Why I Got Rid of Everything and Moved to France

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  • Опубліковано 29 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 51

  • @helenawoods
    @helenawoods  2 роки тому +15

    Hello kindred spirits! 🦋Alex launched his UA-cam channel and blog today!! Dedicated to his love for France, teaching and helping others move abroad. Be sure to let him know what you think of it on his channel here bit.ly/3XDcE9S ✨☀ His blog is up and live at movetofranceandteachenglish.com/ 🇫🇷❤

  • @流浪漢パリ
    @流浪漢パリ 2 роки тому +4

    You were right! At 14, despite a gloomy, grey Paris Summer, I decided move to France. At 19, I was able to: never regretted my palm trees, daily Sun, ever since. And when I miss the sea shore, got plenty of it here.

  • @marthaspeaks
    @marthaspeaks 2 роки тому +18

    You're such a supportive wife. I'm at the verge of moving to France from Nigeria. I'm also very much interested in teaching English in France.

    • @helenawoods
      @helenawoods  2 роки тому +2

      how wonderful!! I'm so excited for you and your journey Martha! 🤗

  • @SamFournier
    @SamFournier 2 роки тому +13

    I’m so excited to see the transition in your channel. I’m all for connecting to source and being one with nature🌲 thrilled to see what you’ll share. Also a big Congrats to Alex, I’ll have to follow along with his journey and definitely let others know about his channel… it will help so many! 2023 looks like it’s off to a good start.

  • @Prizzy999
    @Prizzy999 2 роки тому +5

    So much wisdom dear Helena!
    I'm 52 and I'm happier than ever because like you I don't let things define who I am. I have very few friends as I left some behind and have no regrets, can't stand negativity and anger around me, and I live a very simple life made of simple joys and small pleasures that I make sure I treat myself to everyday.
    I'd like to move to another european country in the future, we'll see, I always go wihh the flow and live in the present.
    Thanks so much for your videos and words, so special, I'll check Alex's channel out❤❤❤ too!

  • @aestheticsilence
    @aestheticsilence 2 роки тому +5

    I needed to hear this today...going through so much here in USA with living situation, college, friends and family...thanks for posting this.

  • @katieannabella3337
    @katieannabella3337 2 роки тому +12

    I love what you said about how we are not defined by where we live or the people around us. I was just reading about how true freedom is using our own conscience and not the conscience of a group of others…living in the community I do, that’s been really hard. For most of my life it feels like I’ve lived in a dictatorship “This is how to please God, this is what we do as a church, fellowship or family…” and I long so much to just be myself. To be let go of things and words spoken over me and to be truly free. Thanks for the reminder. 💗

  • @rcdriver107
    @rcdriver107 2 роки тому +3

    Love Helena's perspective, wise words, and her luggage!!

  • @ladyquinn2559
    @ladyquinn2559 2 роки тому +1

    "It is in the unknown, in the uncertainty that we are actually the most free." Love this.

  • @jm64745
    @jm64745 2 роки тому +2

    So inspirational! Still reflecting on ‘we crave a challenge more than comfort’ and I think that’s true for me as well ❤

  • @peggymurphy6747
    @peggymurphy6747 2 роки тому +2

    I look forward to the new direction your channel is moving in. I’ve always watched you for the spirituality focus, so this is a welcome change!

  • @carmenn5609
    @carmenn5609 2 роки тому +2

    Congrats to you both! Congrats Alex, will be heading to your channel soon! You both are amazing!

  • @MoniquefromTheNetherlands
    @MoniquefromTheNetherlands 2 роки тому +2

    How exciting and fantastic that Alex now has his own UA-cam channel 👏🏻👍🏻
    I'll will follow him. I am not an American myself and I do not intend to go to France. But who knows what he will come up with for Tips that will be of use to me in the future.
    I'm already looking forward to all your new vlogs and what you're going to focus on. Sounds fantastic and will be fantastic. Your vlogs are always beautiful 💖✨

  • @persephone213
    @persephone213 2 роки тому +2

    So great to see you both following your callings. 💖

  • @ninajhun228
    @ninajhun228 Рік тому

    Hello - great video that I returned to after many months away from not watching. The honestly of moving abroad is refreshing and giving a nice look outward of what one's life can become with courage and boldness within. Thank you.

  • @Karen-nq8du
    @Karen-nq8du 2 роки тому +3

    Hey Helena. This is nothing appropos to this video (which I love!) but I want to thank you for recommending Michael Singer's book, "The Untethered Soul". I have read it beginning to end and over and over in bits and pieces since I purchased it in December 2021. I dip into it almost every day and have learned to soothe my soul in ways I've never imagined. Thank You! Thank you! Thank you!
    xo karen

  • @stevek3248
    @stevek3248 2 роки тому +4

    Great video as usual! Thanks for the inspiration & wisdom! Experiences in life matter much more than possessions.

    • @helenawoods
      @helenawoods  2 роки тому

      Such freedom in that! 🕊 Thank you 🤗

  • @KristenMelissa
    @KristenMelissa 2 роки тому +1

    I'm so excited for the next chapter of your channel! ✨️💖🤗 I know it will be wonderful because you are so in tune with following your intuition. Also, how fun to see Alex starting his own channel! I'm sure he has a wealth of knowledge to share. I'll go check that out right now. 😊 Congratulations to you both!

  • @LiveFree123
    @LiveFree123 2 роки тому +1

    Loved this video. I’ve subscribed to Alex’s channel and watched his videos. So good, and I wish you both great success in all your endeavors.❤️💙

  • @fablesreveries6223
    @fablesreveries6223 Рік тому

    Thinking about moving to france too and I am so glad you shared your experience, it really helps me see all my fears with a new perspective. So a huge thanks to you. Just want to say also that you remind me so much of Eilis in the movie Brooklyn. Love your style and your vibe !

  • @hangingwithjen
    @hangingwithjen 2 роки тому

    Excited to see what's in store for your channel... and will definitely give Alex's vlog a peek!

  •  Рік тому

    Such stunning video Helena

  • @TheSonoranCottage
    @TheSonoranCottage 2 роки тому +1

    Excited for the direction of the channel ❤

    • @helenawoods
      @helenawoods  2 роки тому

      me too!!! it feels so right ❤ Thank you for the support, lovely 🤗

  • @merryfergie
    @merryfergie 2 роки тому

    Helena your shift is focus feels good to me.
    I imagine your love of france & travel will sneak through what ever your content focus.

    • @helenawoods
      @helenawoods  2 роки тому

      Thank you for your support!! ❤ Yes, my love for France (and most definitely traveling in general) will shine through in the footage! 🦋🥰

  • @melissamaloo6646
    @melissamaloo6646 2 роки тому

    Love the new direction Helena! really looking forward to seeing your videos

  • @RiddimKingdom
    @RiddimKingdom Рік тому

    So beautifully worded

  • @luisv7117
    @luisv7117 2 роки тому +1

    I did the same thing I know the feeling but is hard to adapt

    • @joannakuchta278
      @joannakuchta278 2 роки тому

      I agree.I live in Scotland for 15 years but I miss my Poland so much.I love my country soooo much....

  • @zlanaya
    @zlanaya Рік тому

    same experience on a recent trip to France; not the ring though.

  • @TheEmpressgoth
    @TheEmpressgoth 2 роки тому

    Thank you 😊 💓 ☺

  • @agl5132
    @agl5132 Рік тому

    I moved back to Europe 5 yrs ago. I was born in Europe although we moved to the states when I was a child. I've always been a solo traveler for 35+ yrs. I've been traveling for the past several years with my dog so slow travel works for me. I had my Astro chart done recently and I'm heading to France next. In another video, you mentioned a town near you that has many ex-pats and very hippy/dippy I think are the words you used 😉☮ I'm a writer and think that would suit me just fine 😅Can you tell me the name of the town and I will look to see if it is one of the spots for me in France that I have listed. Now I am off to check out Alex's channel.

  • @cestsibonlavie
    @cestsibonlavie Рік тому

    Hi Helena, I like how you created the videos.
    Can English teacher's job support both of your living cost in France? Just wondering if you are ever worried to find a job in France? And how did you learn French? Thank you for sharing.

  • @mabelsto.domingo1824
    @mabelsto.domingo1824 2 роки тому +2

    If we do not identify with a country, with a race, with a religion ( great to know your origin but not letting it define you and if you are in loving allowance for people that have different belief from yours) but feel our oneness with all, I think peace will be a natural outcome.

  • @gilborges5742
    @gilborges5742 6 місяців тому

    I feel the same way mon Amie

  • @freijabeijne8958
    @freijabeijne8958 2 роки тому +1

    You say i am energie and with that I really wonder how you feel about the people who passed away. Do you believe that there energie is still with us?

  • @river-who7578
    @river-who7578 2 роки тому

    beautiful channel .

  • @marthaspeaks
    @marthaspeaks 2 роки тому

    Wow ❤️❤️❤️

  • @yenzarewoody6070
    @yenzarewoody6070 Рік тому

    OMG just found your YT again..

  • @scottjones1109
    @scottjones1109 2 роки тому +2

    Surely, in moving to France, you left a loving family who mattered to you and you mattered to.
    Parents, siblings, extended family, & life long friends.
    If I'm not being too personally intrusive, how has that part of the equation worked out?

    • @helenawoods
      @helenawoods  2 роки тому +9

      Not a part of the equation. I'm an only child, grew up in a dysfunctional household and I'm not close to my family. I had lived alone in NYC for 5 years and left all my family when I moved across the country at 18. So, family-wise not an issue. My husband and my best friends are my family. I talk to them on the phone a lot and I see them when they visit or I visit. Some people feel that a connection is missed when you don't see each other in person - I do not. I'm highly independent and do not depend on people to give me happiness or a sense of love. Phone calls are what keep the connections strong. 🥰 That's the simple answer lol. The main answer though is much deeper and hard to put into words: I'm not attached to people, things, or places because of my deep spiritual faith, Buddhist outlook on life and strong connection with life, presence and my intution.

    • @helenawoods
      @helenawoods  2 роки тому +7

      and not too personally instrusive at all! It's a great question! For some, leaving family is very difficult ❤

    • @scottjones1109
      @scottjones1109 2 роки тому

      @@helenawoods Your family dysfunction must have been quite remarkable for you, as an only child, to depart permanently from your family at so precocious an age - but it sounds like you've become attached to a husband and friends who have successfully replaced your problematic family of origin.
      And you're a Buddhist.
      The most reasonable, and the kindest, of all the religions,

  • @melaniezette886
    @melaniezette886 Рік тому

    French loves comfort and the place we were born, just the opposite 🤦‍♂️

  • @NateshasAmbience
    @NateshasAmbience 2 роки тому

    Helena, one of your sweet viewers asked how you left your loving family behind. Your reply resonated with me! I had a violent, abusive upbringing...highly dysfunctional. I guess there really is a silver lining to every cloud! Who would've thought coming from an unpleasant childhood had its perks?!
    Because I don't have the family ties most people do, I was able to easily move halfway across the country. And I stay away for years at a time. Now, I can see that my past was a blessing in disguise! It gave me the freedom to live life on my terms without the remorse and sadness separation brings. It’s like the past put me in the position to find my own happiness. 🤔 The things that were supposed to be detrimental ended up working out for my good. 😮
    Wow, your response really opened my eyes! I can see the big picture, and I absolutely love it!!! What an epiphany! I am in total awe now! 😮🥲❤✨