4 positive ways moving to Germany changes you
- Val
- May 11, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 15, 2021
A renewed or new passion for the outdoors. A heightened sense of responsibility towards climate change. Confort over appearance. Among others

I am now well into my second year of living in Munich and have noticed some changes taking place slowly but surely concerning the way I live my daily life.
Living the outdoors life
Lakes, forests, cute little villages, mountains, and parks are surrounding Munich, and are perfect destinations for a day out in the green, easily accessible, and just plain beautiful. The city of Munich itself is full of parks and gives the feeling of living in a giant blossoming garden once spring and summer are at the door. Here you don't head to the pub but to the Biergarten, which is a garden, some benches, and tables, drinks, and food. Simple and beautiful.
As soon as there is a bit of sun, or even on a gray warm day, you can see people out on their bikes or heading to a mountain hike, to a picnic, or simply walking around the parks, ice cream in hand, naturally. When they are not having a little barbecue by a lake or the Isar river.
I was first a bit reticent to spending so much time outdoors, having a big fear of little flying stinging objects such as wasps and hornets, little "wonders" of nature that overtake the city from April till October, to my biggest sadness. However, step by step, I started enjoying how good it felt being out for so long, in a city and region with great air quality. I took steps to control my fear, to enjoy fully the upcoming summer.
I am not yet ready for wild camping, but let's catch up in another year of living in Germany.
Health is a priority
One of the first things I have learned here is that to get your free dental check and cleaning proposed by your insurance, you are obliged to go to the dentist once a year. Now, this may sound unpleasant but it is great in the sense that it forces you to get your dental health checked there and avoid having to go only once things are bad and painful.
Moving on to health insurance, it is compulsory to have one here, and its price is taken directly from your salary. You will also be covered if unemployed since you have already contributed to it when you worked. And these health insurances are actually quite good and all-encompassing. I could for instance easily go to the doctors, the dermatologist, the dentist, or even the cardiologist without having to pay exorbitant amounts there, or pre-pay before waiting for ages for a reimbursement from my insurance. You just give your health card and that is it. Being able to access so easily health services enabled me to get things checked and I am in much better health than I have ever been before.
Finally, and this is linked to the afore-mentioned part of this post, outdoor activities and sports are encouraged here, which generally will encourage you to just be good to yourself, and avoid things that could hinder your performance or well-being, such as, cigarettes (I am over 2 months smoke-free, and altogether only one cigarette since January!).
Conscious about the environment
It is sad to admit, I did care about climate change before moving here but did not take enough responsible steps towards protecting the planet. Here you need to separate glass by colours, plastic, residual waste, organic waste, paper, and collect your empty consigned glass bottles to bring them back to the shop.
Once you start sorting out the trash and bringing it regularly to nearby collection points, you start visualizing much better the amount of plastic that you are using per week. And this naturally incites you to use less and to be careful when at the shop.
Quite a few people here are vegan and vegetarian, despite the Wurst being the German symbol, and the green parties are getting votes. The overall attitude towards the environment here is eco-friendly, I'd say. From the use of renewable energy to the number of "insect hotels" in gardens. All of this has increased my awareness of my own footprint and consumption.
Body confidence
So we have covered the changes in the approach towards health, the great outdoors, and climate change. Now let's talk a bit more about something that has been quite striking for my friends and me when we took the step of living here.
Your whole relationship with your body changes. I have grown up in a country rife with sexism and been bombed with advertising glorifying perfectly shaved shiny legs, completely photoshopped bodies at all times, and nudity oversexualised. Though not perfect, the norm here in Germany is much more natural, let's say, and there is much less pressure to achieve this "perfect" body.
Nudity is just normal and accepted. People are used from a young age to seeing normal bodies around them and are not expecting a perfectly shaved armpit or a cellulite-free leg. People just tend to privilege comfort without necessarily compromising style, and seeing faces without make-up is normal. And it is so refreshing. I have not yet attempted the naked sauna experience here, it will take a few more months or years, but at least I am much more comfortable in my own body.
To conclude this post I would just like to say that this is my own perception of things, nothing scientifically proven or so, and it goes in line with growing older in general and getting more aware of your own health, well-being, and overall ethics. I would be interested to know whether you share some of these opinions? Or would like to add anything from your own experience?
Comments