It’s fair to say life in California is very different to here in the UK. One woman who moved to London from America’s sunny west coast has opened up about one thing she wasn’t expecting
If you’re not from the UK, there are a few things about life here which might catch you by surprise (stock image)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Moving your whole life thousands of miles to another country is always going to be an adjustment. But one woman who moved from sunny California to the UK has said she didn’t realise just how different one thing would be in her new home.
Andrea Celeste is a Californian woman who now lives in London. She has a combined following of more than 340,000 people across a number of social media platforms, where she regularly shares content about the vast differences between life in the UK and the USA.
She recently posted a video about what she described as “one of my biggest culture shocks” about moving to the UK. And it’s about something we Brits love to talk about – the weather.
“One of the biggest culture shocks I had as a Californian living in England was how early it gets dark in the winter,” she said. “When I first moved I had no idea the sun would rise as late as 8.30am and set as early as 3.30pm.
“I also hadn’t anticipated how much the limited daylight would affect me, especially coming from somewhere sunny all year round. Seasonal Affective Disorder and the lifestyle during the winter here felt completely foreign, and back home I’d never even thought about needing a light therapy lamp.”
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that usually happens in the winter, and eases in the summer months. Although the specific causes are not known, the NHS says it is thought to be linked to reduced levels of daylight.
This may cause changes to brain chemicals like melatonin and serotonin that affect your mood and your sleeping patterns, or circadian rhythm. It can be difficult to treat, although GPs may prescribe anti-depressants, while therapy may also help.
Some people also undergo light therapy, when a bright light – also called a SAD lamp or light box – is used to simulate daylight. Although there is not enough evidence to prove their effectiveness, many people find they help with SAD symptoms.
Thankfully, the clocks went forwards this weekend, meaning it will stay light until later in the evening as summer approaches.
Content cannot be displayed without consentWhat other things about life in UK were a surprise?
Andrea also outlined two other things she had been surprised by when she moved to the UK. “Another culture shock was discovering how much history surrounds you here and how accessible it all is,” she said.
“Most museums are free and organisations like English Heritage and the National Trust maintain castles and historic manors that you can actually walk through and explore. But, beyond that, history is simply everywhere in the small details like in cafes and pubs that predate the US itself.”
Andrea also hailed one of the most important elements of British culture: the art of complaining. “There’s a particular approach to complaining that’s deeply embedded in British culture,” she said.
“Rather than expressing genuine frustration, complaints tend to be understated and more matter of fact, more of an acknowledgement that something isn’t ideal than an actual grievance. Someone might complain about the weather while seeming completely unbothered, throw in a self-deprecating comment, and move on without a second thought.
“Coming from California where the default mode is relentless positivity, this was a noticeable shift. But there’s something kind of refreshing about a culture that can openly acknowledge when things aren’t perfect without any pressure to pretend otherwise.”