Some days as an expat, as a person, it’s important just to move; just to get out of the house and get some fresh air. All too often, especially during stressful or difficult times, you can find yourself giving in to those heavy burdens and just staying inside. It happens to me. It has been happening to me. During the summer, I could even use the excuse that it was “too hot” to go for a walk. We live on the third floor and there is not air conditioning in Germany (unless you buy a portable unit which can be very pricey on your electric bill) so I could usually get away with that excuse. I could justify it to myself to stay indoors, even with my son, and be a hermit. Yesterday, it was cool outside and I forced myself to get out of the house and take the boy for a much-needed walk.
I had almost forgotten how beautiful it is here. I have The Mosel River within walking distance. In fact, it borders our little village.
So, in case you are having one of those moments or feeling like you just don’t want to go out, come with me on this little virtual tour. Relax and feel the breeze and just for a moment, forget those heavy burdens. Get back to nature, fresh air and the pure things in life. Here we go!
We leave our house and in just a few short minutes we are on the unpaved road leading to the river. As we get closer to the river, the vineyards begin.
A few more steps and we are almost to the water. This day is perfect. We are mostly by ourselves with the exception of a few bicyclists. The heat from the sun becomes shadowed by the clouds. We can hear the current of the water and feel the coolness in the air. Finally, we can walk along the edge, watching the current, admiring the hillside covered in vineyards.
The cool breeze is so fresh, you know, the one that smells like Fall; a little reminder of the chilly weather that is soon to come.
Just as the sun starts to warm us again, we begin to leave the open area and enter the lovely tree-covered walk way.
We can hear church bells ringing and birds chirping.
The vineyards didn’t stop, but line the side of the walkway, dropping grapes along the path. The boy tries pulling them off the grape vines.
We have almost reached the end of the road, but I stop and take one more look at the water. Is there anyone else that can just stare at the river or the ocean for hours? Even my son watches and he is so quiet but smiles at me showing that he likes the fresh air too.
As a perfect end to this trail, we enter through this magical looking “doorway” with the bright sun peering in through the branches.
It truly is amazing how gorgeous nature can bring an instant sense of calm and also be so beautiful it inspires anyone to be a photographer.
We head back home now and I can’t help but kick myself for not doing this more often. Nature is at our core and can provide such instant stress relief. The fresh air alone is a good way to feel rejuvenated and clear your mind. I consider myself to be a mostly outgoing person, but it is so easy to be discouraged by the constant change that comes into your life as a new expat. Do your best and try to get out a little and see how much it helps to improve your mood. It definitely did for me!
Other expats, what are your stress-relieving tips when you are just beginning your new expat life and maybe don’t have a support system or routine yet?
I hope you enjoyed our little walk; nothing grand, but oh so special.
I remember feeling the exact same way while in Paris. I know, I know, people would say “But you live in Paris, how could you be bored?”. I had finished school and was simply looking for work (unsuccessfully), so my main social interaction of my school day was gone. I no longer had a purpose to get up, change out of pajamas, and leave my apartment. I literally had to force myself into a routine, no matter how simple it was. Just getting out of my small four walled cave made a HUGE difference in my mindset. For me, the trick was creating a schedule so I felt like I had a purpose - that was important to me. That phase did pass, and now looking back it doesn’t seem as terrible as it felt while I was experiencing it. Reminds me of a plaque on my aunt’s desk that reads, “This too shall pass… now would be good.” Hang in there!!
I have that plaque too! Haha! I’m doing well especially after that walk. I was so inspired I wanted to somehow convey that to everyone through this post. It was such a beautiful day!
Excellent! Glad to hear it!
Such beautiful scenery. Stopping by from SITS.
Thank you! So sorry for such a late response. Your comment ended up in my spam folder for some reason!
I think I stumbled across this post just at the exact right time. I am sitting here right now feeling stressed about various little things and reading this entry was nice. You do live in a very beautiful part of Germany, my corner is more so … eh, like a concrete jungle. I do have nice “nature-like” parts in my city and should explore them more often. I find myself doing the whole hermit retreat as well sometimes and then wonder to myself when I do eventually wander back outside why I don’t do this more often. Your blog was spot on and it did me good to read it
Wonderful pictures also!
Ummm….Josh….is it weird that we were commenting on each other’s blog at the same time? LOL Anyway, I’m glad it helped because that is exactly what I was trying to do. I think the city would be fun to explore especially if you don’t have children. I love this place for this time in my life, but BC (before child) I would have been jealous of a city area like yours! It’s all about timing and perspective. Thanks for stopping by!
Haha, I was actually thinking the same thing when I saw your reply to my post! Yeah, I definitely do like living in the city but looking at your nice relaxing pictures makes me smile - the vineyards and water all look so peaceful. I think wherever we live we sometimes take it for granted but we need to appreciate what we have. You said it exactly, timing and perspective
Great post!
Thank you! And if you are ever in the area or coming this way, let us know and maybe we can give you some must-see places!
What a beautiful area! Last winter I found it very hard to get out. Unlike during the summer and fall when I was eager to explore, it was too cold out and even my son would screech at the mention of riding on the bike or going for a walk - so we stayed inside a lot I’ve figured out the bus system now, but i worry about slipping into the same pattern this winter. I’m going to force myself into a routine though - maybe I’ll get a gym membership and get more scheduled activities to force me out!
Are there indoor places you could go to that you haven’t explored yet? Museums? Indoor zoo or aquarium? Maybe that would be fun for you guys and get you out of the house in the winter. I really hate the winter too. It’s so pretty but ice and I are not friends.
There’s an awesome indoor playground with cafe that’s not too far away, but your idea about museums is a good one. There’s always a museum around, and I LOVE museums =)
I think it will be a little different this year because he’ll be in school full time, so I just need to worry about keeping myself entertained during the week. I’m not looking forward to the freezing rain, but I can put on my big girl boots and force myself out if I have to. =)
Well either way, let me know! I’d love to read a post about that or a museum!
I know the feeling, sometimes you just feel like you don’t have anyone to hang out with or know what to do and you need to force yourself to get out and just see how beautiful the place you’re in is. Looks like you’ve got a pretty good one.
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Thanks! It is beautiful but you are right, sometimes it’s hard to do things by yourself all the time. You really do feel better once you get out though! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
What a perfect post! The green in your pics is so vibrant, and the images of water so peaceful. I felt like I was walking right along with you.
I’ve been working on a draft about the challenges of getting outdoors in the Middle East in the summer months, and your pictures just made me long for the great outdoors even more!
But your piece also reassured me that no matter how perfect or imperfect our surroundings, sometimes we just have to give ourselves that little nudge to get out the door.
Thanks!
Thanks Gypsy!
I bet it is hard to go out in the ME during summer! I can’t imagine. Speaking of, did you go to that Tom Jones concert yet? 
Not yet, C2C. Next week! Hopefully the humidity will have let up by then. If I’m not struck down by flying underpants I’ll let you know how it all turns out
Lol! If you ARE struck down by flying underpants you better post about it and share pictures!
You are so lucky to be living near that beautiful area! Nature has a way of really rejuvenating our souls, don’t you think?
Thank you! I do feel lucky and yes it does!
I thought about that today too…how easy it is to become a hermit. Everytime I stay in there is some excuse, today it was the rain and the unbreakable gloomy weather. Sometimes I push myself to be out there although I don’t want to…but when I return, somehow i feel rejuvenated. Thank you for sharing, tomorrow if it continues to rain I’m putting on my new red rain coat!
I’m so glad you could relate to my post and also enjoyed it. And oh a red rain coat? Sounds lovely! I need one!
Thanks for commenting!
You’re welcome! I look forward to reading more post from you. Cheers
What a great post! I loved all the pictures! Thanks for taking us with you on your walk.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful photos! You live in such a pretty area.
I could stare at water - especially the sea - for hours, too. It makes me sad that Karlsruhe is so far inland. Sure, it’s kind of on the Rhine, but I’d have to travel a bit to get there.
Some days this summer it really WAS too hot to leave the house. Those were the days I came straight home from work and refused to do any shopping! I don’t cope well with heat.
Thank you! And thanks for adding the part about summer being too hot this year. That made me feel better and a little normal!
I don’t do well in the heat either and I don’t remember Germany ever getting that hot when I lived here before!
Super behind on my blog reading!! But oh my gosh… what an amazing views! Thank you for this tour!! I hope to visit Germany one day… and this just makes me want to go even more!
That’s ok! Thanks for stopping by on going on my little virtual walk! It is very beautiful here and one of the reasons on my list of why I chose to live here.
Hope you’re able to visit Germany one day!
What a beautiful area!
Whenever I get the blues here, I go for a walk and clear my head. I soak up the sun and take in my surroundings and I always feel a bit better after
Nature and fresh air definitely have a way of soothing the soul!
Being an expat from the US to New Zealand, and being a hermit by nature, I am happy to say that our last move (to a house surrounded by dairy pastures and no houses close by) has such a wonderful feeling to it that I am so ready for spring so we can get a colorful garden planted. I plan to be out and about as much as possible!
Sounds great! Spring is a bit far away! Haha. What about fall and winter?
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