Moving to Istanbul was a huge risk

But it’s paid off in more ways than I could ever have expected

This newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, please subscribe for free or pledge your support by hitting the button below.

It’s rare that I set sail on first person pieces because the tell-all story is absolutely not my journo comfort zone. But as The Istanbulist turns six months this June, I thought now was the perfect time to reflect on the move that began this wild new chapter. I hope you enjoy. Lucy Xx

Over the past 18 months, life has taken as many twists and turns as a Disneyland roller coaster. I’ve been up and down but learnt a hell of a lot along the way.

It all started in June 2021 when my boyfriend (now husband) received a very unexpected job offer in Istanbul. The string of Covid lockdowns had left us champing at the bit for a change of scene and so without much hesitation we agreed that he should go for it.

Three weeks later we landed in Istanbul, with two suitcases, not a word of Turkish and a key to our Airbnb. We now had chickens and cats for neighbours and a 5am wake-up call from the nearby mosque.

It all happened extremely fast, leaving us little time to ponder the many implications of jumping into the unknown. This was a good thing I now realise as I’m usually one of those considered types that weighs up every pro and con until I’ve worn myself out with indecision.

But this decision was different. For once, I ignored the defeatist voice in my head, listened to my gut and dived in head first. There were butterflies, yes, but there was also lots of excitement — could I really make this new life work?

I was more than a little apprehensive as to what it would mean for my career. Overnight I went from being an in-house editor in London to a freelancer working in a city I had never been to before and didn’t speak the language in.

The early days were tough. I felt completely out of my depth — even buying dinner seemed to exhaust me — and inevitably like I had thrown away everything I had worked so hard to build. But little by little I adapted to my new life and began to love my new if random routine.

And the best bit? Moving to Istanbul has broadened my career in all kinds of new ways. I’m happier, busier and more fulfilled than ever before. Not only have I expanded my scope from arts, interiors and design to encompass lifestyle, food and travel but I have also built a new network of brilliant women bossing it in the arts.

We’ve also had the opportunity to travel at weekends and discover so many wonderful and exciting things about our new home. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll also know that we’ve 100 per cent become cat people :)

I’ve had crippling moments of self-doubt, yes, and those insidious feelings of fear and failure frequently bubble to the surface. But I try to proactively quash them, knowing that our life is so much richer, brighter and more challenging than it was before.

I’ve also connected with a new community of brilliant writers on Substack and as a result feel so much less alone in this new freelance venture. Which leads me to The Istanbulist. Launching this newsletter about all things art, design and travel in Istanbul & beyond was the professional excuse I needed to leave my desk, explore my new home and not feel guilty about it. Unsurprisingly, I’ve not looked back.

Jumping into the unknown was a huge risk and something I never thought I'd be brave enough to do. But I’m so glad I did. I’ve peddled hard to keep afloat in this new and unfamiliar world and I’ve leaned heavily on my husband, friends and family in moments of overwhelm (thank you all so much for your support) but veering off what often felt like a pre-paved path has been immensely fulfilling and rewarding.

Making change is hard and I know it doesn’t always pay off (I’ve been there too) but it can lead to the most brilliant and unexpected of adventures. Embracing the twists and turns, rather than fearing them, has changed me for the better. So, here’s to jumping into the unknown. You never know, it could be the start of your best journey yet….

JOIN THE CONVERSATION…I would love to hear about your milestone changes as well as any tips and tricks from expats who’ve been through similar experiences.