Happy Boxing day from Beautiful Bavaria!
As I sit here and try to put the finishing setup touches on my 2024 planner, It shocks me to say that our time here in Germany will be ending this summer. The Army has spoken, and we’ll be moving back to the states in 2024 and it’s bitter sweet to say the least.
We truly love living in Germany, Bavaria specifically. From finally having all four seasons, to the experiences of a lifetime we’ve managed to have, we will never forget our time here. I’m just grateful the stars lined up and we were able to spend the last few years here.
With that said, I’m going to leave you with some advice–
- Take the trip – Don’t wait for another time, chances are something else will come up. Book the flight, pick the hotel, buy the ticket. It may be hectic, but let’s be honest, traveling usually is, but that will just add to the story in the end.
- Get out of your comfort zone – If you don’t speak a language, don’t let that scare you, Google-Translate, maps, search- has saved the day countless times and you’d be surprised how far someone’s broken English and some hand gestures get you.
- Make the memories – Take a moment and breathe, soak in your surroundings, appreciate the good and the bad, enjoy the successful planned events, get lost in a new city, but most importantly, be present. Yes, take the pictures and a quick video, but don’t live through the camera lens or on your phone.
- Say see ya later – It’s okay to go on a trip with friends, and break away. You don’t have to settle for someone else’s dream trip just because you went somewhere together. There is plenty to see, and usually not enough time to see it all so be honest with yourself, do you really want to go on a walking tour or sleep in like your friends? Everyone can be happy, book that walking tour and meet up with your friends for a late lunch!
- Unplanned additions – Now this may be wild, since I really do love planning as much as possible, but I also know I need to be adaptable. Things don’t always go as planned, and that’s totally okay! Maybe you planned to stay home this weekend, but a friend invites you to a concert for tomorrow night, GO! Or maybe you’re at Christmas Lunch, and met someone for the first time, and Milan Fashion week comes up, book that girls trip! The point is, it’s productive to plan, but it’s equally important to be flexible and leave space for adventure, somewhere in the middle of both is where memories and growth happens!
❤️ idkjacklyn