Let me tell you, stepping back onto English soil after more than a year away was weirdly normal. I thought I’d have a dramatic montage moment—tears, swelling music, the works—but instead, it was just… life as usual. Familiar accents, familiar sights, even the familiar chill in the air. It was so normal that it threw me off a bit.
But wow, how good it felt. A warm, cosy hug in the form of home. And can we talk about the sheer joy of random chats with strangers? I walked around with a big goofy grin after every conversation because people just… got me. No language barriers, no struggling to explain myself—just easy, effortless chatter. It was a breath of fresh air, honestly.
The First 24 Hours: Sleep and Chippy Chips
When I got home, I was absolutely wrecked. No unpacking, no catching up—straight to bed. My parents didn’t even mind because they were busy wrangling my cousin’s baby. Bless. But the next day? That’s when the adventure began.
Dad and I went grocery shopping together, which sounds mundane, but it was actually the sweetest little outing. They didn’t stock up before I came because, apparently, they couldn’t remember what I eat (same, Dad, same), so off we went. And honestly, it was so much fun! Wandering the aisles, getting unnecessarily outraged over price increases (“£3 for butter?! What is this madness?”), and having little moments of excitement over foods I hadn’t seen since moving to Korea.
The highlight, though? My first proper must-have meal in England: a mini fish and chips from the chippy. I don’t know what kind of magic they sprinkle on those chips, but wow. Worth every single calorie.
The Best Bits: Family, Food, and Fitting Rooms
Being back was all about the little moments—meeting my cousin’s baby, Teddy, who is an absolute squish of a human, sitting at my brother’s house playing Sims with my sister-in-law, and just doing nothing together in the most comforting way.
And cooking for my parents? Who am I?! I made bone broth, chicken and mushroom gnocchi, and even leek and potato soup. Who knew I had it in me? It felt good to potter around the kitchen, slowing down and just being with my family.
Also, shopping? Normally, I hate it—like, tears-in-the-dressing-room, self-loathing kind of hate it. But this time? I don’t know what happened, but I actually found clothes that fit and that I liked. It was a dangerous realization. My suitcase barely survived the trip back.
What I Missed About Korea
As much as I loved being home, I found myself missing Korea, too. My little apartment has become my cozy haven, and while I was away, I kept dreaming up ways to make it even more me when I got back. More fairy lights? Plants? A cute rug? It’s all happening.
And the convenience! Oh my goodness, the convenience of Korea. Public transport that just works, 24/7 convenience stores that sell everything you could possibly need… I missed it. The first week in England, I didn’t have access to a car and felt so stuck. My parents couldn’t always drive me, so I was just sitting there, twiddling my thumbs. Thankfully, my brother swooped in like the hero he is and sorted me out with a car. What would I do without him?
And, of course, I missed my best friend in Korea. It was strange experiencing all these wonderful things back home and wishing they were by my side. I lost count of how many times I thought, Oh, they’d love this!
Same But Different
Being home was a head trip. Everything felt the same, and then suddenly, I’d notice something completely different—like a road I’ve driven down a million times suddenly leading to an entirely new housing estate. How does that happen?! It’s trippy.
But the biggest change? Me. I’ve grown so much since I left, and it was only by coming back that I truly noticed it.
Lessons From Home
This trip reminded me to slow down and savor life. To really see the people around me and appreciate the time I get to spend with them. It also made me so much more grateful for my life in Korea—the challenges, the growth, the experiences. It’s all part of the journey.
Back in Korea & Ready to Reset
Now, I’m back in Korea, shaking off the jet lag and getting back into my routines. It took me a minute (and a lot of naps), but I’m feeling ready to dive back into things—blogging, attempting content creation, workouts, new job, all of it.
I know I dropped off for a bit while traveling, but I’m excited to be back and to start sharing more. There’s so much to catch up on, and I can’t wait to take you along for everything coming next.
Oh, and before I forget—there’s a café I visited back home that absolutely deserves its own blog post. Cozy vibes, great coffee, the works. I’ll save all the details for later, but trust me, you’re going to want to hear about it.
For now, though, I’ll leave you with this: home really is where the heart is, whether it’s in England, Korea, or somewhere in between. 💛
Life in Progress Diaries 
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