Turning the Page: Moving Out And Moving On

Packing up memories, unpacking a new chapter of life

Today is a sunny Sunday morning, and I’m comfortably sitting on my sofa with my laptop, writing this newsletter to anyone who is reading.

I just recently started my Substack account and made a deal with myself to write here once a week.

That is why I felt overwhelmed (and a little bit stressed) when I had nothing to post last Sunday and ended up skipping the whole week.

But as they say, life happens, and with everything going on in my life right now, I don’t always find the inspiration, energy, or time to check off everything on my to-do list.

So last week I sacrificed my Substack post and prioritized packing—because after two years, I’m moving out of my cozy apartment.

Morning sun bathing to charge the cat-battery :)

Endings and New Beginnings

Moving out is overwhelming, and it’s not only about packing and organizing logistics.

It’s also about acknowledging that a part of my life is coming to an end.

The apartment I’ve lived in for the last two years will soon become just a memory.

Now, as I prepare to leave, I’m honoring my past while also embracing the unknown ahead.

The lake 5 minutes walk from my apartment. I came here to watch sunsets as often as I could. This is such a beautiful place.

I feel like there’s something beautifully poetic about it—like I’ve lived out a chapter, and now I’m turning the page, ready for whatever comes next.

The sadness that I feel makes total sense—it’s the weight of memories, familiarity, and the comfort this place has given me.

But at the same time, I’m stepping into something new, and that gives me hope for something better.

A new adventure is just around the corner

When my landlady informed me that I couldn’t extend my lease, the idea hit me immediately:

What if I just pack all my stuff, put everything in storage, take my cat, and go live somewhere else for a while?

Why not?

I’m completely free to do so!

I’ve always wanted to live in another European country, but the financial burden of paying rent in two places has always held me back. But now I have the perfect opportunity to do so!

So… Where would I want to go?

This is a story that will unfold in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

But for now, all I can say is—I’m moving more than 3,000 km away from where I’m currently based. It’s scary, but it also feels right.

My beautiful baby doesn’t know yet that she’s about to embark on an adventure and take the second flight of her life! Wish me luck with transporting her safely.

Lessons Learned

This past week I had a huge realization:

You have only yourself.

This is the only constant in the ever-changing world.

The rest—people, places, cities, lovers, friends—are temporary.

They come and go, they change, they disappear.

As soon as you accept that you have only YOU, you'll set yourself free.

I know this may sound a bit pessimistic, but to me, there’s beauty and power in this thought.

As soon as we learn to detach from everything external and let go of expectations, we find the peace we’ve been searching for.

Even though there are still two weeks before I finally move out, I decided that this walk was my official ‘goodbye’ walk to the lake—a kind of closure that I usually seek before something ends.

The Only Way Is Forward

You can’t stay still. You can’t remain static.

As life evolves, you have no choice but to evolve with it. And the only thing that matters is your perspective—you’ll either feel crushed by change or embrace the unknown and turn it into something meaningful.

Me? I’m choosing to make as much lemonade from those lemons as possible.

And on this sunny Sunday morning, as I sit here writing to you, I want you to do one thing:

Look at yourself in the mirror and say:

“Everything is unfolding for my highest good. I am capable of handling any challenge. I trust the process, even if I don’t see the full picture just yet. Life has a way of working out for me.”

Sending you love,

Your Dara.