Introduction

Socrates once claimed, the unexamined life is not worth living. So, what then, when you have sat through countless university lectures examining various aspects of life in history, literature, sociology and psychology, you come out the other side and feel more confused about "life" than when you started?

My name is Emma. I am 22 years old and sometime whilst contemplating life last year, I decided to take the leap and relocate overseas. I would be leaving behind in Australia a loving family, an old and faithful dog, a fabulous group of friends, someone I care about deeply, a job that had more good days than bad working with a great team of colleagues. In essence, a big, warm, cuddly security blanket.

Now, I am the biggest advocate for the importance of learning about the past in order to make more knowledgeable decisions about the future. However, there comes a point where you can get so bogged down about your present that none of it matters anyway. Wake up, work out, work, eat, socialise, sleep... routine, routine, routine. Your senses get dulled and you miss what's happening in front of you as you look towards your next commitment for the day. Your self is defined in relation to your surroundings. And, if you're like me, you start to imagine the life you wish you were living, rather than going out there and doing it. Socrates, you may be a smart guy, but I'd wish you luck trying to examine life in the 21st century.

So, what better way to break free of the mould than to simply pack your life up into a suitcase and launch yourself into the unknown? And so we fast-forward to the end of April 2013 when, after many emotional goodbyes to all of the people (and dog) mentioned above, a little girl and a very large suitcase arrived at Brisbane International Airport with anxious parents in tow. It wasn't exactly a smooth send off, with a necessary emergency reshuffle of luggage at the check in counter to meet the hand luggage weight restrictions. However, after a teary goodbye I boarded a plane that would take me to London. Well, first Singapore. Then Abu Dhabi. But THEN, after 30 hours of long, uncomfortable travel and terrible plane food, I stepped off that plane and breathed in the beautiful fumes of London Town.

This blog will cover my journey relocating to London solo and my learnings and experiences along the way. After such a heavy introduction, I intend for it to be a lighthearted read for anyone who is contemplating doing the same thing themselves. It will have to be kept lighthearted, so as to not put you off! But also for those back home keeping tabs on my progress, and for something for me to do in my broomstick cupboard of a bedroom while I wait to make new friends and actually have something exciting to do on a Saturday night.

So sit back, enjoy a cup of tea as you read how I learn about my "self" and life in general over the next couple of years within a set of completely different surroundings.

Love, Em xxx