Don’t Call it a Dream . . . Call it a Plan

“Get back in touch with an old friend you’ve not seen for a while”

Taking the advice above of one of this weekend’s daily actions for happiness, I got in touch this evening with one of my best friends in the UK, who I have known since I first went to live in Münster, Germany back in 2009, and he was my line manager at work. They were also through their role with the British Army, the person that introduced me to my passion of being a Career Development Practitioner.

Wanderlust n. A strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world

I don’t know why, but ever since I first saw a picture of Im Martinswinkel in Cologne randomly pop up on a story feed a few months ago whilst I was in Lockdown in Melbourne, I have been captivated and continue to be fascinated by this old market square. There is something about it that draws me to it, and though I can’t explain my subconscious reasons, I feel that this is the place I need to explore. Maybe it is the colours of the buildings, or some other reason that draws me to it. My friend is well up for it, and also think it looks amazing. He can’t believe that he don’t know that part of Cologne.

So, what do you do on a Sunday evening with your best friend who is on the other side of the world? Let them know about my feeling the need to visit this place, and plan for us to explore it together, once we are allowed to travel again, and it is once more safe to travel. Realistically, I don’t believe this will be happening this year. I am hoping that if not this year, then we will be able to meet up next year for my milestone birthday (yikes!!).

Happiness is . . . planning a trip to somewhere new

We were meant to have met up in Cologne for a weekend during May 2020, as we haven’t seen each other since 2018 when I last visited the UK. Although we didn’t get to catch up, and had to put plans on hold, it is a great and exciting feeling to know that we will pick up our plans when we can.

One of my regrets when I lived in Münster was that the only part of Cologne I got to know, was the Hauptbahnhof, as my former husband never had any interest in exploring Cologne. Ever since my grandparents gave me a bottle of bubble bath in a gorgeous glass decanter from Cologne after one of their trips to Germany when I was about 10 years old, I have been fascinated by this city. I will never again make the mistake of allowing anyone to stop me from following my interests.

I’m also hoping to meet up with some Career Development Practitioners based in Germany who I have met via LinkedIn over the last 12 months during this trip. It will be great to be able to discuss and compare in person how career development guidance is similar in both Germany and Australia.

Of course, spending time with my best friend will no doubt end up with some ‘interesting’ stories to tell (or not tell) especially after visits no doubt to the Bier Kellers and of course relaxing in Biergartens if the weather is nice. We might be older since our time spent living in Germany, but it is nice to be able to look forward to having fun . . . they wonder if I will channel my inner bier wench whilst back in Germany. Who knows? All I can say is that despite the uncertainties of these unprecedented times, having travel plans to look forward to, gives me a sense of hope and happiness for 2021.