Being Proud Of Where I Come From

*This post contain PR samples. Please see the end of the post for more details.


We all come from different corners of the world. There are 7 continents, 195 countries, 25 million cities, 2.5 billion towns. We all come from one of each. I live in Europe, Wales, Newport and an area called Ringland.


They say that home is where the heart is. I totally agree with that - but it doesn't have to be where you are actually from. Home should be a place where you feel safe, comfortable and more importantly, happy. For a while, I was so unhappy living in Newport. After travelling solo to a few places around the UK, I started to doubt as to whether I was born in the wrong city. Before the pandemic, I became a lot more adventurous and wanted to explore different places, I felt like getting out of Newport was more like an escape rather than a break. 


I went through a phase where I criticised and slagged off my home town from a hole to a pole. That's not right. I should be proud of where I come from, not be ashamed of it. 


What this pandemic has made me see that Newport is a good city. It's full of good uns. It does have it's nice parts. There are lovely places to visit, not just the Transporter Bridge or Tredegar House. I should be praising my home town. 


I remember chatting to another blogger a couple of years back, she told me that she passed through Newport once when she was visiting Wales and told me how boring the city was. I just LOL'ed with her and just went along with the banter. Come to think of it now, not only was she rude about my home city, it makes me mad to think that she had the nerve to say that to me! 



I look back on that chat with embarrassment. The fact that I agreed with her was totally wrong and shameful of me. I should never be ashamed of the home city that I have grown up in. I have fond memories of living in Newport. I've always said that I would love to live in Liverpool (my happiest of happy places) and do my own thing up there. But when it comes down to it, I'm not sure I would have the heart to leave Newport. Mainly because my friends and family live here and that support network wouldn't be around if I moved away by myself. Obviously, if the circumstances were right and I felt confident enough to, I would move. But for now, I'm happy to stay here and be proud of where I come from. 


One quote I saw online which really hit me was this -


"You wouldn't be the person you are without the place you grew up"


Gets you right there doesn't it?



So yes, I've learnt to be proud of where I come from, even if my home town or city doesn't have much to offer, it's been a part of my life since I was born. I have family and friends who live here, my city has history, my city has some good natured people living here. Without knowing it, I may have had a positive impact on my city in a way which I may not know. I need to remember that. 



For those wondering, this canvas was sent to me from Photowall, a company selling custom wallpapers and prints. After scrolling through their many, colourful and vibrant prints, I realised that they did city outline wallpapers and prints. I knew that I wanted one of Newport to put in my bedroom! If you fancy getting a city outline print or any other kind of print from Photowall, use the code lucymary25 (all in lowercase) to get 25% off your next purchase, this code only lasts a month so get in quick, an item from Photowall would make the perfect gift for someone!





I'd love to know where you guys are from!



*This canvas was sent to me from Photowall in exchange for a blog post/social media coverage. All city views are my own. For more information, please read my disclaimer.
76 comments
  1. I no longer live in my home town but I am fiercely protective of it! I love this print, it looks great along side your other frames.

    I have never visited Newport but I can't imagine having the balls to be horrible about someone else's home town!! I'd go nuts x

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    1. I love it Claire, it's such amazing quality and it was so easy to build! Oh I know, I would never criticise someone else's hometown, it's just so rude! x

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  2. I live in Canterbury, and apart from the fact it will take me many years to afford a house here, I actually enjoy it a lot. I've lived here the majority of my life, and I'm comfortable here. I have considered moving to Wales though, it seems much nicer than here in the South East! x

    Emily | emiliamarlowe.co.uk

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    1. That's great to hear that you are happy in Canterbury Emily, yeah Wales does it have it's good sides! x

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  3. I live about 10-15 minutes from my home town, in a cute little village. I love home but almost wish I lived up north as you get more for your money. x

    Zoey | www.zoeyolivia.com

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    1. Oh absolutely Zoey, you would definitely get more for your money living up North! x

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  4. I love this post so much! When I was in my late teens, I really slagged off where I was from and now I look back and think why did I say that? I adore where I live, I live on the Kent coast and honestly, it's a dream, I never want to move anywhere else x

    http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you Della! That's so great to hear that you love where you live! Like you, I used to slag off where I'm from but I'm proud of it now! x

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  5. I honestly know what you mean, my hometown is where my heart is.

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

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    1. They say home is where the heart is don't they x

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  6. I love this post! I think that being proud of where you are from is really important- wherever you're from- and I loved reading your thoughts about your hometown :)

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    1. Thank you lovely! Yeah it most definitely is, being proud of where you're from and your roots is so important x

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  7. That's a really beautiful print! I love that quote too. I've never been particularly proud of where I've grown up but now I've read that, it's made me think! x

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    1. The print is amazing isn't it?! Like you Jenny, I was never a real fan of where I grew up, but it's surprising how my views have changed over time x

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  8. This is such a lovely post and that print is gorgeous, I grew up in the country and recently moved back. Secretly I will always be a country girl at heart x

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  9. Such a lovely post and I love that print! I've always quite liked where I'm from and definitely prefer it to where my university is as it's a much nicer place!

    Tash

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    1. Thank you Tash! That's great to hear that you are happy where you live now!

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  10. Okay, this is such a lovely post. I'm yet to reach that point where I appreciate my hometown, I'd probably still join in if someone was being negative about it. But I love that you've changed your views about yours. Your print looks absolutely gorgeous, I love the style! x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. That's honest of you to say Sophie, I used to be like that when someone was being negative about my hometown, I joined in with the negative banter. Hopefully your views will change over time! It's such a lovely print isn't it?! x

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  11. I have worked with Photowall around 3 years ago and I chose a print of London skyline as I loved London skyline. You have chosen a great print that reminds you of fond memories. Thank you for sharing.

    Lauren

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    1. Ah I bet that print is brilliant to look at Lauren!

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  12. I really enjoyed this post Lucy! It's so important to appreciate where you've come from because, as you said, your hometown really does help make you who you are today. I've always loved being from Liverpool, and I think moving away for university made me appreciate home even more now that I've graduated and moved back :)

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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    1. Thank you Faye! I can imagine that being at uni in a different city would have made you appreciated Liverpool more x

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  13. Such a lovely post! While I now live in London, my hometown wasn't exactly desirable but I've come to love it and it's little quirks and almost enjoy telling people about my hometown! This is such a lovly print to celebrate your home too :)
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah! That's good that you enjoy telling people about your hometown now x

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  14. This is a lovely posy Lucy! Since I've moved away from home and been away 6+ years now, I've found that I genuinely appreciate the same time I spend at home more, and I enjoy the place more. Thanks for sharing x

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    1. Thank you Kayleigh! It must be hard to live far away from home and I bet you make the most of the time you spend at home! x

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  15. I adore your style of writing - it flows beautifully and has a cosy and relatable vibe to it if that makes sense. You're totally right about not forgetting where you come from. Not everyone comes from a nice area, but where we come from helps shape who we are today and we shouldn't be embarrassed if that place is a area of poverty for example. No matter where you come from we've all faced hurdles and overcome them: there's pride in that. Home is home. Good or bad it usual provides comfort and some happy memories.

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    1. Aww Emma thank you so much! Compliments like that mean so much to me! You're right lovely, we may not come from the nicest places in the world, but they do shape us into who we are today! Like you said, home is home!

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  16. I live in a fairly built up place - it's like 3/4 towns but one area as well. However, it's not a city and sure it can look nice and has some nice things about it, but there's not alot of opportunity here. I am planning on moving away in the next year (max). I've experienced people that live here slag it off, or even slag off other places... and I just think - well some people have purchased property here? If you hate it so much, just leave. Also, people will slag off other places, when it's not that great here, makes me laugh. Each to their own, but be honest with yourself and what you want. I've lived here my whole life and I'm excited to see what other places have to offer - worst case scenario you can always come back, if you are intrigued with somewhere else, you should totally go for it xx

    Hayley || hayleyxmartin

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    1. That's a good perspective to look at things Hayley, maybe I will make the move one day, but for now, I'm content with being in my hometown xx

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  17. This was really interesting! Your home roots will always be your home roots and I think it is important to embrace it!

    https://www.emilyclareskinner.com

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  18. I love the print, the quote is really nice too. I live in Barnsley, South Yorkshire and I've never been a massive fan of my home town either but it does actually have some great redeeming features. I live in a small village and there are some gorgeous countryside walks right on my doorstep.

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    1. Thank you Lauren! I bet it's lovely to have the countryside on your doorstep! x

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  19. This was a lovely read super interesting thank you for sharing! I have never really been a fan of my home town but I love where I am at Uni I think I want to move here!

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    1. That's good that the town you're going to uni in is a town you could see yourself live in!

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  20. I have lived in a few different places but always come back to the place I was born. I too slag it off but I don't think I would rather live anywhere else. Also, that wall print is so pretty! I will be having a look to see if I can get one of my home town too.

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    1. I think at some point we've all slagged off our hometowns but we still love them in our own way! I'm sure Photowall will have a photo outline of your hometown Sarah x

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  21. This is a great reminder. I grew up in a small area a few hours north of where I am living now. While I fully admit that there is a lot more that I can do here in the place that I currently call home, I'd be lying if I said that there isn't part of me that misses where I grew up. It will always hold a piece of my heart.

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    1. I'm sure it will always hold a special place in your heart Britt, it is where you grew up after all!

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  22. I love this post so much! I’m from a tiny little town and I definitely sometimes forget to love it xx

    Www.Coleoftheball.com

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  23. What a lovely and positive post! I love that canvas too! Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Ooh that print it lovely! I’m not a huge fan of my home town (Taunton) but it’s fine for now :)

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  25. I wish I was proud of where I came from but it's such a horrible place 🙈 This is such a beautiful picture!!

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    1. Aww that's a shame Sophie! The canvas is gorgeous isn't it?!

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  26. This is a really lovely post, I’ve always lived in the same area that I was born in and I’ve moved but not far, I know one day I’ll have to move to be able to afford a house and I’ll definitely miss it! That print is also lovely x

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    1. Thank you Aaliyah! It's amazing how house prices range in different parts of the UK, even towns next to each other have different prices x

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  27. I love the canvas you have chosen. I completely agree we should love where we came from because its made us who we are. We know the little beauty spots that a newcomer doesn't and we should definitely find the good things in our towns and cities.

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    1. Thank you Kelly, that's a really good point Kelly! We all know the different beauty spots of our hometowns that others don't!

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  28. These posters are absolutely lovely! I wonder if they do any of my town!
    Rosie

    https://www.loverosiee.co.uk

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  29. So true, unused to be the same and did everything I could (even joined the RAF)to get away from my home town. I've come to realise how beautiful the valleys actually are and I let a handful of ppl spoil it for me.💜

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    1. I'm glad that you could see how beautiful the valleys was and is Fiona, it just takes one person to say something to you about your hometown and you're inclined to agree with them, I've been in that position before and I wished I never listened!

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  30. Love this post! I am desperate to explore more of the UK and I too was desperate to leave my home town! Unfortunately, there isn't much to like about it! I am proud of where I grew up, the friends I made and the schools I attended but I didn't want my children growing up in the same area so moved a few miles away.

    Those posters are so cute, I don't imagine they do any of my boring home town!

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    1. People definitely always want the best for their kids and moving them away to a better area is an option to give them the best life possible, I'm sure they will do an outline of your hometown lovely, you'll have to check out their website!

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  31. This was a beautiful post! I love my hometown and it holds loads of memories for me. However, I have always felt like I was born in the wrong place. I don’t know why I just get a feeling I was meant to be somewhere else 😂

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    1. Thank you Gemma! Haha I feel the same way too! x

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  32. Aw Lucy, this was a lovely post! I've never been to Newport but I have visited beautiful Tredegar House many years ago. And I was born and grew up in Bath. After a few years away in London, I moved back and now live just outside my lovely home city. Home really is where the heart is! And that's a gorgeous picture from Photowall, it looks perfect on your wall x

    Lisa | www.lisasnotebook.com

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    1. Tredegar House is a lovely place to visit, the grounds are beautiful! Bath is such a stunning city, I can't wait to visit again when it's safer! x

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  33. I think exactly like you, whenever I visit other places, I always imagine what it would be like to live there. In my heart of hearts I know I wouldn't be able to move out of Leeds as that is where my family and firends are, and I am so grateful to live close by them, espcially in what is going on today.
    Also, love the print, I will ahve to have a look at what the Leeds skyline one would look like.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Aimsy xoxo
    https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk

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    1. Yeah you can't help imagining what it would be like to live away from home sometimes Aimsy! I'm sure the Leeds skyline would be an amazing outline! x

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  34. This is such a lovely post and the canvas is fab! I've just moved away from my home city York and as much as I love where I am now my heart will always have a little place for home!xx

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    1. Thank you Hannah, the canvas is great isn't it?! Aww I'm sure that there will always be a special place in your heart for York! xx

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  35. I love the idea of being proud of where you're from. I'm definitely a fan of anything Yorkshire, it's a beautiful place to live and explore. Great print too, a lovely piece of decor!

    Anika | chaptersofmay.com

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    1. Yorkshire is a place I would love to visit in the future! You may well be able to find a Yorkshire outline on Photowall!

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  36. It's so important to be proud of where you came from! What a great post!

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  37. Thanks for sharing, I left my home town for university, but regularly come back as my parents are still there, its nice to have some support for your home town even though it has it faults :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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    1. Yeah I completely agree Nic, it's always good to support your hometown even if it does have its faults!

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  38. A big ouch to the blogger who criticised your home town to you; how rude! Also yes that quote does get you right in the feels haha! I always wanted to leave my hometown, but as time goes on it looks like I'm staying and I'm not mad about it anymore xx

    Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/

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    1. A big ouch to that blogger indeed Hannah! Yeah I've gotten to that stage of not wanting to leave xx

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