- Despite having substantial material wealth, I found myself lacking in happiness.
This piece originates from a reputable database and was initially published in January 2024.
It's quite like a mainstream Hollywood love tale: A lady, a gent - they've been acquainted for around ten years, yet somehow it never clicked. They remained casually connected until ultimately transforming into a pair. Yet, this tale isn't fictional; it's the romantic journey of the 32-year-old Babette, who shares it here:
"On paper, I had everything in Germany: a captivating ancient flat in the city with nature's proximity, my kin around, and a stable job as a school psychologist, even had a shot at being a civil servant. Materialistically, I was well-off, could grasp premium things – but I wasn't content. I was in a relationship that wasn't beneficial for me. Following the split, I lastly linked up with my deepest affection.
Somehow wound up in Denmark
I've known my partner for about ten years. We consistently stayed in contact, yet always missed the opportune moment to get together. And now we were both single - perhaps we were also covertly waiting for this moment. My partner has been residing in Copenhagen since his master's degree, and when we connected, we promptly decided that we also desired to commence a family. And that I would relocate to him in Denmark. I gave birth to our daughter in Germany. During my parental leave, I frequently traveled between Germany and Denmark. Since June 2023, I have been living permanently in Copenhagen and have never regretted this decision. Despite never believing I would end up in Denmark.
I've always envisioned residing abroad, but I wasn't big on Scandinavia. But the longer I'm here, the more I appreciate it. The Danes are more easy-going and relaxed than the Germans. Everyone here is on a first-name basis – even when I contact the tax office. I genuinely appreciate the concept of Hygge: making yourself cozy at home with a cup of tea during poor weather or unearthing the lovely cafes in Copenhagen. In the summer, you're rewarded for having survived the winter. The quality of life is astonishingly high then, you can swim everywhere and the city has a fantastic atmosphere.
Relocating to Copenhagen was a risk for me. But it felt like the step to my supreme happiness. I simply realized that freedom is much more significant to me than security. Some might categorize my venture to migrate to Copenhagen as naive. I think I'm somewhat naive, but maybe that's part of it when I dare to delve into the unknown: raising my child alone with my partner without kin nearby. It's a challenge, but also an opportunity for us as a couple – to know that we are a team and can make it work just the two of us. But we also have a network of Danish friends for emergencies. Of course, it's different than having grandma nearby.
The new chapter as a massive transformation
Initially, I often felt incredibly lonely in Copenhagen, thought back to my life in Germany, and pondered how I would sustain myself in Denmark. But progressively, I grew really settled and now function as a freelance psychologist. It lent me a lot of courage to perceive this new start that I can manage such a substantial change in my life. And that it can indeed be advantageous when your life changes considerably. The notion that inspired me during my emigration was that I could always return to Germany and rebuild a life there if necessary."
For Denmark's future, I truly aspire to enhance my language abilities. When I'm in Germany, I appreciate speaking in my native language and incorporating aspects I can't quite express in Danish. It's a gift and a curse that communicating in English functions splendidly in Copenhagen, and English is also our family language. However, I aspire to comprehend better and establish more connections with Danes. So far, I discover it quite difficult to form Danish friendships, but I sense that when people here unveil, they are incredibly inviting.
The journey of Babette, as revealed in her narrative, led her from Germany to Denmark, where she found her deepest affection and ultimately settled. The world has offers and opportunities that can significantly impact our lives, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.
