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New City, New Girl

May 29, 2019
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“Hi, I’m Kristin, and I’m new here. “There are few things I dislike more than being unknown, not having my people around, being alone. And I really haven’t had to do it much. Unlike a good friend of mine whose dad was in the military and thus moved all over, I’ve lived in the same house for my entire life. (Okay, I might’ve lived at our old house for the first week of my life before moving into the current one.)

Long story short: It’s been a long time since I’ve been the new girl. And it’s not my favorite thing. I got a taste of it two summers ago when I lived abroad in Toulouse, France. And it was tough, but I’m so much stronger for it.

This summer I moved to Dallas, Texas, for an internship that I’m stoked about. But even with the most exciting of adventures, change is, well, an adjustment. I moved hundreds of miles away from my family and friends to a city I’d never even been to before.

I love exploring and organizing my room and watching nature documentaries and just catching up on me time. But there’s nothing like grabbing coffee or inviting friends over for a meal, and in a new city, that’s harder to do.

In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve been overwhelmed with the warm welcome I’ve received — southern hospitality you could call it. Some empty nesters have adopted me as their own, my brother’s friends invited me over for a brunch, a college friend happens to be from the area. It’s what I’d call a best case scenario.

Being the new girl isn’t fun.

Being the new girl isn’t easy.

Being the new girl is awkward.

Being the new girl is uncomfortable.

But being the new girl is teaching me humility (something I need and my family will tell you that) and grace. Putting yourself out there is daunting, but unfortunately, it’s really the only way to get plugged in and find a new home. I’m quick to beat myself up for not introducing myself or not reaching out to that friend of a friend that another friend gave me her number. Whew!

Oh, and also patience aka my favorite thing. I’ve been to this church twice, so where is my new bff at? It’s the third day of work — I don’t need a GPS, right? Things take time, relationships take time. And Kristin will always need a navigation system at hand. Some things never change.

The unknown gives me the creeps. Okay, confession: way more than the creeps. I hate not being in control, but it’s times like these that I remind myself there is purpose in the “uncomfy.” I know that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be and although not with difficulty and struggle, that good plans await.

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Previous Photo Diary: Dallas Arboretum
Next Round Trip Roundup: MAY

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Comments

  1. Kelly Myers says

    July 18, 2019 at 11:40 am

    Girl, I can relate to you on so many levels! I moved to Nashville 2 years ago and it is still a challenge. Being away from family, and exploring really cool things ALONE is so tough. We think we can do it but then we don’t expect the challenges to just hit us in the face. The good thing is that we’ll become better for it, and we have this selfish time to do things for ourselves. We’re meant for human connection and the best way I’ve found to adjust is to get involved in things where you see the same people over and over, but also have the opportunity to meet new people. Like a kickball team, volunteer, etc. You got this, and I’m here to support because us ladies need to stick together. Love, Kel

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      July 18, 2019 at 12:55 pm

      Hello Kelly! Thank you for your sweet note. Yes, we will be so much stronger! And it can be fun to have some time to be selfish: to do whatever, watch whatever, eat whatever. Happy exploring!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Round Trip Roundup: MAY – round trip says:
    May 31, 2019 at 9:00 am

    […] one likes being the new girl, and I get real and raw in this personal essay on being the new girl in a new city I’d never been to before. I’ve spent this month exploring Dallas […]

    Reply
  2. Photo Diary: Dallas Farmers Market – round trip says:
    June 19, 2019 at 9:03 am

    […] More on moving to a new city and being the new girl. […]

    Reply
  3. Round Trip Roundup: JUNE – round trip says:
    June 30, 2019 at 2:29 pm

    […] anymore. That means reaching out about getting coffee or dinner, not waiting for someone to ask. Being the new girl is exhausting, but after six weeks here, I feel like I’m in a good groove. I have to credit […]

    Reply
  4. I Signed Up for a Hot Yoga Class By Accident – round trip says:
    August 14, 2019 at 9:00 am

    […] summer has been wave after wave of “newness.” I moved to a city I’d never been to, I started a new job, I joined a new church, I made new […]

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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About

Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
learn more about my story

Want free access to my 30-minute travel budgeting course?

One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so mu One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so much dang paperwork and many complicated processes🙈

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Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small w Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small world” moments?🌏

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One of my favorite spots with the sweetest of nostalgic memories was in a small village called Laguépie. Population: ~600. Whenever people asked me my favorite place in France, nobody ever knew where I was talking about. It wasn’t in the magazines or travel blogs. (Ahem, it’s on mine!)

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Earlier this month, I visited Albi to see her along with her French boyfriend, who’s from a small village. He never told me the name, but as we were sipping wine and eating saucissons, he said something about Laguépie.

“WHAT?! Did you say Laguépie? I’ve been there and fell in L O V E!” He said, no, we can’t be talking about the same place, no one ever goes to my hometown😂 But after showing him my photos, including ones the village’s castle @chateau_louvielcastel reposted, it was one and the same.

Can someone queue “Invisible String” because what a small world this is that we’re all connected. Do you have any wild stories like that? Tell me in the comments⬇️

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What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌 What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌

✈️I love finding travel destinations + itineraries, easy recipes and decorating ideas. My guess is that you've found some blogs and ideas you love through this site. 

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Currently kicking myself for not getting on the Pinterest for Business train sooner because this site is truly a game changer. I went from a personal account with a wedding board and gluten-free board with recipes I’d never tried to a bustling business board with more than 400,000 monthly visitors. And most of that is not from advertising.

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Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰 This med Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰

This medieval village enchanted me so much so I almost teared up as we left because I just didn’t want to go. If there are castles, sea views and charm, I’m so there. And Èze checks all these boxes✅ 

😍This medieval village is a labyrinth of cobblestone and windy paths, but the steps are worth it. There are shops and restaurants along the way to the top where you get sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

🌵Once you make it to the top, you have to pay to enter the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, and I can't recommend it enough. (Be sure to ask about the combo deal that includes both the garden in Èze and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild nearby.)

🚗🛤️Distance from Nice: 30-minute drive or 15 minute train ride

Craving more photos + day trip ideas from Nice? Head over to link in bio ❤️

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How's your sense of direction?↪️🗺️I am th How's your sense of direction?↪️🗺️I am the queen of getting lost — and not on purpose😂

When I lived in Toulouse in 2017, I took a day trip to a nearby town to visit a friend. Wanting to get the best deal, I booked the 6 a.m. train. Unfortunately, I didn't think it all the way through🙃

I left my apartment on time, but when I got to the metro, it hadn't started running yet. I was nervous about getting to the train station on time, but if I hurried, I could make it.

Alas, I made it to the metro stop where I was supposed to switch metro lines. I had one job, and I failed🙈

⚠️I went the wrong direction, and once I realized it, I quickly got off the next stop and ran up to the street. I was unbelievably lost, and the sun hadn't even come up. Eventually, I made it to the train station but had completely missed the train.

And defeated, I sat down in the bakery, cried and FaceTimed my mom. Some kind French girl saw my tears and approached me to help me book a new train.

Since then, I've gotten lost many more times😆 But it's taught me to not be so hard on myself because getting lost is part of the journey. (And if it's not a good time, it's a good story, eh?😜)

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Have you ever dreamed about making money from your Have you ever dreamed about making money from your hobby?✨

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🚦Mal and I really only had time to drive through Menton and Roquebrune Cap Martin, but they were both stunning as ever. In Menton, we walked along the beach and watched the windsurfers in this quaint town.

🍋This spot is known for its lemons as is commemorated every February by Fête du Citron, or Lemon Festival. This event attracts more than 200,000 attendees and boasts 180 tons of citrus fruits.

🚗🛤️Distance from Nice: 12 miles (20 kilometers) or about a 30-minute drive or train ride to Menton

Craving more photos + day trip ideas from Nice? Bop over to link in bio!

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