Renovating an old house in Europe is a nightmare. (Ep. 06)

[@namwob7]

Nathaniel, as a 75 year old person who moved from the suburbs of Chicago to a farm in Virginia back in 1984, I could readily identify with your move. While our situations were not as extreme as yours, I can identify with your dream/vision. I'm so glad that you've shared this. I've been following you almost since the beginning of your adventure. You have a lot of great material here with the house. Keep the vision, even if it takes more to get there than you thought.

[@christinalucia-c1v]

I moved from Chicago to a small village in the Netherlands at 39. I carefully put myself on the edge of a city and have a foot in both worlds. It can really be a pain though sometimes.

[@renaissance2006]

As i grow older i realize more and more that expectations are shortcuts to dissapointment we all just gotta be in the moment and appreciate it for what it is

[@mindiwilhelm4322]

Wow! Fantastic thoughts.

[@Saba15-t9d]

Yes, the bigger the expectations the bigger the disappointments.

[@dionline88]

At least you know that the house you end up with, has been rehabbed the right way - and by your hand. It may sound trite, but looking back, you'll appreciate this. I remember your mother saying to expect a renovation to take twice as long as expected and cost twice as much. Mothers are pretty awesome people - and so is Nathanial Drew.

[@tiffanygurova]

This transparency is sooo refreshing. I feel like a lot of people, myself included, have bought into the social media adventure facade. My husband and I recently moved abroad and I kept getting overwhelmed, thinking, “What the fuck?! No one said it would be like this! Is it just us?” I needed this. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is incredibly necessary to keep your chin up and accepting reality, however cruel it may be at times. You’ve got this 💪🏻 Stay strong. Stay present. 🤗

[@astroboirap]

he a weird dude thiking life is a movie

[@handlemonium]

​@@astroboirap that's just his style of sharing his stories.

[@soundscape26]

​@@astroboirapWell, he's basically making a movie. He has good chops but yes, but most of what we see here is staged.

[@itsmeelli]

@tiffanygurova it’s not just you ! Moving abroad is a huge step. Finding community is freaking hard and ending up feeling isolated is almost inevitable. But it can only get better and it is an adventure .. we learn and grow from. Sending love

[@tiffanygurova]

@ Thank you for your kind words. 🙏🏻 You are absolutely right and I’m grateful to you. Thank you.

[@AnArtistsLifeYT]

You are a bright and courageous soul. I love how you go for what you want with all your heart. Even though you’re encountering setbacks and surprises, you face them with so much reflection and care. You don’t just act on a whim. You check in with your guidance, you learn, you grow, and then you share what you’ve gained. But it’s not just any kind of wisdom you offer. It’s thoughtful, deeply considered, and shared with such generosity. I’m so proud of you, so impressed, and so grateful for the wonderful, big-hearted person you are.😘and what a beautiful video!!!!

[@Beaut_Beau]

This is exactly how i wanted to word my thoughts! Turns out Nathaniel's mum says it best ^_^

[@celinefederici6951]

At 59 I bought my first house, at 62 I moved in...leaving life in Manhattan apts for life on Cape Cod. At 69 I finally found my forever home. I am single and never had owned a house or had to to anything...so a little overwhelming at my age though not any way near drastic as what you are experiencing. Somehow we learn. I learned about being a first time home owner and you are learning what you need to learn with cleaning and fixing up your house. Honestly, I would not change any of it and I bet you will not either. In the middle of all my blood, sweat and tears...gratitude played an important part and taking time "to smell the roses". Ten yrs later, I am 79 and still dealing and learning and appreciating though at a little slower pace. It is what it is. Good luck with your house projects, I have full faith in you to accomplish what needs to be done..and then to make it your own and then...???

[@mindiwilhelm4322]

I thought I was the oldest fan. I guess not.

[@Rfpepe7295]

I also bought my forever home on Cape Cod three years ago!! I also love it

[@christinalucia-c1v]

Single woman homeowner here, its a lot but I do love it.

[@Ka-ly8oi]

wow, this encourages me (at just having turned 65) to keep on looking for a house...I m still not sure, where and what exactly, but it keeps up my spirit.

[@skylarsa]

As a 25 year old who has no money and sees the housing crisis all going on wandering if I'll ever be able to afford a home.. your comment is refreshing, and a reminder that I have SO much time to get there, and get my dream home.

[@deanjifedrico7108]

this is the most aesthetically pleasing motion capture i’ve seen in a very long time. thank you & god bless

[@MMiladinovic47]

Following since the Mexico days. Really fascinating how life quickly changes. It's been interesting following both your, and my personal, progress throughout the years and comparing the levels of maturity and growth people go through. Interested how this chapter will turn out for you. Best of all luck to you, Nathaniel. Keep up the great work for many years to come!

[@nathanieldrew]

Thank you!! Really appreciate you sticking around for so long!

[@mindiwilhelm4322]

I felt so sorry for him in Mexico because I thought he looked hungry all the time.

[@brandoneastman9710]

Nathaniel, I just want to thank you for making these beautiful films! I’m a 25yo mechanic living in Florida, that couldn’t have a more different life from yours. However, I’m amazed how many parallels I can find in our experiences, and your films have helped me appreciate life more than you can imagine! Yes, life almost always doesn’t go the way we plan it to, but thank you for helping me see all the good that, even in dark times, makes life worth living! 🙏 Best of luck with the renovations!🫡

[@pattiderosamusic3292]

After my divorce I bought an old house (in the suburbs of a northeast US city) that I knew needed some renovation but as in your case, I never could have imagined how much! Each step lead to yet another unforeseen problem. Lots of “WTF was I thinking?” moments. After much expense and financial loss, I finally sold it and rented a place in the city for a few years. (I also realized that the suburbs and countryside were far too isolating for me as a single person). Then almost 10 years ago I moved to Florence, Italy where I rent and am very happy. I have no interest in owning or renovating ever again. I live just outside the historical center, far enough away from the tourist masses but close enough to walk to all the city has to offer. Though I’ve thought about moving to some charming village in the countryside or by the sea, I’ve realized that I need a city (Florence is a good size, small, manageable, and active) to maintain the kind of social life I want and need. I’m quite a bit older than you (close to retirement at this point) but trust you will find your way with valuable (if expensive) lessons and experiences along the way that will help you sort out what you want and need at each stage of your life. ☮️

[@frenchgrama]

Welcome to the world of house renovations - the story of my life for at least 20+ years. We owner built our first house in our 20's and since then we've done countless homes to sell as a way of being mortgage free AND building up equity, in the last 10 years I renovated 4 kitchens and 4 bathrooms - I am like your mother, organising and planning everything and I LOVE IT! There is a newer, deeper level of satisfaction you will gain from being able to build or renovate your home, the confidence that comes with this is absolutely priceless and as a bonus no tradesman can every screw you over because you know exactly what needs to be done, how it needs to be done and what materials you need to do the job. During renovations something unexpected ALWAYS comes up and even though after 20 years you think you've seen it all when it comes to badly built or neglected houses I still get shocked by the weird things I come across... Welcome to adulthood.

[@elevatewithkarolina]

It's when the chickens escape that things get interesting. I love this. You don't always see it that way when you're in it, but it is true. Thanks for the amazing content!

[@DR_1_1]

Even if they don't escape, make sure that no Marten of Weasel can get inside, they get trough tiny holes!

[@Blah-Blah-Blah143]

Yeah I really resonated with that as well, but my situation has nothing to do with a housing renovation.

[@elevatewithkarolina]

@Blah-Blah-Blah143 mine neither lol

[@Blah-Blah-Blah143]

@@elevatewithkarolina mine started with moving interstate for a job that I was then terminated from 5 months later. My chickens are now re-circling. Although job-hunting feels more like trying to herd cats. Good luck with your own chickens. 😉

[@elevatewithkarolina]

@Blah-Blah-Blah143 love the continued metaphor ha 😃 good luck to you too!

[@JoannaMoodstep]

C'est amusant d'écouter tes réflexions car je suis quelques années plus tard. Je vivais au canal saint Martin qu'on voit dans les extraits d'Amélie Poulain et 10 jours avant les attentats dans ma rue, sur un coup de tête, j'ai pris mes affaires et je suis partie vivre à Port-Louis, une petite presqu'île fortifiée sur la mer, près de Lorient, en Bretagne. C'était là, avec ses rues pavées, ma vie rêvée. Et puis à l'arrivée du confinement, le miroir d'une vie idéalisée s'est écorné. J'ai quitté Port-Louis et acheté une petite maison à moitié en ruine dans la ville voisine, Riantec, berceau de ma famille maternelle. Comme toi, je n'avais aucune idée de ce que représentait ce chantier. Et pourtant, malgré les nombreuses embuches, un jour après l'autre, j'ai peu à peu rénové cette maison. J'ai fait des choses que je n'imaginais pas car il n'est pas toujours facile de trouver des artisans alors on remonte les manches et on s'y met. Un pas après l'autre, un jour après l'autre, concentré sur le défi du moment. J'ai constaté que quand quelque chose coince, rien ne sert de s'entêter, souvent cela ouvre une nouvelle voie. Les plus grands blocages m'ont amenée aux plus belles améliorations de la maison, ils m'ont obligée à m'ouvrir à de nouvelles possibilités. Je vais fêter les un an chez moi et cette maison est mon sanctuaire. Cette maison m'a appris tellement sur mes limites, sur la fluidité, sur l'entraide... C'est une immense chance. Courage Nathaniel. Accepter et aimer le chemin, voilà l'essentiel. Et merci de nous inviter dans ton aventure. Je suis toujours admirative de la qualité de tes vidéos autant dans la forme que dans la manière de raconter l'histoire.

[@KarenKaiser]

We are just 6 days from boarding a plane to start our new life on the Island of Madeira. This is a timely video for me. Our home in a quiet Charlotte suburb is sold, and virtually none of our lifetime of possessions is coming with us; two septuagenarians and their little dogs following a dream. Let's hope we can tuck into one of our many suitcases the ability to live in the moment, adjust to our new 'realities' with joy, and continue to refine our dreams as we live them. As always, thank you.

[@gregorybroussard2660]

Thank you for being honest about your journey, Nathaniel. Too often, content about these sorts of sojourns is made to look like picturesque idylls instead of reality, and it can be hard for those of us who aspire to venture out in this way to parse through what is real and what is produced and curated.

[@peacelovehabon]

This came at the exact right time. Thank you!

[@BATgirl57]

I think I have a similar story to yours: I bought an old house with grand expectations, discovered issue after issue after issue causing a spiral into depression and near despair, until slowly acceptance of the present reality set in allowing me to release the expectations (now crushed dreams!) and emerge with a new perspective of appreciation and gratitude for the journey exactly as it is! Funny how those issues don’t seem nearly as scary now and it just keeps getting better and better! 67 years young living the good life🩷 Love your content Nathaniel! You are so creative and inspiring!!🥰

[@DinaMadi23]

I'm in awe at the amount of resilience and determination you have! It's funny because i incidentally just watched your mother's video about the challenges they have been going through in their renovations. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You are such an artistic family full of ideas and projects and being able to document your journey while going through challenges and intense emotions is really awe inspiring! Your story telling and filming are so engaging, thank you for sharing your amazing journey with us! And yeah as my friend Shari often says: wherever you go, there you are 😁

[@justathought274]

So we’ll said Completely agree

[@AdventuresOfValene]

I love the story that emerged from renovating your new home, so cool to see your visions come to life! I can totally relate to the blind optimism that comes from taking on a major project without recognizing the insane amount of work it's actually going to take. Maybe it's a good thing though? I feel like I wouldn't even attempt to chase my dreams if I didn't have the mindset that things will happen quickly. It's like everyday I wake up and convince myself that it's just right around the corner and it's gotten me this far lol And your right, life does not turn out the way we think it's going to, but with enough grit and perseverance, it usually turns out better than you imagine.. just gotta make it through those rough patches of feeling defeated and like it's never going to happen, and of course, seeing the blessings in disguise of all the life lessons and character building we'd otherwise miss out on!

[@katy8792]

I think this is your best video because it such a wise and useful message. I’m 65 and I’ve already learned this lesson but I love the way you put it all together. When we are younger we go out into the world expecting to live out the fantasies we had in our mind. Then we have to get past the disappointments and frustrations and eventually move be into appreciating the real life in front of us.

[@aniaw220]

This was such a delightful video to watch, both because of your message (hitting home as I plan an international move and feel like letting go of control and going with the flow will be a big part of the process) and also your cinematography is so beautiful. That first scene with the chicken coming into the frame was just so satisfying and fun!

[@aurorawalsh8937]

Its been YEARS since i first watched a Nathaniel’s video, im talking 6-7 years ago, I stopped watching because life and work took over me but now im back, and its amazing to compare how much the channel and Nathaniel had developed, images, and shots you know, im no filmmaker but damn, those are pretty good! Im glad to see that you are all about this new journey, it will be a great pleasure to go along with you on it. ❤

[@Irina-li1gx]

Please never ever stop doing what you're doing! All of your videos are masterpieces❤

[@keshmeshnakhuutt9555]

Agreed! 👌

[@patriciarodriguezkraan7721]

I really love how you use art, like films, to look at your own life and the world around you. I was watching your video with a smile on my face. Can't wait to follow the rest of your process. Well done 👏🏻

[@Valconlawhy]

I love love love following your journey Nathaniel!! There is so much value in you sharing your journey. I would love to hear more about the renovation journey! It would be so cool to have a long vlog/series about the house. I think renovating a house is such a great metaphor to self-development and a fulfilling & realistic life journey. Please share more!

[@vickyritter4411]

this video came to me at a time that i really needed it, and especially from a creator i look up to and aspire to be like on my own journey of leaving the US for Europe as a young adult. i’m so grateful to get this gentle and encouraging reality check on the way that life simply unfolds and the courage required to keep jumping back in even when there’s uncertainty. so thank you so so much for this

[@lukezt5223]

Beautiful story and piece of art, thank you. Feel like it reached me at the right time.

[@vloup2439]

Nathaniel, your channel really keeps me grounded to real emotions, real life, to open my eyes to the beauty of real world. Please never cease to share this beautiful structured and chaotic and amazing mind-toughts and heart with us.

[@morganinwanderland]

I want to send you a big energetic hug 🥺Your honesty and vulnerability are so refreshing. This situation could easily break anyone, but you are showing such resilience and appreciation for life’s tough lessons.

[@Project_bananas]

Very brave video. So vulnerable and helpful to the journey of other imaginative and creative like us.

[@konstancjakozak9935]

I like the creative way of telling stories and how interesting it can be, especially when things go wrong as we imagine. I'm an anxious person and oftentimes I forget that simple beauty of being alive. No one plans for failures and difficulties and that it's how we face difficulties that makes us more human. Thanks for creating and sharing stories

[@abigailalbright3779]

I started following this page years ago. The way you reflect on the world is familiar. I live my life on a much smaller scale, but it’s always entertaining to return and see how strikingly similar our paths happen to be. From mindfulness and journaling, to exploring new places, to running a marathon (for me a half)-our experiences seem to match up. A few months ago I bought an old home that is challenging my skill level for maintenance and balancing finances. Thanks for the content you create, Nathaniel. It’s a reminder that there are others like me out in the world.

[@catherinestephanou8592]

Good morning - love the calming sound of this video so far… merci!

[@nickywarner5826]

It’s ✨ teaching you that it’s YOUR story you’re writing!! Your life is not for copying or recreating another story, it’s the opportunity to write your own - what is a story without challenge, struggle, new characters, disasters, joy, beauty, happiness?! We don’t want still shots, we want story…. to gather ideas and collect inspiration 😄 Live it all and share it with your audience 🦋

[@makesharevictoria]

You are by far my favourite filmmaker / storyteller on KZbin! And I quite often resonate with many things you say / learn (even though we are likely 20 years apart in age).

[@TaavP]

I don't understand how this guy can make, FOR YEARS, content of this quality. Having this amazing brain can be as bad as it's good, I hope you can always find a way around it's maze to being as happy as possible in the present while knowing that some sadness is normal and necessary to bring some perspective and comparison. Hugs from your not so "new" nationality PT

[@joanahenriques8863]

I am a little late to this series, but I am loving it so much and I honestly think it's your best work yet. It's real, it's honest, still has beautiful imagery and the storytelling is going beyond anything you've ever done. Can't wait for the next episode

[@davinapickering1235]

Appreciate your time to capture this part of your journey, it is incredibly inspiring & raw. Reflection on our steps each day allows us to anchor the chaos in our minds & infuse the gratitude of the turmoil we are thrown into, whether it is a direct or indirect choice we have made, it's all about embracing the journey & riding it in the best way we can. Always look forward to each episode you share, pairs perfectly while having my breakfast

[@KarolinaWrites]

I love your optimism and I wish to become more like you in that aspect. Amazing video btw!

[@InsideouttrainingWB]

❤ I love your willingness to look within. Doing so has never failed me. Sending so much love and good energy your way, from Chicago.

I’ve been loving to follow your journey… best of luck with the house, I’m sure the path is filled with learning and extraordinary future memories no matter what. Take care, Nate! Can’t wait for the next video.

[@jekalambert9412]

Loved this video. I believe home renovation is a rite of passage. I'm 2.5 years into renovating my 50 year old mobile home. The renovation is finally winding down and should be "complete" within the next year. The first 1.5 years were spent on foundation work, replumbing, rewiring, and addressing other structural issues. That was the worst part. It was expensive, I was living in the chaos and dirt of a construction zone, and aesthetically, I had nothing to show for all the time, money and energy spent. The past year has been much brighter as I see rooms come together and I'm able to enjoy living in my home. This project has demanded my constant attention as I planned the renovations, supervised workers, solved problems, and searched for furnishings and decor. In one way I'm so relieved to have such a wonderful comfortable home that differs significantly from my initial vision. In another, I have a degree of anxiety as I leave behind the renovation project and try to envision my life with much more "free" time because I'm no longer consumed by the renovation. I hope my comments about the beginning of the renovation being the worst part will bring you hope as you deal with all the surprises and structural problems. Things will get better, and I'm sure you'll feel a much stronger love connection to your home because of the efforts you put into it.

[@hannahvanwagner]

Love this, Nathaniel! Thank you for sharing both the 'picturesque' moments and the raw, challenging sides of your journey. Your reflections on expectations really resonate with me. Lately, the universe has been nudging me to let go of them as well, and I’m realizing that I’m most relaxed, present, and happy when I approach situations with zero expectations-just staying in the moment and appreciating what unfolds. I recently moved from the U.S. to the French countryside and have been documenting the incredible places I’m exploring. Your journey inspires me to keep embracing both the beauty and the challenges of this experience.

[@niskopol]

Hey Sir, has a french not leaving too far from you, I know the pain but also the joy of doing something by your hand and going though something complex. Bon courage mon ami.

[@treewytch]

Thank you for sharing this story. It was exactly what I needed to hear today after fighting what life has thrown at me over the last year. So many good things happen, but I lose them in the frustration of ‘not happening fast enough’ or ‘not being as good as others’ lives’. Living in the now, enjoying the moment and learning from it is all we need and that is something that is so hard to remember at times.

[@hollyoddly]

I love that Amélie is what drew you to France, and I love even more that you did what you came there for and realized you wanted something different. And then you went for it. That's brilliant and more than so many do. My husband and I moved into a filthy Victorian house that will be 135 years old next year, so I feel you anguish over the dirt and surprise costs. However, you remind me how important it is to dream and how reality is an opportunity to practice resilience. I'm 42, and I feel like I've lived many lives already. Cheers to your many lives lived and your many to come, Nathaniel!

[@paromitadey9558]

I think in the past few years I have watched most of your videos. I love your stories and what you capture on film. But I don't know why I think this is the best of your works that I have encountered so far. Your story, your humor set against the beautiful captures. It is indeed very beautiful.

[@NewFlowerish]

Hello, I’ve seen your videos on and off for the last couple of years and probably like many others I can relate to some of the feelings and interests you share, places you visit, the life phases, in which you are in, probably because we’re the same age. I’m half German/Portuguese. Grew up in Germany, now have been living in Portugal for a few years. Just moved away from the city (Lisbon), to a smaller village closer to nature, bought an old house and am now renovating it slowly. I, like you, underestimated how much time everything takes, all the not so nice surprises along the way, how much this all costs… nevertheless I am glad about this new chapter of life, living in a less busy area, closer to nature, not having housemates. But you are right, one needs to make sure that one has enough money, more than what one expects, before starting such a project of buying an old house 😂😂 A little suggestion maybe to you: I think it’s a bit of a generation issue, but to me , like you partially describe, you seem to be chasing experiences, you seem to want to create this “showable” life, that someone should turn into a movie. I feel like you have built your channel, your brand around that theme, probably creating a lot of internal pressure. You have great talent, your filmmaking and storytelling capacities are top-notch. As you know life isn’t perfect, many more serious movies might show hardships, but ultimately they aren’t real life. The mundane boring day-to-day isn’t shown, why? Because no one cares around 80 years of the day-to-day. They only show more interesting and meaningful parts of someone’s life, ultimately it is always a story, to make you feel something, whether good or bad or whatever. Sorry for this essay, I’m not good in keeping it short, but what I want to say is that, like you say in videos, I feel like you have too high of expectations, you want your life to be movie-worthy. Everyone can have movie-worthy moments in life, but one needs to accept that the biggest part of life is quiet, calm, not interesting, mundane. I think filming your own life in this movie/storytelling way is a bit harmful, because it creates a lot of pressure, a chase of show worthy experiences, which is never-ending, never enabling to just be a normal human and live life how you truly feel like. Maybe I am misjudging you, maybe it’s not the case for you, but you seem to have shared similar sentiments and I think a lot of people in our generation can relate due to social media and us always seeing other’s most memorable moments, it’s just not healthy. It’s disproportional. Since you do have those filmmaking skills and interests, maybe it would be good to use them in a fictional story. Create a story, film it, challenge yourself, but maybe don’t make it about your life. You can still share aspects of your life, but maybe it shouldn’t be the main thing you produce. This way you are making your life a product, which I think is inherently very risky. Actors are actors, book/movie characters are not real. We aren’t them and will never be. I love fiction, but I am not fiction and it’s good to see those two things are two separate things. Enjoy reading/watching them, but don’t try to recreate them. I think you kind of already know all of this, but maybe it’s good to hear again, since like you mentioned in this video, you seem to repeatedly fall for your romanticized idealizations of life scenarios. Which isn’t bad for sometimes in life, but those parts are special moments, they don’t make out most of our lives. Anyways, this goes as much to you as to anyone, and also to myself. I really comprehend feelings and thoughts you have, and maybe it’s just me being more down after many hardships last year, but I just think we should live day by day and not have these crazy expectations of things or moments. Life isn’t predictable and trying to do so or create false moments will never truly give us happiness, contentment or inner peace. ✌🏻 I think inner peace is attained by just living life without big expectations and living more in the moment, appreciating what we have, who we have, when we have it or them and very import, accept that life isn’t perfect and can be very very hard but that’s ok. Like you said, we won’t be here for too long. Let’s just enjoy ourselves and each other however we feel like.

[@NewFlowerish]

Another thought I have: The thing with social media and maybe trying to recreate movies etc. is that by doing that you are trying to be someone else, and no one is the same. You are unique. So instead of looking outward to know what we feel like doing, we need to go inward. Listen to ourselves. We can never feel peace, if we aren’t true to ourselves. You aren’t Amelie from the movie, or those cottage influencers, who show only certain aspects of their lives. So distancing yourself from fake realities of other people, from social media. I think, it’s only possible to find oneself, if we stop searching for it with so much pressure, by chasing different experiences. I think it’s a never ending journey, we’ll be on until we’ll die at least. But we can get closer to it, if we just accept more where we are and who we are and stop comparing ourselves to others and trying to be (aspects of) others.

[@watz03]

nice perspective, thank you for taking the time to tell your story amidst the struggle you go through there. I know it can be a creative and theraputic outlet for you, but it is also valuable for the ones watching. Keep it up, well done so far and much much success with your efforts. rooting for our journey and the final version of this house ! its gona be magnificent :)

[@joshuaellis3725]

I'm on the verge of owning my own home, and after several dreams of specific houses have fallen through, this video came at the perfect time. Life is a journey, and I too am a dreamer wrestling with the jarring sensation of running into life with naïve notions of how life should be. Thank you for the content you make.

[@MarianneInmarsilia]

Never fight reality or try to live up to a fantasy concocted in one’s head…stay in the moment, stay the course, stay yourself….reflect but never over analyze. Old house, old secrets, old problems…I’m sure it will be an adventure breathing new life into it…no matter where that takes you ! Life is not a destination. I used to live on rue Lepic long before Amelie Poulain ! It was so magical there in the1980’s. Fortunately i wasn't comparing it or myself to anything, anywhere or anyone else. Happy travels on your path Nathaniel

[@martinaberkel5673]

Amazing video! We moved to an island of Curacao ( from North America) and this video was bang on for how I can feel some days. Our home renos were not as drastic when we moved here, but took alot of work and time. Two years in I'm just having the worst week with everything going wrong all one after another. Does it teach you patience & adaptability....very much so! Is it worth it to live in a sunny destination and live out a dream which was a goal....absolutely! Will we live here forever...who knows?! Most of the time when people peruse the internet all you hear is how great living somewhere else is. When people ask me now about living on an island I am known for giving them a dose of reality when other people still romanticize it, even though they are having similar issues. It's a challenge, it's not perfect, but its a beautiful place to be. It's an adventure everyday & certainly not boring! Keep up the great work!

[@mishotumparov1172]

The final statement was bang on! Hit the nail on the head and I felt the impact through the screen!

[@sczemialkowski]

This video spoke to me because I too fell in love with Amelie and especially the music. I can relate to your process on so many levels. My husband passed away a couple years ago and I definitely wasn’t planning on that happening. Thank you so much for sharing your story and much love from Dominican Republic 🇩🇴.

[@goodatbad33]

I’m thinking about a move to France myself. I really appreciate your candor regarding the realities of such a big move.

[@Stygova]

Maturing, growing and becoming wiser and wiser Nathaniel. Beautiful share of yours ❤️

[@MarideMari82]

I’ve been there 😂 I was planning to move to France and live in the countryside. I don’t even speak French. It took me year to see this dream more realistic. Now I live in Palma Mallorca which seems to be a better fit for now. Love following your VERY REALISTIC journey ❤❤❤❤ You’re gonna nail this adventure!

[@seaofsolace]

You have perfectly described the struggle of the 20s. This decade is often sold to us as the pinnacle of life, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s so hard. The lack of experience causes us to fall flat on our faces over and over again. The 20s are mostly about trial and error, and unfortunately, that’s just part of the process. We don’t come with a manual, and it’s during this time that we start writing our own. It may feel like you’re off course, but you’re exactly on schedule. ❤ PS I am so sorry about the house. It sounds like a nightmare.

[@KayKayBayForever]

Yes! I am so much happier now that I’m in my 30s. 20s can be fun, but it’s so rough in other ways.

[@chiaraA.]

I can totally agree with this - I did a hell of a lot of amazing stuff in my 20's. I also thought I was king of the hill. It was so hard. It was all over the place. I would never want to relive that decade. But I can look back and look at my amazing accomplishments in that decade - we have so much energy and drive but it's lacks wisdom and you're still just gaining knowledge. You will look back and think how different you are now and thank god,

[@zuzannaweronika2277]

This is so true

[@DanielPerez-xq8cp]

Nathaniel I applaud you for making yet another masterpiece of a video, especially in the midst of all this chaos you're going through. As another comment said, the transparency is oh so refreshing. It really gives this video of yours quite a profound authentic feel. I have seen your growth throughout the years and with every experience you are only getting wiser and better at what you do. Continue making this art of yours; I will be here to enjoy your story along with thousands of others. Best of luck brother

[@98Zai]

You're slowly becoming a very well rounded person. May it benefit you.

[@ZL3xtr4]

Aw, Amélie 🥰 such a delightful film! It is one of my favorites as well. There is something about rural France that is captivating. Thank you for your home update. your giggles over the cobwebs + the chickens getting out made me smile. Please stay warm this winter. I'm glad it's been a bit warmer there, hopefully that helps. *Cheers* & happy holidays.

[@julijanatomicevic7934]

You made me smile, how we can all relate to you somehow, thanks for putting it all so beautifully into words and reminding us to live in the now, embrace it, and not expect anything more. I too adore Amelie, you’re another version of her. Merci beaucoup

[@MelArchbold]

Thank for for another amazing vlog! Your ability to tell a story is wonderful. I enjoyed every second :)

[@olasolska7886]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel. Your journey is fascinating. Good luck man. Keep us posted. Lots of love ❤

[@developingtank]

I love the pain you put yourself through to learn these valuable lessons. Many people will try to give this kind of advice without any real lived experience. Please, continue to be you. I look forward to continuing to follow you through all of these truly unique situations you put yourself into.

[@jaelisKU]

ur journey and content has always continued to be so relatable, I find myself growing and changing in such similar ways mentally and emotionally as you and its been continually so helpful to see someone learning these same lessons and being willing to talk about the journey of it

[@terriebirdcumminsjamison1368]

My spell check keeps changing Amelie to Smile. Exactly. I love that movie. I wanted to be her, and became obsessed with the actress, even knowing her astrological sun and moon. Oh my gosh, we’re star twins! So I came to France for a summer and lived that life, and had wonderful experiences and enchanting relationships and went home and talked about it for years after. Then a funny thing happened. Friends started to catch up with the movie on video,and they’d say, “She reminded me SO much of you!” And it was true. I don’t know which came first the chicken or the egg, but I had come to truly fallen in love with life, and believed in magical thinking, and appreciated Mother Nature so deeply that she returned the feeling. Now that the children are grown and life just started getting a little teenie bit boring, you have reminded me to look at all of it ‘back thru the lense’ of the extra ordinary. Thanks! I think you are in the most perfect ‘spot’. No matter where you roam, for 5 minutes or a few years, never forget that everyone needs a ‘base camp #1 to come home to and get fresh socks and write down some thoughts, and continue to edit. Happy Trails, Nathaniel!👋🏼

[@TheYarnCloset]

Omgosh darling. I’m so proud of you for recognizing real life and the fantasy in our heads are two very different things. The trick is finding a way to live in the space between those two things.

[@alexdavies30]

Ahoy. I'm renovating a house that turned out to be much more work than i thought it would be. I think the big thing to decide is whether you're comfortable leaving something be, or knowing that not knowing what's under that floor, what's behind that wall, etc, is going to bother you interminably. I'm enjoying watching the house work - keep it up, cheers.

[@101hamilton]

What a wonderful video. It really touched me as I am going through a tough transition. Thank you! I really needed to see this today.

[@cristina14k]

Beautiful life poetry.. even with its rough edges, you are able to craft something amazing ❤ cheers for learning acceptance and adaptability. I'm right there with you

[@rachel-b8d]

This is making me smile! This is why people buy an old house in the countryside! You are lucky you have such a gorgeous place. It needed lots of work but then you have learnt how to put it back together the way you want it - something we all have to do when we make the decision to move to France, restore a property and save a piece of French heritage. You will get there! Lovely video! Keep going!

[@MarleenB]

You are just such a magnificent storyteller, and have mastered the art of powerful reflections. In 2017 - my father also had the dream of moving to rural France, and ended up with a renovation project that also proved to be extremely challenging. Your experience shed some light on how he might have felt navigating all that. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful chapter with us.

[@valeriabe7722]

Was so nice to see my favorite film in your video…beautiful creation

[@rizfree]

Bro told a story about his stressful situation and made it so interesting with the reference to the movie... a true story teller!

[@isaakmurphy1125]

Thank you so much for begin vulnerable and for addressing the toxic pursuit of what we think is the good life. Learning to be truly present in the moment and to appreciate what you already have is something I am working on too. Thanks for making such good quality content. Keep up the good work! God bless you and may you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year along with being successful in all that you do.

[@Jet_Setting_Jen]

Discomfort leads to growth! you are doing so well with the complications of home ownership, patience, and life challenges. Be true to yourself and authentic to what you want. The house will turn out awesome and unique, and like you said we are all going to die anyways, enjoy this moment with the countryside! We love your enlightenment.

[@n0wthatsm1nt]

Really inspiring work and excited for the rest of your journey!

[@gracetailor8811]

Hi Nathaniel, I just want to say that you inspire me so much. I was such a reader when I was younger and as I got older, I started noticing the "gaps" as you say between my romanticized view of how my life would go. Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your experiences and inspiring me. I am so excited that I decided to move to France.

[@eyetravel3296]

It spoke to me on a level I didn’t think I needed. Absolute masterpiece what you’ve done and really inspiring.

[@kristenswanson5819]

I found myself agreeing with everything you were saying. When I was younger, I found myself searching for that movie-style adventure. That desire took me all over the country and Germany and yet I never found the peace and contentment I was truly searching for. Then just this morning I found myself thinking about how truly thankful for the life I have right now. I’m content in a way I simply couldn’t find when I was younger. You remind me so much of my younger self. Keep searching. I know you will find your peace and contentment.

[@berlinorama]

This is why a lot of people prefer to buy or build a new house from the ground up;-)) Not that a lot can't go wrong there, too… You will truly appreciate your house when things start working. And it will be gorgeous.

[@jaskoGie]

I would love to hear your talk with Matt D'avella - I think you are both incredibly inspiring, conscious of your limitations and struggles and to hear your perspectives on life and where you are right now would be amazing. All the best Nathaniel :)

[@Leas-Archive]

Nathaniel, I'm so excited for you! You have a turbulent soul (a trait we share), and I hope that by anchoring yourself to this physical place with its many peculiarities and challenges that you find some grounding and meaning. Thanks for sharing your creativity and reflections with us.

[@bellaluce7088]

It's so true there are problems in _every_ situation. But I have been so inspired by your (and your mom's, starting with your Paris kitchen : - ) commitment to seek out and _will into being_ environments with the unique mix of positive qualities, _tolerable_ problems, and BEAUTY that feel best to you. 💪🤓 Kudos! The art of living includes acceptance but also _choice_ and CREATION, and I admire your commitment to all three! ❤ Wishing you good luck with the renovations and Happy Holidays! 😀

[@bellaluce7088]

P.S. The need for safety and shelter is primal, so of course safety and hygiene issues plus unexpected expenses and delays are especially discouraging when it comes to our living space! Something that's helped me when my environment is not working for me is making at least one small area habitable and _beautiful_ in some way to relax, sleep, and eat. 🫖☕💐 The gorgeous details of your house are evident even in the renovation horrors footage, and I hope it starts feeling like a soothing home to you soon. ❤✨🍀

[@remym3213]

This is my favorite video of yours. Thank you for being so real 🤍

[@ondraondrej17]

I love this European "Money Pit" remake.

[@nathanieldrew]

My parents keep mentioning that film to me and laughing about the parallels…. 😅

[@JamesD-iw6pr]

@@nathanieldrew French 'Money Pit'.....Europe is a continent of nearly 50 countries.

[@ecomediacompass]

I love this perspective. Moving to the European countryside and buying an old house (which I've also just done), comes with so many surprises. It is though, teaching me to be okay with a different way of looking at the world. Stillness. Surprises. Peace. Learning. A whole new (old) world. So grateful.

[@selfclarityacademy]

Oh you also love Amelie ❤ my favorite movie character - she showed us something inside us we were searching for but coudn't articulate properly - her creative, pure, magical point of view is just spectaculare, and sparks curiocity, excitment and joy (just like your videos❤)

[@jasontang7865]

I love your dose of home Reno reality. Our vision, dreams are what push us to do silly and unimaginable things. If we knew the difficulty from debut, we would never embark and arrive on our fantasy .

[@PeterSimonWithBedhead]

Mate, of all your videos (that I also loved) this is the most real. When watching your previous videos I always wanted to or wished to relate, but with this one (with this you) I actually _can_ . We bought a house a year ago and everything you say, the mice, the deiscovery of heck jobs all over the place, the exponentially growing expenses, the fucking heavy boiler, etc. is all too familiar. However, the quiet, the fresh air every morning and the incredibly clear starry skies make up for it and I could never live in the city again, I feel caged there. Plus, solving a problem out of the 5 new ones popping up every day around the house feels weirdly satisfying:) I say living on the countryside with animals _is_ the way forward!

[@Sannicolao-y1d]

Many people have renovated houses in the city and countryside even me, but this is not a movie or youtube film but real life .. welcome to life, hard work never hurt a man. Embrace the challenge ..

[@ccj7942]

With this attitude life is so much for interesting and enjoyable. Thank you for this timely reminder ❤️

[@sajidcodes]

The art of being busy is living the life. Well formated shots 👏

[@p4nterav333]

This is the most cinematic romantic video about not romanticising and cinematising your life. But seriously, your videos have gotten so good in terms of narrative and storyline. I can rarely sit through any more video essays, everything seems so repetitive, but you have brought a level of relatability wrapped into storytelling that is truly cinematic. In a way, the struggle and behind-the-scenes imperfection made for a perfect on-screen story.

[@menopauseltravels]

Just some random thought that you've inspired: I think the best thing about Amelie is the whimsy. I see it in your vision as well. Unrelated topic: years ago I took a self transformation course, they said, "wherever you go, there you are" Also, I find it's good to remember two things: art dies when it is perfect (ie the imperfections probably make your house) and we will not have completed everything when we die. Thanks for being so insightful Nathaniel! PS you are so lucky to have your mom's amazing eye!

[@benjaminwhatever]

We've just finished building our first home and completely resonate with this and everything you said. Going through a lot of similar experiences and have had to really deal with letting go and learning to enjoy the present moment, whatever that may be or bring or cost. Enjoy the stress and the tears because at the end of the day that is the human experience.

[@jlbutters2]

Life lessons from Nathaniel Drew... we've never seen Amelie. It's now on our watch list! Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@Aghinia]

I can imagine the amount of stress and overwhelm you're experiencing. I hope things work out well with the house!

[@stevengilleyOU812]

Amelie is an awesome movie. I don’t have many that I own, but that is one. A Very Long Engagement is also very fun to get mesmerized by. We can’t all live like the movies unless they are live action. Then, by process, we do nothing but live in them.