One Pause, Many Lessons: Travels, New Home, Little Experiment and Rethinking Social Media

From packing boxes to mountain roads, from no-makeup days to Monte Carlo – here’s everything I learned while living offline for a while.

It has been a while since my last post — and many of you kindly asked if everything was alright. My dears, I am not just alright, I am wonderfully fine. In fact, so much life has happened since we last spoke.

Back in March, I had the pleasure of a visit from my dear friend and photographer. We spent days drinking far too much coffee, talking about everything and nothing, and — as happens when two women sit long enough with a camera and too much time to think — we started to question things. Life, dreams, work, and yes, even that strange little world called Social Media.

It was beautiful, refreshing, and soul-shaking in the best way. But those conversations made me realize something. We are all — myself included — putting an extraordinary amount of effort into this digital life. We scroll, we post, we comment, we “connect” — yet somewhere in all of that, our real lives quietly slip by.

And if I’m completely honest (which, at this age, is the only way I want to live), most of what I see online no longer interests me. I feel like I’ve seen it all. And then came the next thought: perhaps my own content isn’t very interesting either. After all, I’m not sharing groundbreaking knowledge or spiritual revelations — just pictures of myself and small glimpses of my life. Lovely? Yes. Life-changing? Hardly. And so I asked myself: why continue?

My Social Media Break

So I made a decision — a very easy, very freeing decision — to let Instagram grow quiet. No drama, no guilt, just space. And it felt so, so good. I didn’t miss it, not for a second. Perhaps it’s because, truthfully, I’m not much of a scroller anyway. Maybe it’s my generation, maybe just my nature — but my days are already full. I have work to do, a family to care for, a house that doesn’t run itself, a dog who insists on walks, and about a thousand little tasks that are far more rewarding than counting likes.

And you know what? The pause did me good. I now believe it’s far better to post less often but with something thoughtful, meaningful, and worth reading — than to add more noise to an already noisy world. Life is meant to be lived — in real kitchens, with real people, with moments that smell like coffee and rain — not just compressed into perfect squares for strangers we will never meet.

Of course, this is only my personal philosophy. If social media brings you joy, or is your livelihood, then keep sharing! But if it leaves you tired, hollow, and scrolling endlessly with nothing to show for it, then I gently suggest: put the phone down, step outside, feel the sun, take a walk, call someone who loves you. This clarity came to me after my friend’s visit — she quietly opened my eyes. And then, life did what it always does — it kept moving.

Suddenly, We Were Dreaming Of Change

Shortly after my friends visit, we went on a family holiday, where the dreamy boho-beach atmosphere turned us into philosophers (or maybe interior designers!) overnight. Suddenly, me and my husband, were dreaming of change — rethinking our home, our habits, our life, end of the day we are living already 8 years with no any big changes. We felt ready for something new, something we could look forward to as a family, something that would spark fresh energy. And then, as life tends to do, it surprised us.

Little by little, situations aligned until we found ourselves looking for a new home. At first, we were shocked — the market had changed so much since we last searched that my jaw practically hit the floor. Homes were smaller, layouts stranger, and I wondered if we would ever find a place that felt right.

But then it happened. I walked into a house not far from where we were living — and I fell in love. Actually, we all did. It felt like stepping into a little pocket of magic: a beautiful garden with tall, wise trees, a cozy yet elegant layout, and — believe it or not — even bigger than our previous villa, with two extra rooms and elegant courtyard with water features, how romantic. Even our dog had that unmistakable “this is it” look on her face — and trust me, this lady is very picky.

We had lived for over eight years in a very modern, very Dubai-style house, and while it was stunning, we realized we were craving something different — something greener, cosier, something that made us feel a little more like we were back in Europe. Our old villa was gorgeous, but so much space was wasted because of its layout, and we were ready for something that felt like home in a warmer, softer way.

Not easy decision had to be taken

But here’s the plot twist — just shortly before we found this house, we had already planned our long 4-month holiday trip. (Yes it is possible, because we homeschool — and yes, this year I pushed like a crazy woman to get everything finished two months earlier so we could take this big trip. Freedom is the best part of homeschooling, and for me, it’s absolutely essential.)

So there we were, deciding whether to take the house, replant half of my beloved garden, pack up an entire home, and move… all just shortly before leaving for four months of travels.

You can probably imagine the chaos. I was running around with garden gloves in one hand, packing tape in the other, and a big smile on my face (okay, maybe not always a smile — sometimes a “don’t talk to me right now” face). But we did it! Somehow, we moved in, replanted everything with help of 6 gardeners I am not kidding, and then — off we went — on the most incredible European adventure in a motorhome.

Our Europe Trip

The whole idea behind this trip was actually very simple: our daughter is now 11, and we thought this is the perfect age to show her the world — or at least a good part of Europe. Growing up in the Middle East, she knows this part of the world quite well, and although we visit Europe regularly, we wanted to go deeper — to show her most of the countries, cities, and cultures before (let’s be honest) Europe turns into complete madness.

And I have to say — it really was the perfect time. We had an absolutely amazing trip. We rented a completely new, very large mobile home (and yes, I’m mentioning this for a reason: this is my official tip of the year — rent the biggest mobile home possible for such a long trip. Space is happiness. Trust me on this one!)

We had magical mornings in the mountains, lazy afternoons by lakes, and sunsets so beautiful they almost looked staged for Instagram. We visited many of what feels like every “must-see” city, ate in countless charming cafés, and admired history, culture, and architecture until our heads were spinning. And the weather — oh, the weather! The sun followed us faithfully every single day, as if it knew that I am terrified of the cold. We were very, very lucky; this summer in Europe was incredible literally everywhere!

But here comes the funny (and slightly humbling) part — traveling with an 11-year-old girl in 2025 is… well, let’s just say… a social experiment. While we were passionately explaining the glorious history of Florence, she was passionately explaining the latest Roblox gossip to us. While we stood at the top of a mountain saying, “Look how stunning this view is!” she was saying, “Do you think there’s Wi-Fi here?”

Don’t get me wrong — she did enjoy the trip. She was curious and had her moments of wonder, but my advice to anyone considering a grand European road trip with a preteen: think twice. They might prefer to hang out with their friends (or at least their phone) instead of spending 24/7 with two philosopher-parents like me and my husband. We wanted to have long talks about history, art, and architecture, and she… well, she tried to look interested, but we could see that her mind was clearly somewhere else.

We laughed about it a lot — and honestly, these little contrasts made the trip even more memorable.

And Me? Oh boy ... I Also Learned My Personal Lesson.

Remember how we fell in love with that boho-clean lifestyle on our previous holiday? Well, that little love affair with minimalism completely conspired against me — and somehow pushed us to make all these dramatic life changes. Not only did we move houses, but I also, I very dramatically, decided to “switch my lifestyle.”

Yes, my friends, the grand lesson of 2025: after years of being a proper fashion diva, I decided it was time to see how it feels on the other side. You know — to be that natural, no-makeup, humble, down-to-earth woman. (Instagram swears it’s liberating, right?)

And to be fair, during the move — swapping houses, hauling plants in 40°C heat, and trying to create a new garden from scratch — it actually felt good. I was too busy to dress up, too sweaty to wear makeup, and honestly… I was secretly proud of my messy “working girl” bun.

So, completely blinded by my new-found happiness and this fresh “simplified me,” I packed for our big four-month trip without makeup, without fancy outfits and — wait for it — without my beloved Dyson hairdryer. Yes, my friends, I went fully au naturel.

And oh Yes… I was wrong.

The first week was fine — after all, we were living the road trip dream, right? But then, somewhere between the Swiss mountains and the Italian lakes, I started noticing things. Everyone around us was also makeup-free, dressed in practical "kind of hiking" clothes, very… natural. And suddenly, it all felt so dull. Not because people weren’t beautiful — they were — but because no one seemed to make the slightest effort to look radiant.

And then came my big wake-up call. One afternoon I heard myself actually gossiping about others, “Why does everyone look so boring? Where are all the glamorous women hiding?! The hiking clothes everyone wears here are a disgrace.” And then it hit me like a truck: I looked exactly the same. 🙈

Let me tell you — I did not feel good about it. My hair was permanently in a bun, my outfits were too simple, and the “natural me” was clearly not the happiest me. Suddenly, I started longing for my lipstick, my mascara, my heels, my silk blouses — even my Dyson! And right then and there, I regretted my brave decision to leave it all behind.

Hmm, I know — I was on a road trip in a mobile home, everything was “fine”… but actually, not really. Everyone around me was perfectly content with the natural, practical vibe — but deep down, I knew: this is not me.

This little experiment had to end. Fashion has been a part of me for as long as I can remember — it’s practically in my DNA. My grandmother was a true grand dame, the kind of woman who knew exactly what was appropriate for every occasion. She was my inspiration, my style compass, and I can still hear her voice so clearly. Whenever I came back from an event, she would ask, “My darling, how was it? Were you the prettiest one there?” And I would blush and say, “Oh, Granny, no, why do you ask?” And she would just raise an eyebrow and reply, “If not, then why did you even go?”

And now, I finally get it. She wasn’t just talking about vanity — she was talking about effort. About showing respect for yourself and for others by looking and feeling your best. Clothes do make people. And makeup? Well, lucky you if you don’t need it — but I certainly do. I look better, I feel better, and at my age, a little creativity (and a little mascara) never hurt anyone. I am, after all, an artist — and a bit of paint is simply part of my process.

So yes — lesson learned. By the time we reached Monte Carlo, I was back. The old me. The real me. With slightly more luggage trailing behind me, slightly less money in my bank account (Monte Carlo has that effect), but who cares? I got what I needed to feel like myself again. I was happy, I felt alive, and I was ready to shine.

So, we traveled. We saw incredible places, ticked off some long-held wishes, and visited places we have already been before but also some we had always dreamed about. It was truly a wonderful, unforgettable holiday. And I suppose now you understand my social media silence — I was simply busy living life (and let’s be honest, if you’re living it fully, who has time for Instagram?). Just kidding… a little. 😉

But — and here comes my honesty again — it was also long trip. I started missing home, my animals, my new house waiting to be decorated, and that simple peace of doing absolutely nothing. We spent the first part of the trip in the mobile home, the second part in hotels — and let me tell you, nothing in this world beats your good old bed at home.

We were back, just in time for the start of school. I am back in my garden, was decorating the house the entire month now, putting the finishing touches, creating my new photo studio — which, by the way, is even better than the previous one. Life feels good again. 

We had a fabulous family time, and we all learned a lot from this trip. I learned that our daughter is in that magical age where we, her parents, are officially too much, too embarrassing, and too boring — which, of course, me and my husband absolutely enjoy, because we love to be exactly that. At least we all have something to laugh about.

And me? Well, I am now 47 and I got my personal life lesson: I am who I am. I love “wasting” time dressing up, wearing heels, putting on makeup, and styling my hair exactly how I like it. It’s not just vanity — it’s joy, it’s art, it’s self-expression, and it’s me. Somewhere up there, my grandmother is watching, nodding in approval, and reminding me to keep her legacy alive.

So yes, my dears — I am back, with the last message to all of you: traveling is great, but from a certain age, it's simply overrated. I have seen everything, I have been to many places, but there is nothing more satisfying than being back home with my loved ones, with my animals, and in my own bed. So if you didn’t have the chance to travel yourself, do not worry. I did it for you. I was there, I have seen it, and I want to tell you, you didn’t miss much. Be happy for every day you are living on this earth. Every place is the same; everywhere are people like you, full of dreams and hard work. Some places are beautiful, some less, but the best part is your own space, your own everyday life, which should make you happy, not somewhere far away. Your home is where your family is. 

I hope to become more active in sharing my thoughts and ideas with you. Let's discover what life has in store for me. I have a lot on my mind, with numerous ideas and projects, but there are only 24 hours in a day. We will see how well I manage my time.

Yours, again back in Stilettos,

Henrieta