Reaching for a dream from Denmark.

Step 1. Decision. 

I don’t remember the exact moment when the thought about living in Spain occurred to me for the first time. Some years ago I started to have this unshaped vision so I started Spanish lessons. Just to catch basics. Then I moved to Denmark, then my boyfriend arrived, then I gave birth to our child. And Spain reappeared often during our conversations. And finally, we’ve got a plan to move on the Iberian Peninsula.

Step 2. Deadline.

We postponed the final date many times. Because of the winter and snow on the roads, because of the summer and high prices, always something. But the seed was sown and we made a decision at last. And we got deadlines. First, three months notice for the apartment. Second, flight tickets. One way to Poland… Yes, I am aware Poland is not really on the way, however, we decided it would be a good time for a visit. We will be busy later on in Spain so we can use the time for the family now. Third, last days at our jobs.

Step 3. Goodbyes.

Work. I do take my job seriously. Whatever I do, I give my best. And I guess, this is what my employers notice. They know they can count on me. Besides, I had really nice bosses. I wanted to bring something to say goodbye and thank you. I bought Polish sweets (ptasie mleczko) but I also made a jelly cake. I tried so hard but in the end, it didn’t look as good as it should. I only wished that it tasted well. Anyway, it was a nice afternoon and I’ve got some presents! Suncream with high factor 50 from colleagues and some cash for a return ticket from bosses 😀 It is a great feeling to be appreciated!

Friends. We organized a party at home. There were 16 people and for a moment I was afraid we need a bigger room, but eventually, it was all right. Nobody complained. I was living in Denmark for over 5 years. Those people that came to say goodbye were my great friends. I felt supported by warm words, kind gestures, and presents. With some, we didn’t meet often enough, but I am sure we’ll remember each other.

Things. They have a tendency to accumulate with time. As I said, I was in Denmark more than 5 years, although not in one place. I changed houses 5 times. Thanks to that, and to byttemarked as well, my apartment wasn’t too cluttered. Still, there were too many things. Slowly I got rid of them. I was selling clothes I no longer used, baby stuff which he grew out or some bigger things we couldn’t take on board. I was posting them on the Internet and we took part in local loppemarked . Some things I gave away for free, some, unfortunately, ended up in a garbage bin. A summary looks quite good though. Despite very low prices, I put onto things and endless discussions with potential buyers which never showed up, I am satisfied. I earned some money and the things will be used by those who need them more.

Step 4. Packing.

With fewer things and two days to the flight, I started packing. I took everything out of the wardrobes and discovered, that it is still too much. And clothes are the easiest part. The most difficult are those little things that never seem to finish. Anyway, I want to share a few packing hacks:

• I have a few pairs of shoes. I wouldn’t say my collection is too big and I really use them all. Anyway, to use the space to maximum, I put small stuff like perfume, bottles, magnets, socks into the shoes. Between the shoes in the box, I put some more socks or sunglasses. My moving box with shoes was filled up to the top!
• Shirts, pants etc. I roll so they take up less space and they are easier to cram into free area. Give it a try!
• There are special vacuum bags. But usual garbage bag works as well. Put your clothes in, drain the air with a vacuum cleaner and wrap quickly with a string. Just be careful not to make a hole in the bag!
• Glass bottles and other fragile things I wrap into bubble wrap and/or into the shoe. 😉
• My flight is two days before my partner’s departure so it leaves him as the last person to check everything and pack all the tiny things hiding behind a sofa or in the corner of the bathroom. I know, many would say, I would do it better… But well, a small portion of trust and you really have less on your shoulders! To say the truth, it just happened like this accidentally, but I really wouldn’t mind and Jurek got the job done with flying colors!

Step 5. Departure.

The big day had come. Time to leave Denmark behind. Was it difficult? To be honest, not really. The hardest part was saying goodbye to friends, knowing I won’t see them in some time, but apart from that, it was OK. I didn’t feel sad. Just got ready and took off to the airport. Maybe it was because we’ve been looking forward to this for so long that last few months in Denmark were just waiting time? Maybe because from the beginning we didn’t consider Denmark as our final destination? Maybe we just didn’t feel like home there. I believe that this sense of lightness is a good sign.