“Tell me, am I ever gonna feel again? Tell me, am I ever going to heal again?”
Hey everyone, it’s been a while since my last update – things have been hectic, and I haven’t had much time to indulge in my passions, gym sessions aside, of course. I kicked off this post with lyrics from a track that’s been on repeat since I stumbled upon it, perfectly capturing my current mood. I’m not entirely sure where this post is headed, but I’m trusting the writing process to lead the way.
It’s been a whirlwind two weeks since I landed in Seoul, immersing myself in the city’s vibrant energy and the Korean way of life. To my surprise, I’ve taken to Seoul quite well. My transition was made smoother by a new friend from a language exchange app, who not only shared a coffee and stories with me but also introduced me to some local spots. We capped off our meet-up with a mouthwatering Dak-galbi meal, marking my first culinary adventure in the city. This positive beginning has spurred me on to face other challenges head-on, including overcoming a mental block to hit the gym – my sanctuary, topped off with what I call my “emotional support cap.” Despite a little language barrier snag when buying a gym pass, the staff were super helpful, and another member even came to my rescue. There’s a genuine warmth to the people here that’s quite different from what I’m used to, and it’s making all the difference.
Ever since I arrived in Seoul, I’ve been on a mission to explore every nook and cranny, and I even joined a local gym, thanks to a super helpful staff member who walked me through everything. I’ve settled into a nice routine of regular workouts, savoring every session. This past weekend, I met up with a girl from my language exchange app, and wow, did we hit it off! She’s incredibly lively, chatty, super intelligent (a real polyglot), and just the sweetest. She planned our entire evening, and since we were both famished, we opted for BBQ. Despite the downpour that left us drenched on arrival, there’s something charming about the rain in Seoul. Over dinner, she taught me the art of Korean BBQ, introduced me to the wonders of Somaek, and even encouraged me to practice my Korean by ordering. Post-BBQ, she has this quirky tradition of visiting Olive Young to spritz on perfumes and hair products to mask the smoky scent. Craving something sweet, we indulged in an enormous Korean ice cream that was out of this world. The night wouldn’t be complete without belting out tunes at a Coin Karaoke, where we sang everything from Shawn Mendes to New Jeans and Jungkook. It felt like we’d known each other for years, and for two introverts to connect so effortlessly, that’s pretty special.
I had this moment of déjà vu here in Seoul, a sense of tranquility that took me back to my days in Japan – a feeling of peace, of being completely at ease. It’s elusive and hard to put into words, but it’s a sensation I rarely experience back in Switzerland, reinforcing my gut feeling that my time there is drawing to a close. Lately, I’ve been deep in thought about work, life, and my happiness. It all started with a question from my “Lavender” friend (you might remember her from a previous post). In a conversation about life’s paths, she asked, “Don’t I deserve to be happy?” And, without hesitation, my answer was a resounding “Yes.” We all have the right to pursue what brings us joy, without suffering through what doesn’t serve us. It takes guts to admit we’re not content and even more to change course. Reflecting on it all, I’ve mapped out my future steps – and you know what? I’m genuinely excited about the direction I’m heading.
Coming back to those song lyrics I mentioned, they remind me that healing and feeling whole again is a journey that takes time, just like everything else in life. This trip is a big piece of that puzzle, helping me unravel what I truly want. And honestly, I feel like I’m making great strides – I’m pretty sure I’m on the right track.
matcha latte on a rainy night 