago in my mid-twenties moving to Geneva on work assignment and land in Geneva on Monday. So glad to hear you have found a great yoga studio, as practicing is a huge part of my life and I really hope to continue it abroad! Thanks for sharing your experience. InnerCity will be the first stop on my Swiss yoga journey 🙂 Any other tips for American yogis abroad??
Glad to hear you’re joining the US gang here in Geneva! I’m happy to meet up especially if you want to join me tomorrow night for yoga! Send me an email healthyhappierbear at gmail dot com! 🙂 Welcome!