"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." - Maya Angelou

In month 16 of our family’s American dream... the adventures and memories are getting wilder.

April 2025 is feeling so very different from April 2024. We have a degree of predictability and familiarity, having trodden this Spring path before. The pretty cherry blossoms telling us that Winter is over and warm days are on the way. Familiar song from returning birds. The fluctuating temperatures where it’s freezing one morning and 27 degrees the next day. Whilst Washington DC looks and sounds familiar, it is feeling like a very different place. Last year felt like it was consumed with change for our household. This year we have greater stability, but the world outside our home is rocking.

The new US Administration is delivering on their promise to move fast and break the way things used to work. Whilst just over half of the country cheers, the other half weeps. It doesn’t feel like there is a lot in between, but there must be – just not in DC – a city where c. 90% of people voted for Kamala Harris as President. We’re in the political hub of the US, the epicentre of decision making to Make America Great Again and the main target for DOGE. As Musk seeks to deliver on his Government efficiencies and savings, unemployment filings in the area rose c.36% in a week (only 7% increase in the private sector) - for perspective, the DC unemployment overall is 5.3% (up from 3% in Dec). The system is being flooded with new policies and it’s hard to keep track… or perspective. The New York Times and Washington Post have even developed trackers to help those who are keen to follow. It’s a lot. Living here right now is overwhelming if you don’t manage your media notifications.

Yet, it mostly passes the kids by. They ground us in the day-to-day, the things we can control and ultimately, the things that matter most. From eating ice cream to personal bests in the swimming pool; getting picked to play for a better basketball team; planning holidays; buying a new dress for the school disco, and checking we have enough Cadburys in the house for Easter. Whilst Embassy life means we can’t escape the shifting World order, we are still focused on leaning into the amazing beauty and adventures America has to offer. We recently travelled to nearby Costa Rica where the jungle and wildlife were incredible to share with the kids – our top memory is ziplining across the Santa Elena cloudforest canopy. An upcoming trip (another!) to the Bahamas feels like much needed respite for us mixed with epic water fun. Flippers and snorkels and sturdy waterslide-appropriate swimsuits at the ready! Further ahead we’re planning our trip around Montana and Wyoming in Summer, which includes working our way through the Yellowstone TV series for research. I’m hoping we can get to California in October… and am keen to receive suggestions for Christmas and Spring.

What am I surprised by at the moment?

1. How full-on life has become again – the kids established in sports and friendship groups, my book, work, travel, fitness, friends. I never thought I’d say I miss those first few slow and empty months!

2. I’m beginning to think that soon enough, nothing will surprise me.

What am I learning?

1. It’s lovely to be working within a team again and learning new things. Having spent a lot of time looking at UK businesses and leaders, it’s interesting to focus on US ones in my new American job.

2. The importance of small joys, laughter and local friendships. I’m grateful for their grounding perspective, nourishment, encouragement and humour.

3. When there is so much noise around me, I get very distracted! I need to be much more pro-active with my focus and self-discipline or I will get nothing done. If I start the day exercising to loud pop music, I can do anything! If I start reading the news I’m doomed and lose hours I’ll never get back. Fresh air and nature are medicinal. My phone is my enemy. All notifications must be switched off!

4. There is lots in the world that I do have control over, and that’s where I should focus my time and energy. I have kids to raise, a book to write, a job to do and more travel to plan! Allowing myself to get dragged into the news is not serving me well.

5. When you’ve met one American, you’ve met… one American. As the media and general narrative appears to put Americans into two camps – those who like Trump and those who don’t, I’m constantly reminded that everyone you meet is a new individual, with their own values, reasons, motives and struggles. Polarisation is dangerous and dehumanises. We have more in common than divides us.

What am I excited about?

1. Our next family adventure… obviously! Especially getting into more cowboy country this Summer - seeing bears, and another rodeo!

2. I bought a bird table and have made some syrup for the humming birds that I hope will come.

3. I’ve written the first third of my book – it’s happening!

4. Longer days and more time outdoors with big blue skies.

5. Giving my family a big cuddle after 6 days away in the UK.

What am I grappling with?

1. Writing and finding my rhythm, alongside working, parenting and living in the epicentre of US politics. It’s hard to find a quiet mind and I need to get better at it.

2. We’re almost halfway through our time here and want to continue to squeeze everything we can out of it, yet we have already dipped our first toes back into ‘return home’ planning. We took the kids to the UK for the first time since December 2023 last month and both of us have been back separately for work since. I’m writing this in an Airbus A350 somewhere mid-Atlantic (just south of Greenland!) which feels poignant.

3. Missing too many pickleball sessions!

4. My kids are almost taller than me! Both of them!