One big decision. One new home. One completely new chapter.
Sometimes you reach a point in life where you realise you want something different.
For us, that feeling eventually became a decision:
We're leaving the UK and starting a new life in Donegal. 🇮🇪
And this is where I'm going to share the whole story.
Not just the exciting bits, but the real-life reality of starting again — the planning, the packing, the nerves, the excitement, the emotional moments and, eventually, the day we wake up and realise:
We actually live here.
🤍 WHY IRELAND?
Ireland has always felt special to us.
The countryside. The coastline. The slower pace. The warmth. The feeling of home.
For years, the idea of living in Ireland was something we could talk about, dream about and imagine.
Then one day, we stopped saying:
“Maybe one day…”
and started saying:
“Why not now?”
Making the decision to leave behind everything familiar isn't easy.
It's exciting and frightening all at once.
But sometimes the biggest changes begin with one brave decision.
🏡 THE LIFE WE'RE DREAMING OF
We're not moving to Ireland because we're expecting some perfect fairytale life.
We're moving because we want to create a life that feels more us.
A cosy home.
Quiet mornings.
More countryside.
Fresh air.
Family time.
Walks and adventures.
Baking in the kitchen.
Exploring somewhere new just because we can.
And more time to appreciate the little things.
It's not about having a perfect life.
It's about building a life we genuinely love living.
🇬🇧 LETTING GO OF THE UK
Before there's a new beginning, there's quite a lot of letting go.
Selling the house.
Sorting through years of belongings.
Decluttering.
Packing.
Making endless lists.
Organising all the practical things that come with moving country.
And saying goodbye to the life we've known.
There are things we're ready to leave behind.
And there are things we'll miss.
That's the strange thing about starting again — you can be incredibly excited about what's ahead while still feeling emotional about what you're leaving behind.
📦 THE COUNTDOWN
The countdown is part of the story too.
Every box packed makes it feel a little more real.
Every room cleared makes the move feel closer.
And somewhere between the lists, the sorting and the “where on earth are we going to put that?” moments, there's the growing realisation:
We're really doing this.
I'll be sharing the countdown as it happens — the preparations, the chaos, the excitement and all the little moments along the way.
🍀 OUR NEW HOME
Then there's the part I'm probably most excited about...
Making our new house a home.
Creating cosy corners.
Filling the kitchen with the smell of baking.
Finding our favourite mugs.
Making new routines.
Celebrating birthdays and Christmases.
Having lazy afternoons.
Sharing meals.
And creating the ordinary little moments that eventually become our favourite memories.
Because home isn't just a building.
It's everything that happens inside it.
🚗 THE BIG MOVE
Eventually, the final box will be packed.
The last cup of tea will be made in our old home.
We'll lock the door for the last time...
and head for Ireland.
I'll be documenting the journey, the excitement, the nerves and that surreal feeling of knowing that we're travelling towards a completely different life.
🇮🇪 HELLO, DONEGAL
And then...
we arrive.
Our first morning.
Our first food shop.
Our first walk.
Our first cup of tea in the new kitchen.
Our first night.
Our first ordinary day.
And that first moment when we look around and realise:
We live in Ireland. 🍀
Those are the moments I want to remember forever.
🏡 MAKING IRELAND HOME
But arriving is only the beginning.
Then we'll start discovering our new surroundings.
Finding favourite cafés.
Exploring beaches and countryside.
Finding little villages and local treasures.
Going for walks.
Trying new food.
Meeting people.
Creating new traditions.
And slowly turning somewhere new into somewhere that feels completely like home.
