We've long since returned to Switzerland, but Germany won't let us go. These summer months are still clinging to us, hanging in our minds like the last rays of sunshine over the harvested fields. And we? We record what cannot be recorded. In our diary here - not empty scribblings, but pure life. A treasure that we won't give away. Not for all the money in the world.
We also have our low points. In everyday life, we sometimes forget how lucky we are, how much gratitude we should feel and what we have already experienced. Especially when we are preparing our presentations and browsing through countless pictures and videos, we realise again and again what a wonderful life we have been given.
Of course, not everything fell into our laps. We took many things into our own hands: planning, dreaming, deciding and most importantly - simply doing. We have tried, changed, tried again and have perhaps become a little smarter. Or at least more experienced. Yes, more experienced is probably a better word.
We are grateful. Grateful for the coincidences, if there are any, and the opportunities we have been given. And grateful to ourselves for seizing and realising the opportunities. Maybe it's really just the doing that keeps us on the road.
We have actually been living on the road for over four years now, and for almost three years in our beloved Felix, which we cherish anew every day (and today especially hope that it passes the MFK test, the Swiss MOT). We feel how wonderful life is in this self-chosen freedom. Not a day is boring, not a day we wish for a different life. Because we can hardly avoid each other, we have no choice but to really get to know each other. And lo and behold - suddenly we begin to appreciate things that we would otherwise have preferred to avoid.
Boredom as part of our very own journey
Boredom has a thousand faces. Sometimes it creeps up on us secretly, attacks us unexpectedly. Sometimes, however, we create it ourselves, and that is precisely where its inestimable value lies. Because it means spending time with ourselves. No plans, no noise, just being. Thoughts that flit around like birds in the sky. An emptiness that does not hollow us out, but fulfils us. But what do we do? Most of the time we demonise it, want to sweep it away as if it were dirt. But in this (outer?) In a hectic world, boredom is a precious gift. The only place where something still grows within us. Where there is nothing going on, ideas sprout.
And then, in this silence, we discover what we have long forgotten. The gentle rustling of the leaves, the earthy scent of rain, the soft light that steals through our dusty side windows. The world that we overlook because we are always running somewhere else. Serenity - that's what it gives us. No running, no tugging. And suddenly we understand: Doing nothing, wanting nothing, expecting nothing - that's life. The real thing.
We don't want to succeed in doing nothing at all.
Nevertheless, we are travelling through the country much more calmly, much more attentively. We linger longer in places, talk more with the people we meet, return to the same bakery again and again and observe the birds in the bushes and trees much more intensively. I let myself drift across the lakes and rivers on my SUP. We pull out our chairs much more often, read, knit (still meditation for me), talk and yes, work too. And it feels pleasantly boring, really pleasantly boring. With a wonderfully extended boredom.
And the best thing about it: we are making plans. But more about that another time.
The pictures were taken in and around Brandenburg an der Havel and near Leipzig. During active boredom.
Merci for "travelling with us
Here you can find our future lectures:
Our current and past lectures are listed here. You can register via the links next to the dates. There will probably be new ones every now and then, so make a note of the link!
Date: 25 & 26 October 2024
Our lectures: 25. 10. 14:00 & 26.10. 10:40
Location: Switzerland, two Vanlife lectures at the Suisse Caravan Salon Bern
Registration: not necessary, but you have to pay admission to the Caravan Salon (or contact us, we can give away a few day tickets).
Date: 24 November 2024 4 pm (doors open at 3 pm)
Location: Germany, Landgasthof zum Mühlenteich 15345 Eggersdorf near Berlin
Registration: https://forms.gle/5XFgSz31NKzmCzmT8
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Oh, what lovely thoughts from you!
Thank you very much!
Dear Dirk, thank you for your feedback! We always enjoy jotting down our (travelling) thoughts...
Best wishes to you all!