How I got my inspiration back

It only took yet another move and a drastic work-life decision 😅

Well, here we are, half a year later. I have not kept the promise to myself to post regularly. I went through a 6-months or so "page blanche" syndrome, as we say in French.

No inspiration, no will to write, most of my creativity was used for my former job.

But this post is not about complaining. This post celebrates my creativity coming back, alongside two life changes.

As you have read in the header, I have moved and am now based in Regensburg, Germany.

About two months ago, I left Munich and moved to this charming city with medieval vibes.

This coincided with the decision to go part-time and freelance.

And ever since, life is looking up.

I have mixed feelings when it comes to my time in Munich. I really tried to like my life there. Yet it did not work out.

Be it a mix of the pandemic, non-fitting job, and reduced social life. Or simply a city whose "vibes" did not align with mine.

The reality is that I did not enjoy my life there.

I did not hate it, either. I know lovely people there, my flat was super comfortable, and the quality of life was high.

But, when asked, are you happy in Munich? The answer was simply a big no.

My boyfriend and I both being unhappy with our lives there, we moved to Regensburg, close to the city where he grew up.

And the sun started shining again. How terribly cliché.

Regensburg is not that big, but it has all I need. Irish pubs, lots of green areas, old and colourful medieval buildings, museums, good restaurants, plenty of shops and, most importantly, a large river with lots of boats passing by, which I get to see from my living room.

Regensburg feels open. Open to travels and opportunities. I can float mentally to Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest…

Regensburg is much more friendly than Munich. People smile more here.

I find in Regensburg cultural aspects that remind me of the good sides of France, such as sitting at the terrasse of a café watching people go by. Simply enjoying the moment.

I joined the pole studio there and was shocked at how nicely I was welcomed. I do not feel like a foreigner, contrary to my experience in Munich where, at the first hints of my French accent, I could notice people embarrassingly trying to stop the conversation.

I do not want to generalize, it could be that I have not been lucky meeting the right people. It happened enough times to me to think I should include it here.

Quitting Munich meant quitting my latest job at a start-up, and jumping into the unknown - the freelance world.

Though lovely on paper, my job ended up not being a fit. All the side effects of my previous experience came back running, massive stress, fragile work-life balance, and negativity. I am not made for the start-up world, and that is fine. I am not made for the Munich way of life, and that is fine as well.

I find myself much happier now, taking my time and working with local companies.

All is not pink as well, it is not that easy finding clients as a French native living in Germany, but my overall levels of happiness are going up.

And with it, my inspiration.

I am painting again, practising more sports, trying out different writing styles, and practising my German with more people.

Regensburg’s scenery inspires me as well. The sunsets on the Danube and the Regen, the hilly surroundings of the city, the twisted houses surrounding the cathedral, the lively nightlife, the many little shops... It has a soul, something Munich lacked, in my opinion.

So I guess the moral of this personal blurb is if you have the opportunity to move to a different city, do it. It is fine to make drastic changes if you can. I was terrified by yet another move and thought I could only be happy in Dublin, but I am discovering that I was potentially wrong, and that feels great.