Developing
Exactly 12 years ago, on February 20th, 2010, I woke up in Switzerland for the first time without knowing when I would leave again. Not knowing that this would be the place I would call home for the following 12 years.
Growing up in the megacity of São Paulo, Brazil, and deciding to move here for my studies was one of the most important decisions I’ve made so far. Little did I know how much my reality would change. How much I would change.
When I look back, I think I would no longer recognise the girl who packed her things and decided to try her luck in a new country. The first year was hard. Very hard.
Things changed again when, in my second year, I had a break from Switzerland while doing a one-year exchange in the US. I got to know a new version of myself.
When flying back to Switzerland to complete my last year of the Bachelor, I made myself I promise. I would give Switzerland another chance. I would change and try harder to adapt.
It worked. I adapted. I made new friends. I learned how to navigate in this new environment.
I graduated while finally feeling like I somehow belonged here. I had constructed a place to call home.
This, too, has changed.
I’ve left jobs and started new ones. I went travelling for months but ended up coming back and beginning once more.
I studied again. Left a long relationship and a home we had constructed together to try something new once more. I‘ve fallen and stood up again repeatedly…Constantly getting out of the comfort zone and discovering new paths. New versions of self.
The last 1,5 years as a Hotel Nomad haven’t been any different. A newly created reality. But this one… on steroids.
It’s like everything I lived until now has acted as training.
The next change/shift? I have plans; I have ideas. But if I’ve learned something, the path will lead to places sometimes not before imaginable.
Nowadays, that acts as a spark inside. Those goosebumps of not knowing what’s coming next and being open to the possibilities ahead. I can feel change is on its way. I’m just not so sure yet, precisely where the path will lead.
Looking back on all that has happened in the past 12 years, I wonder where (or who) will I be in the following 12.
It’s just like being under (constant) construction.