This christmas marks the first of many. It’s the first christmas that I’ve spent with my boyfriend, but also the first christmas I’ve spent away from my family. It’s the first christmas abroad and the first christmas on the beach… I can’t complain, spending christmas on the beach with the sand between your toes, drinking prosecco and tucking into your Nando’s chicken is kind of the dream.
But christmas is all about family… cliche I know. I’ve never been a massive fan of christmas unlike my christmassy obsessed boyfriend who loves this festivity endlessly. But Christmas this year, just didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel right not to be stuffing my face with potatoes and yorkshire puddings. It didn’t feel right not opening my presents in front of the glowing fire, or watching my family receive their’s. It didn’t feel right not to go for a christmas walk with the doggies or spend our annual boxing day at my Cousin’s house. It just didn’t feel right! I don’t think I blame this on growing older.. I think it’s just the fact my family weren’t there to celebrate with me.
The idea of spending christmas on the beach with a glass of bubbly in your hand whilst the sun glistens over the sea, sounds perfect and idyllic for many… but I missed the winter, my crazy family and old traditions.
However, I’m glad to say that for once I experienced a different kind of christmas. I spent it in Sydney on Shelley beach where the sand was warm and the sea was calm. I perched on a rock for most of the day, drinking my Prosecco and spending it with the person I love the most. Although as I am currently writing this I’m suffering with bruises from the slippery rocks, sun burn and the aftermath of a bloody spicy chicken Tikka Masala (Who knew it could blow your head off!!). I am happy to say that I did it. I spent Christmas the other side of the world, something not many people can say they have done. It still feels weird to me, that we actually made it here. It’s weird that my dream actually became my reality.
So whether you’ve been lucky enough to spend christmas at home with your family or spent it on some far away island.. live in that moment. Because you never know when things might change.
Wanderlust; 