As my return to Australia gets closer (4 more sleeps in Copenhagen) I'm starting to realise the things I have done for myself. It is easy just to go on with life and ignore the small things you have achieved but when those small achievements happen whilst living overseas they are so much more powerful and meaningful.
I am 21 years old. I still currently live in Copenhagen. Sometimes it just feels like I am visiting but then I have to remember - I pay rent, I have a job here, I pay taxes, I go to school, I now have friends here, I know my way around the city, I buy groceries every week, I have a bank account and most exciting of all, I am a citizen here. I am only 21 years old.
Some of the things, I have achieved with the help of others and some, I have gone out and done myself.
I know my original plan was to stay here for at least a year (I've been here 7 months) but nothing was actually set in stone. The only actual plan I had, was to get to Copenhagen. I got here - Everything else has just been an awesome bonus. I can't be disappointed that I didn't make it to one year because just getting to Copenhagen is a great achievement.
At the age of 19, I realised that if I really wanted to move to Copenhagen I would have to find a full-time job which would allow me to save money each week. I got myself that job. I stayed there for a year and a half, even through some shitty times, because I knew that money would get me where I wanted to go. I saved $200 a week until I moved out of home. I worked around it - I saved $100 a week. I made it work and I stuck to my savings plan because if I didn't, I wouldn't get what I really wanted. I even saved enough to visit America for 4 weeks. I did it all myself. I worked, I saved, I bought a plane ticket, I organised transport and papers, I caught an international flight by myself for the first time. I explored new cities alone, I had fun with just me (and others) and I learnt so much about myself.
I am 21! Shit, that makes me so proud of myself.
f.
