I've been mulling over this idea for roughly eleven months now. Not because it's greatly groundbreaking or earth shattering or even worthy of the time that's been spent on it in my mind so far but because I'm not sure if I can commit to it.
It came about as I was talking to friends over the Queens Birthday long weekend last year, they were about to depart to spend an indefinite amount of time in London and I commented how I would like to get away from Melbourne myself. When they asked where to my response was along the lines of 'anywhere but here'. It was at that point, as those words came out of my mouth, that I realised I had spent almost exactly twenty years not liking living in Melbourne. Twenty years!
I decided then and there that it was time to do something about it. You see, my choice to not like Melbourne was exactly that - a choice. When I first moved here with my family I was determined that I would be leaving again just as soon as I turned eighteen and so I chose not to settle, chose not to get attached and chose to hold onto my absolute hatred of city/suburban life.
Obviously the strength of those feelings didn't last long - I made friends, I enjoyed my life and I met The Sparky (the one and only reason I didn't run away at eighteen). I no longer hated living here but at the same time I still held on to the negativity I associated with living here.
Over the last eleven months I have made a more conscious effort to acknowledge the things that I do actually like about Melbourne, always with the thought in the back of my mind that I should start blogging about them.
And so I give you the first post in what may become a series of posts ... 'I like Melbourne'. Not 'I love Melbourne' because that is too strong, not 'I <3 Melbourne' because that is to cutesy, just 'I like Melbourne'.
What was it that caused this thought to finally come flying out of my mind and onto the page you ask? The scene I saw outside of my office window earlier today -
I don't know what it's for but they did at least ten takes just while we watched - the lady in blue walking from the carriage, up the steps and into the door again and again and again.
A little slowness in the hustle and bustle of the city, artistic creativity, leave slowly turning autumny and beautiful historic buildings - just some of the things that I like about Melbourne.
I absolutely and utterly applaud your recognition of making "choice" in this regard, and choosing to focus on the good. It's quite amazing to read this sentiment, I must admit, as the past 5-10 years or so has seen a huge trend in Canberra (or at least among my social milieu and that of my brother's) for everyone wanting to move to Melbourne - and I count myself as one of them (in the sense of where I want to move within Australia).
ReplyDeleteThough I don't know why you didn't go for "OMG I <3 Melbz like totez LOL one direction 4 eva!" as your title.
Can't reply properly, laughed 'til my eyes watered at the alternative title!
DeleteOkay, my composed self does want to reply sensibly to your first paragraph too ...
DeleteA large part of my mental shift over the past few months has been a recognition that my feelings about Melbourne overall are very much coloured by my 'on-the-verge-of-teenagehood' response to being hauled so far away from everything and everyone that I held dear (aside from my family of course, they made the move too). If you take that away then I can see Melbourne as a place that is indeed a lovely to live ... I would still prefer to be living somewhere less suburban but if I had to choose an Australian city to live in then it would be Melbourne (although a part of me still can't believe that I'm will to say that 'out loud').
Yeah, boy, why didn't you title it that? totes 4eva ZOMG!
DeleteWhat a lovely idea for a series! I love stopping and noticing things amongst the hustle and bustle :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, hopefully it continues. I've found the 'noticing' a lot easier since returning from our holiday last year too, something about starting to see through tourist's eyes instead of my usual ones made a huge difference to the things I see.
DeleteVery cool, whatever was being filmed below you!
ReplyDeleteI've struggled with this concept of place identity, and being content where I'm at, ever since I moved to Maine. First I lived in a small city (30,000) and all I could do was complain that it was too small and trashy (while I'm a tree person, I appreciate cultural offerings and options more than solitude). Now, I've moved to a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, and after being unemployed for four months, I'm having to work really hard to overcome my hatred of where I'm living. Granted, it's a beautiful beautiful place, and I'm very lucky to be here.
But I'm working so hard because it's very unfair on my boyfriend for me to constantly be complaining about where we live, since we moved here for his job, etc etc etc. Who wants to live with such a broken record? I've felt very distraught over the past few months, but ... hopefully something turns up soon!
One of the things that does concern me about my (as yet imaginary) move to the country is that I will then find that I miss the culture and convenience of city life. At the moment we're discussing the possibility of a compromise and moving to the far outer 'burbs so that I get my space and fresh air and The Sparky gets his conveniences. Won't be happening in the near future but, like travel, planning helps me when I'm down.
DeleteI can imagine that a lack of job would probably not help the situation, if nothing else it helps you to get to know the local community a little better. My mum's been through this recently, they moved about two and a half years ago and she didn't feel properly settled until she got a job (a couple of weeks ago). On the flip side I'm finding the looong commute into the CBD is making me feel worse about the whole situation at the moment (grass is always greener etc I suppose).
In the meantime, I'd be taking advantage of some of that fabulous scenery you have and enjoy the fresh air :)
There's someone who doesn't LOVE Melbourne. Who'd a thunk it?! As a non-Melbourne person I can understand that - LOL - but I've never met a Melbournite yet who's said they don't love it. Good on you though for deciding to get a grip! If you can be where you love then love where you are is the best motto ... and you'll probably fall in love with it all too soon!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I understand why people love Melbourne and I love a lot of the 'things' that make it a great place (coffee, cafes, coffee, entertainment, coffee, food ... even live sport isn't too bad) but I've just never liked Melbourne as a whole. But, it is where I am and that's not likely to change soon so I do need to 'get a grip' as you say and I'm hoping that being more meaningful about it helps.
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