LIFE UPDATES: Leaving Korea, Traveling the Globe, and What’s Next?

So, I’ve left Korea! I’m currently back in the UK, and issuing a huge apology here for my sporadic Instagramming, and non-existent blogging and Youtubing over the past few months. Things have been mad. In a nutshell…

I finished my teaching job in March, then had the incredibly stressful task of organising an international move of my belongings whilst packing for our upcoming trip, and getting out of my apartment. Then it was the numerous admin tie ups that come with leaving your current country of residence, and the upsetting period of goodbyes and farewells to the people who have become family. It was rough to say the least.

The big question I keep getting asked is “why did you leave Korea?”. To many on the outside, it probably looked like I lived the perfect life in Seoul- fairly short working hours, k-beauty at every turn, glamorous events and dinners, the most lively metropolis I’ve ever encountered and a crowd of fabulous Korean and expat friends from around the world. All that was true and made my life in Seoul addictive and exciting, but living in Korea long-term takes its toll. Whilst I really love the country overall, there are aspects of the culture/living that I just couldn’t stand anymore. Perhaps more importantly, it was near impossible for Mikey and I, as foreigners, to move on both professionally and as a couple wanting to settle and make a stable home with a view to starting a family. So yeah, we made the very difficult decision to part ways with the country where we met, adore, and still call our second home.

After working for three years in English teaching where I had no choice over when I could take my measly 2 x a year 5 day vacations, I was more than ready for some long overdue holiday time! We embarked on a 6 week tour of the USA (Georgia-DC-NYC) and Europe (Amsterdam, Berlin, London, finishing at my home in Northumberland) to relax, see friends, meet each other’s families properly, and explore. I’m so grateful to everyone we’ve seen along the way, and the experiences we’ve been fortunate enough to have. As this wonderful time comes to an end, I’m trying to mentally prepare for what’s to come.

Aaaaaaand next..?

SkinfullofSeoul is not gonna change! I keep getting asked if I’m going to continue my blogging, and the answer is most certainly yes, if not with even more focus and posts than I’ve had time for in the past (I’m currently job hunting/sorting my life out, so time is on my side for once). I’m saving for new camera and lighting equipment to improve the quality of photos and YouTube videos, and I really want to be more frequently creating content to share. I’m really excited to move into the next chapter with SkinfullofSeoul, and I hope you will continue with me on this journey! I’m always so overwhelmed and grateful for the support you guys give me, so a big thank you.

In my personal life, it’s going to be tough for a while. I’m so happy to be reunited with family and friends here, but Mikey leaves England and heads back to the states on Sunday. We will begin work towards being together in one country, but in the meantime we have to get on with job hunting and other mundane necessary life adjustments on different continents. Long-distance will suck, but I’m happy that we’ve got something to look forward to, and I know the future holds everything we want together!

If you’re still reading, you deserve a medal. Lots of ramblings but I really wanted to open up and share what I’ve been going through the past few months, as well as let you know about what’s to come. SkinfullofSeoul is back in full action, and ready to glow. Again, thank you, and cheers to new beginnings!