From my misc-pics-box here is a photo from the extremely elegant, instagrammable and picturesque public library of Stuttgart.
Welcome to Bloganuary Day 2 – 2nd January 2023.
Today’s prompt is: How are you brave?
While moving from India to Germany 3 years ago, I had to leave my comfort zone and start afresh. I was excited but I was also afraid. What if everything didn’t work out according to my plans? What if I hate it there?
I was starting a new life but was scared of leaving behind my old life. I moved further away from my family, left my well settled life in Bangalore, my wonderful support system of friends who were like family, my comfortable and fulfilling job at ISRO.
As a new immigrant in Germany, I had to cope with the many challenges that most immigrants face – looking for an apartment, searching for a job, figuring out the beaurocracy, completing all the paper work etc. And doing all of this in German made it a bit more complicated. The last 3 years have been wonderful. But the road has had it’s fare share of bumps.
Today I can only look back and feel grateful for being brave enough to take the plunge in spite of all the doubts and fears. If I hadn’t left my comfort zone back then, I wouldn’t have been rewarded with this new found comfort zone and a beautiful life that I live and love.
I know that no one deserves a bravery medal for moving to another country. But in my tiny world, it was a brave move.
Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.
Paulo Coelho
the drifting satellite 
Moving outside your comfort zone. Pretty brave and adventurous.
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Adventurous indeed. Thanks! 😊
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Moving is not easy. But it is sometimes necessary part of our life. When we moved here 25 years ago it was a struggle and remember we can speak good English. I applaud your move to a country that doesn’t have English as it’s first language! 👌👌
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Thanks for your kind words 😊. But I must admit, I had a major advantage to help me. I had learnt German as a 3rd language from class 6th to 10th at school in India. After moving here I realised that it was just the basics, with no focus on speaking and listening, but more on grammar etc. Even after 15 years with no contact or practice, it did help me a lot because my foundations were clear. It’s like riding a bike. Once you’ve learnt it as a child, you never forget. For my husband it was tougher to learn a language from scratch at the age of 32, but he’s also at a good level now. We both work in English, so that’s a blessing 😇. But knowing German definitely makes life easier here because all official correspondence is in German. We take evening language classes and are glad to have friends and neighbours with whom we frequently talk in German to practice and improve. 🤓
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That is great!
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I’ve been enjoying the different quotes on bravery I’ve been seeing today, this one especially! Leaving your home country is a weird and wild experience. I did that in 2022 (from the U.S. to China), and I still can’t believe myself.
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That’s great Briana! And I wish you all the best with your adventures in China 🙂
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