Hej 2025: And so our life in Denmark begins
30th January ‘24: Karlsruhe
Life is wild.
My current geolocation as I type this postcard is more or less the very same as last year on 31st January. Yet, everything has changed.
And the fact that I am sitting in a hotel lobby in Karlsruhe instead of at our coffee table in what used to be our apartment in Karlsruhe is just the tip of the iceberg.
Last year, I successfully graduated with a master’s in marine science (after having worked in IT for the previous 10 years - FYI, if you just stumbled upon my postcards recently). I was trying to figure out what to do with the urge not to return to my old job but to venture deeper into the world of marine acoustics, research and academia - while working as a waitress at a sufficiently busy restaurant.
Fast forward to this December. The month that revealed itself to be the real starting point for things to “settle” in Denmark.
With the majority of logistical things - well, sufficiently being dealt with.
With finally having more than a couple of days together in our new home.
With finally feeling to arrive into my new professional reality: A PhD in marine acoustics at the University of Aarhus.
And with the understanding that I want to craft a grounding, nurturing, and gentle life - not AROUND my professional life, but as a FOUNDATION for it.
Sven and I both find meaning in what we do professionally. But admittingly, the main focus of our adult lives has been directed to our work. And though this dedication, joy and flow we find in the things we do for a living is unlikely to vanish, the past years have shown us that we also want to be more intentional about the things both of us long for in other areas of our lives.
Taking the step to live abroad might not exactly look like a period one would consider to be a time for taking a step back and regrouping. Calm down. A million things are waiting to be taken care of. Decided. Organised. Competing for energy and time.
But at a closer glimpse, it is a unique opportunity. It’s a plain sheet. It is just US and what we want to do with this new chapter of our lives and relationship.
Ground zero.
Our whole life has been turned upside down. And though it is easy and natural to fall back into old routines, habits and mechanisms (since in the end, these are what give us some sort of familiarity in a completely new life situation), they might not be the ones that actually serve us very well (anymore).
2025 Focus
Simultaneously, moving to a new country might also let you go full-speed into wanting to do it all at once. Starting new hobbies, meeting new people, and discovering places. To fill the void of not having anything and anyone familiar around.
But if we can actually pause a bit on this ground zero and carefully choose what truly matters, we might actually be more likely to attract those more meaningful things into our life. To design something that is real and flows easily. Without the lingering burden of overcommitting too early to all the things and people simply because - yeah, FOMO. And then being left with not feeling part of it despite our efforts. Because we never were meant to be part of it anyway.
The good thing is:
We moved to a Nordic country. There is a shared sense of “enoughness”. Or less is more. Simple and functional. Living a slower life. Including taking (a long) time to foster genuine connections.
That sounds soothing.
And so, my 2025 focus is first and foremost, the tiniest unit and common ground zero there is. My closest relationships, my well-being and happiness, and my PhD. Gradually exploring, leaning into what is to stay and what is not.
I think that’s enough to start with 😊.
My word for 2025
Some years ago, I picked up the habit of choosing a word for each new year. I didn’t know it would stick with me until it did. Until now, I have never had to choose a word actively. It chose me during the course of December.
And so, for 2025, my word is: helpful.
It has only made it onto a random piece of paper yet since we are still travelling. But it will eventually make it into my notebook. Probably not any kind of journal since I am not going to bullet journal in 2025. I am going to organise myself a bit differently. Stay tuned 😄.
But back to the word itself.
There is no super deep interpretation that I create for my yearly words. It is more of a guiding word or principle yet to reveal itself.
But I can already see a couple of things about why this word popped into my mind.
There are so many things we do on a daily base that are simply not helpful to anyone - including ourselves. From tiny actions, a strange comment, being impatient, frustrated about something that is out of our control - thinking unhelpful thoughts. Can I be more helpful towards myself and others in even the smallest actions or inactions?
Though there is this movement of “recovering people-pleasers”, I know that my general type is the natural defending, supporting and making people feel happy and safe type. I long to be helpful in whatever this might look like. And I want to embrace this trait rather than struggle with it.
Does helpful equal meaningfulness? Purpose? Is it purely solution- or outcome-oriented?
I don’t think so.
It is kind. Gentle. And even curious at times.
Do you have a word for 2025 or just considering having one?
I would love to read about it in the comments!
2025 Postcards
So, what does it mean for my postcards?
In 2024, especially during the summer, I put a vast amount of time and energy into seeing what online writing could look like for me. I learned a lot and connected with great people.
I think I finally reached a point where I know what it is not for me. Warning, controversial opinion incoming:
I am not an online writer. And I don’t have the ambition to become one.
I do enjoy writing online, though.
And documenting moments in photo frames 😊.
It’s a creative outlet and a way to connect with people. Most of whom I even know in real life. Some I briefly met along the way, and some who just happened to find the postal service through some online magic. I am grateful for every single one of you.
So I am going to (re-)focus on sharing about my life that happens in the offline world but in a simpler, slower way compared to other types of social media.
Sending digital postcards.
Looking forward to venturing into 2025 with all of you!
Have a cosy New Year’s Eve.
See you over there.
Big hug,
What a relaxing read!
Nordic countries do share a slow living mindset that we should learn from!
Helpful is a fine word for 2025. I don’t have a word for next year (I didn’t ha a word for this year). I will try to think of an original one of my own but if there is one thing I would like to do more of, it is being helpful. I would like to be more helpful to others but to do that properly I need to be more helpful to myself. Have a great 2025.