Finally, She Chose Herself

We both grew up in Hamburg, Germany, but in our 20s, we decided to take different paths and move to other countries. Jördis moved to Barcelona, while Jana ventured to New York City. Before this, we had already experienced some solo travels.

Those solo journeys gave us unforgettable memories but also taught us an important lesson: how to be with ourselves. When you spend a lot of time alone, you start to understand what truly makes you happy. You learn to listen to your intuition, trust your decisions, and prioritize what feels right for you. Choosing yourself can be a challenging path, but it’s one that helps you grow stronger and more confident.

Your 20s are a time to explore, make mistakes, and figure out who you truly are. Moving to a new country with a different culture and language offers one of the best opportunities for personal growth. It’s exciting to immerse yourself in new experiences, challenge your perspectives, and learn about the world and yourself. We feel grateful every day for the chance to follow our dreams and shape our own lives.

The more you listen to your intuition and follow what excites you, the more you realize how unique and interesting you are. You also start noticing how connected you remain to the people you love, even when they’re far away. Sometimes, we’ll laugh at a joke and immediately think, That’s exactly our dad’s sense of humor. Or when we’re enjoying a beautiful city or a magical moment, we think about our mom and know she’d appreciate it just as much. Whenever we come up with a unique question it reminds us of our grandpa because he always likes to think outside the box. And, of course, we treasure the advice from our grandma, who always reminds us to keep our standards high in life, love and health.

Living far from family has its difficulties. There are moments when you miss them deeply, and it can be hard not to have them close for comfort. But this distance also gives you an appreciation for what it means to trust yourself. You begin to value the lessons you learn through navigating life on your own and the independence that comes with it.

Feeling lonely is something we’ve both experienced. Instead of pushing it away, we’ve learned to embrace those feelings. There’s no shame in being lonely; it’s a natural part of life. In fact, it can teach you how to find comfort in your own company and remind you that as long as you have yourself, you are never truly alone. As Winnie the Pooh once said, How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Still, when loneliness feels overwhelming, small comforts can make all the difference. Calling your family on FaceTime, cooking a favorite soul food dish, or simply reminiscing about the good times can bring a sense of home back to you, no matter where you are.

Choosing yourself is an ongoing journey with highs and lows, but it’s one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. It’s about learning to trust your gut, embrace who you are, and live a life that feels true to you. For us, this journey continues every day, and we’re grateful for the experiences that shape who we are becoming.