The Viennese Cure
I often hear the phrase, “that changed my life,” get thrown around in conversation as
much as like or literally,but tend to ignore its inappropriately casual use.
After this summer
break, however, that phrase carries much more weight - my family’s
whirlwind excursion to Central Europe genuinely changed my life. This
may sound a bit
cliché but, over a period of 9 days, I discovered my
passion, found my ground, and learned
the secret to happiness.
In
July, my family and I went with Adventures By Disney to the Czech
Republic, Germany, and Austria. In Prague, we visited famous sites like
the Astronomical Clock and the Charles Bridge. Surrounded by the Alps in
Berchtesgaden, we hiked up the mountains and saw the old towns and
majestic castles below. Finally, in Vienna, we walked along the
Ringstraße and marveled at the beautiful city brimming with rich history
and culture. Although these awe-inspiring sights alone are enough to
spark change in a person, it was my observations and experiences that
made my vacation transformative.
Over
the years, I’ve changed my dream job more times than I can count. I’ve
wanted to be a fashion designer, a chef, a screenwriter, and, for about
three days, a lawyer. Despite this rotation of varying professions, a
few things have always remained true: a love of travel and exploring
unknown places, a passion for getting to know and making friends with
all types of people, and a steadfast motivation to learn new things.
After telling my parents on the first night of the trip that our tour
guides, Giselle and Andy, have the most amazing jobs in the world, my
life goals took a sudden and major turn. I left behind all other notions
of future profession and decided that I want to be an Adventures By
Disney tour guide when I am older. Imagining I was in a cartoon, I
pictured the clouds over my head rolling away and the sun shining down
on me. Thinking about who I am and the things I have always loved and
desired, this career path seemed to make the most sense. In that moment,
my future seemed clearer than it ever has, which is the greatest
possible breath of fresh air for an anxious teenager like me.
Growing
up as an only child with parents who have full-time jobs, I’ve learned
how to entertain myself. This independence mixed with a very active
imagination has, in the past few years, turned out to be a disquieting
combination. Instead of living in the here-and-now, my mind is often off
in a daydream. However, after my sudden change of ambition, I became
much more focused and snapped out of my fantasy world. Rather than
dreaming about how great my life could be, I started taking steps to
better myself, like learning German online and going on college tours.
I’ve moved from wishing good things would come my way, to working to
make my dreams a reality. Armed with my newfound motivation, I feel
ready for all that life throws at me.
Many
have written books, articles, movies, etc. on man’s never-ending search
for happiness. Although some will disagree, I believe the Viennese have
uncovered the secret to happiness in the proverbial feeling of gemütlichkeit. A German word with no direct English translation, it is often compared to our feelings of coziness and contentedness. Gemütlichkeit
describes the atmosphere of the famed Viennese coffee shops, a social
spot where one could meet and chat with friends or just sit quietly
alone for hours on end. However, gemütlichkeit
can be felt on the streets of Vienna as well. Coming from New York
City, I feel the need to always be rushing somewhere or be stressed
about something. It is the opposite in Vienna - everyone strolls through
the small streets and alleyways, window shopping and admiring the old
buildings. I could tell that even the locals had the time to stop and
smell the roses. Because of this laid-back lifestyle, there exists a
high quality of life in Vienna. Although I bought souvenirs on my trip,
the most valuable thing that I’ve taken back is the gemütlichkeit
mindset, something that I think will be especially helpful during
stressful times in the school year. It’s important to remember that,
despite how many things you have on your to-do list, you always have
time to relax for a minute and adjust your mood so you never lose that gemütlichkeit feeling of contentedness - that’s the Viennese cure for an unhappy life of chaos and stress.
Although
I may change my dream profession some years down the line or one day
snap back into my habit of daydreaming, my Central European vacation has
helped to focus my thoughts, motivate me for my future tasks, and teach
me how to go about my life in the most productive and fulfilling way
possible. In addition, I’ve learned about fascinating histories and
cultures, and saw some of the world’s most beautiful sights. Above all,
this trip has instilled in me a beckoning sense of adventure and a
curiosity for what life has waiting for me just around the corner.
Have you ever been on a trip like Nina's? Comment below
xx
Christina Madeleine
