My Day on 19th June 2024: Finding Solace in a New Routine

 My Day on 19th June 2024: Finding Solace in a New Routine

On 19th June 2024, I found myself feeling a bit bored and reflective. Before April 2024, I lived in India with my parents, always surrounded by people and the comfort of home. But since moving to London, my life has changed drastically. Adjusting hasn’t been easy—here, I don’t have many friends yet, and my husband is busy with work. For some context, I got married at 23 after finishing my B.Tech, and we moved to the UK in April after our wedding in December.

I had plans to pursue my master’s degree, but it won’t start until September, which leaves me with a lot of free time. Most days, I revise my old subjects and manage household chores—cooking, laundry, and washing dishes. Back in India, I didn’t have much responsibility in the kitchen since my mom or dad usually took care of the meals. I spent most of my time studying or working on my art.

Now, I handle everything myself, and adjusting to this new routine has been a big change. At times, the solitude at home can be frustrating. Fortunately, my brother lives in the UK too, and when I miss home, he visits, which helps me feel a bit more connected. But even with that, I realized I needed to find ways to keep myself busy.

So, I decided to start going for daily walks. Initially, it wasn’t something I enjoyed—especially since, whenever I asked my husband to go out, our walks would turn into long 4 km treks that left me exhausted and with aching legs! I figured I might as well practice walking on my own and build some endurance.

One day, during my walks, I found Pinner Village Park, about 1.5 miles from our place. It was fantastic! This are few pictures I clicked that day. One thing I truly admire about the UK is the parks—they are always so neat and well-maintained, providing a perfect spot to unwind and relax.

That evening, as I walked through the park, everything around me felt magical. The weather was perfect, the flowers were blooming, and the greenery was refreshing. The sky, painted with clouds, looked breathtaking. As I took pictures, I thought to myself, Oh my gosh, what a beauty! I hope you feel the same when you see the photos.

This park visit lifted my spirits and made me forget about my boring day. I strolled through, watching families with their children playing happily, while others sat at tables, listening to music. Seeing all this reminded me of my family and friends back home, and I couldn’t help but reflect on how quickly life had changed in just a few months.

The thought of growing up and accepting these changes—that I’m no longer surrounded by the familiar—has been tough. But I’ve come to realize that we can’t go back to the past. The only way forward is to focus on the future. For me, that means preparing for my master’s and finding a job. So, until my classes start, my routine is simple: I finish my household tasks, study, and try to keep myself occupied.

pooja mattapalli