Today I leave for my 5 month adventure to Berlin to start my new job as a spy on the TV series Berlin Station. It’s kind of surreal to think that I’m leaving my friends and family for this extended amount of time but it’s the nature of the job. I’ve compared it to being a student who’s about to embark on a study abroad semester. I don’t know what to expect or what will come from my time in Berlin but I do know there’s an importance in being mentally prepared before leaving for a long trip without your family and your best friends.
SERIOUSLY, for the kids that have studied abroad, did you have to get mentally prepared for what was ahead of you? Think about it, you’re already heading there with 5 months of your belongings, so you definitely don’t want to bring along MENTAL baggage as well. Whether you’re traveling for work, like myself, or to study, it takes a certain mental strength to get through anything new.
There’s different ways to clear yourself of mental baggage before a new journey. One way, one simple way, is communicating. I am grateful that I have friends that I can openly express the personal things I worry about in regards to my trips, discussing it ahead of time allows me to be more prepared for what’s ahead of me. But there are all kinds of things you may want to communicate with your friends and/or family before you leave. Whether it’s clearing the air on a previous argument, expressing forgiveness for a friend, discussing your feelings with a friend or even a lover. Clearing the air will be a healthy experience, especially before leaving for an extended amount of time. Those lingering thoughts will get in the way of you fully embracing your journey and taking care of your task at hand. I say this to say, release yourself of unnecessary baggage before you head on a journey. I am really excited about the possibilities that Berlin will bring and although I will miss my family and friends, I am leaving carefree and fully open to the experience that is ahead of me.
