LONDON – HOW TO FALL IN LOVE AGAIN
Nia Sheremeteva
Founder/CEO - RSI LONDON GROUP: RSI Tech, RSI LONDON, RSI Search, DomPersonnel
I have always loved London. I fell in love from the very moment I arrived in this magnificent City twenty years ago (I can’t believe it has been so long!) – its cosy streets in contrast with the grand buildings, theatres on every corner, the pub culture.
I remember ordering my first beer. The bartender asked me if I wanted one pint, and as I wasn’t sure how big the pint was, I said I wanted two pints. Imagine my shock when he poured and stood them in front of me with unspoken respect in his eyes.
I remember the first time I went to the West End musical. It was ‘We will rock you’. And yes, it did rock my world.
I remember starting my business and discovering the power of ‘networking’ in London, or should I say the power of partying non-stop. I loved uncovering beautiful restaurants, astonishing clubs and bars, dancing till dawn.
London has always fascinated me. It felt like the party could never end in this City.
Until it did…
When the pandemic struck, all the bits we don’t like about London came to the forefront – the bad weather, the Brexit, the bad weather. It was all I could notice, all I felt for some time. And the problems the UK was facing haven’t stopped. And somehow, London lost its magic.
‘I know what our problem is– ’ I declared to my husband recently, ‘We fell out of love with the City we live in.’ He had to agree. And this sudden realisation struck me – I had never thought it could be possible. Not for me. But here I was, feeling blue in one of the best cities in the world.
领英推荐
So I decided to make a plan. If I fell out of love with London, all I had to do was to fall back in love. Easy, right?
I began revisiting London galleries, museums, restaurants, theatres. I made a real effort to make sure my schedule was packed with entertainment. And although it was kind of fun, I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling off. Everything seemed pointless with the cloud of the latest news and the overall mood.
‘I don’t think my plan is working,’ I said to my husband.
‘What did you really fall in love with when you came to the UK? Was it just the buildings, just the party places, just the theatres?’ my wise husband asked.
It got me thinking.
The reason I fell in love with London was deeper, as I realised. I fell in love with London because I found amazing people to share my time with. So I have a new plan now – meeting my beautiful friends. Actually dedicating time to seeing them more. Purposefully.
And I can happily declare that my plan is working. I am back in love, rain and all. Because London is the place where my beautiful friends are. Love ya, guys!?;)
Owner at INGLIS Global International Studies and ABRAKADABRA Spielsprachschule Kassel
2 年I found my way to fall back in love with London in not living there. When I first came to visit London, twenty years ago too, I swore to myself that one day I'm going to come to live there. I fulfilled my dream 8 years later, I remember sitting in a double-decker, upper front seat, going through brightly lit Regent Street in the evening, thinking I will never leave. I spent wonderful and tense 3 years in London, found friends, experienced highs and lows, the birth of my son. However constant contact with the city washes away the excitement. It comes back though, when visiting after a while. It's been three years now, and I definitely need a dose of London in my blood again.
HR Director and Consultant
2 年You are a force of nature. Xx