Firstly, hello new readers *waves*, where have you all come from? It’s lovely to see you. Do sit down and have a cup of tea and a vegan cookie. Anything you want to know just ask! 
Ch-ch-changes (as Bowie would say), that’s the topic this morning. Do tell me what you think.
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Do you ever look back on your life of a year ago and wonder how so much has changed in just twelve months? Last April I had no idea I would be living in Cambridge again now. I had no idea that I would have sold my yoga business. Last April it hadn’t even really dawned on me that my life in London had started to make me unhappy. I certainly hadn’t realised how unhappy Himself had become there.
Our old house in London (the white one with the blue door, second from the left – not actually the pub)
We were in Paris for my birthday when we suddenly decided to make the move. My birthday is 6th June for all of you wanting to send presents and cards! 
In Pareeeeee! It was freezing. In June. I had all of the clothes I’d brought with me on in this photo. Also I look as though I have been superimposed.
“Let’s just do it,” Himself said as we realised how much we wanted to change our lives.
And we did.
By September we were in Cambridge. Fast workers eh?
In just three short months I sold my yoga business, found a house for us in Cambridge, organised a cross country move and managed to relocate two incredibly temperamental cats without them going insane or peeing in their crates.
However, if somebody had told me this time last year what the next twelve months had in store for me I would have panicked at the thought of it. Too much to organise, too much to co-ordinate! But when it came to actually doing it, everything was plain sailing. And here we are a year later, happier, more settled, able to afford a bigger house, and just look at the view from the back window.
All of this reminds me of the fourth of the Five Remembrances of the Buddha.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
At first glance that can be quite depressing can’t it? But if you think about it and allow yourself to accept the inevitability of change, embrace it even, life becomes full of anticipation, challenge and wonder. All that was dear to me this time last year has changed. And yet I don’t miss any of it.
What has changed in your life over the last year?
Wow! How can you remember what I said 12 months ago? I can’t even remember what I said 12 minutes ago!
What an amazing story, and it is really a testament to the power of your spirit that you were able to make so many positive changes come about. I truly believe that when you are meant to be going in a certain direction, the forces of the universe align to help you so it will be easy, or a lot easier than you think it will be. So glad that you both are now living a life where you can breathe a bit easier and enjoy yourselves. Tom and I have been having similar conversations.
That pub near your old house in London looks very familiar
This year we’re going to Paris for my birthday (1 month away!) and I can’t wait to see Shakespeare & Co again. I hope the book I liked last time (but didn’t buy) is still there.
Hope you’re having a great week xxx
Ha! Well, let me see… this time last year I was unemployed, almost broke, still in the merciless grip of a depression that had me thinking suicidal thoughts… and I was in a Hatha Yoga Studies course, before I switched mid-year into the full on teacher training course!
And now, I have a job, I’m a yoga teacher, I’ve kicked depression (and PTSD) in the ass, and I’m beginning to feel so much happiness and joy from within – no need for external reasons to be happy. BIG changes.
Just like moving – and I’ve done plenty of that too. I love the photo of your London house, by the way. Gorgeous! And I can understand why you’d suddenly realise that living in the big city isn’t so good for your happiness levels. So much stress, so much busy-ness. So congrats on making such a huge move!
Cambridge is actually one part of the UK I never managed to get to in my whirlwind road trip tour. But your photos suggest I may have missed out!
Change is… inevitable. I’ve kinda stopped planning too strenuously until it seems like it’s the right thing to do. I’ve learned from one too many experiences now that it’s better to bend like an elm tree in the wind that attempt to withstand the forces of nature!
Svasti, that’s an amazing story. Thank you for sharing it.
And if you ever happen to find yourself in Cambridge again, there will be a vegan cookie with your name on
Thank you so much for your story. Found you through Jenna’s site…I just finished Teacher Training but am not teaching with it now ….not really sure what I want to do. I’m very lost in life, I hate my job and am unsatisfied, but switching to another job isn’t going to change that – because it’s still the same work….I want a new career path/change…the only things I know that I really enjoy are writing, reading, blogging
…nutrition, health info…etc….so that doesn’t get me far. And, sure there are lots of other jobs to take if I quit mine…but none pay nearly as well…and after years of schooling…my debt is enormous 
…
What is it you are doing now in Cambridge?? Did you move for a higher-paying job? Is it much different from London?
So glad I found you
I LOVE that bookstore!!
What a lovely story of change, and how wonderful that you and Himself made it happen together. 
The last 12 months have only been the start of change for me, for us. Last year, at this time of the year, I had been practicing yoga for a little while and felt I needed (yes, needed) to delve deeper. Last year at this time of the year my practice really took off. This year, I will be starting my YTTC in September, with a first Foundation week-end in July.
Last year, at this time of the year, my job left me frustrated and unsatisfied. I had an idea of what I wanted to do but it was a very blurry vision. This year, I am in the middle of a short management course (4 months, evening classes), and I have finally found what, or rather who, I want to be. It will take a while, several years, before I get there, but I will. I am still in the same job while I am training, but I am considering quitting to try and gain experience in the field I want to work in, along with the training and courses I will be taking, I am not sure yet.
The last 12 months were just the beginning, the 12 months to come will see change take off, and the 24 months after I will be getting there
Hi, I bopped over here from EcoYogini’s blog one day and your blog has been a favorite since, so thanks! I loved this post, it’s funny how sometimes you don’t even notice all the changes that may have happened over time until you take a minute to reflect. My physical life hasn’t changed to much over the last year, maybe a little more organized and pleasant but that’s really due to the inward changes I have been through. Much of it thank to my yoga practice and reading and a ton of it thanks to my new blog friends (I don’t write one, just enjoy others). I can’t say how I came across EcoYogini’s blog 4 or 5 months ago, I don’t think I even knew what a blog was. However I stumbled upon this blogging world I am thankful, I have learned so much. Thank you for taking the time to open your life to your readers and congratulations on your positive changes!
Yay for you! I love the view from your backyard. It takes courage to make that leap, but it is usually worth it.
It’s so crazy – has this year been especially tumultuous (in good ways) or what??
I had just started my blog in March 2009, and had just booked my first trip abroad (also to Paris, as you know). B and I had broken up for the second time last January, as we were having a really hard time deciding if we could make a go of it. That didn’t stop us from going to Paris together, though!
Since then, we got back together, moved in together, I quit subbing, opened 5 Seed, started pursuing writing on the internet (my truest dream)… Now that I think about it, I can hardly recognize who I was a year ago.
Wow!
I love your blog oh so much <3
I love your photos!
Lets see…a year ago I was gearing up for my first yoga training with Stephanie for the 5 day Vinyasa. I had no idea it would eventually unfold to me graduating from her 230 hour training this May. No Way!
Work has been up and down and all around. To where I am now working from home a few days a week.
Our home is relatively the same though
I wish I had the guts to take the leap! Kudos to you! Maybe in the next 12 months : )
I have had an extreme amount of change in the past 12 mos…moving to a new state, new job, new friends (trying to make them), bought real estate, the daily changes of child rearing..and none of it is ever “done”. I am so impressed by your story and that you werent happy, so you made changes so you could find more happiness!
you may know it.. but 12 months= 30 states (in the states), 4 countries, and traveling via bike, car, plane, and foot. and, finally, a new home, too!
Such a great post. And I’m glad you’re so happy with your new life in Cambridge.
Last year around this time I had recently finished taking the Colorado bar exam. I decided to enroll in yoga teacher training. Everyone thought I was crazy to sign up for something else after four years of evening law school (which I did while working full-time, so it was pretty intense), but I had been wanting to do it for years. So glad I did!
Hello there!
I guess quite a lot has changed in the last 12-18 months: I’ve adopted a vegan diet, which has changed my life in many ways, and discovered/developed an addiction to yoga. Alson, I’ve gone back to university as a mature student to pursue a complete career change (now doing my nursing training). I love how life has these surprises
[...] ::Reflect with Suburban Yogini [...]
Very fitting to a quote that stuck with me yesterday:
“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.” Charlie Chaplin
Such a great post. And I’m glad you’re so happy with your new life in Cambridge.
Last year around this time I had recently finished taking the Colorado bar exam. I decided to enroll in yoga teacher training. Everyone thought I was crazy to sign up for something else after four years of evening law school (which I did while working full-time, so it was pretty intense), but I had been wanting to do it for years. So glad I did!