The constant pushing and pulling does make me wonder if it’s the right decision — We’ve known each other for nearly six years. We’re good, but her doings confuse the heck out of me. Let’s call my friend C. She was one of the first friends I made when I came to Berlin. We clicked from the start and have been hanging out ever since…

It denotes an upcoming change in our relationship and a loss of something I never received — I avoid these posts like pre-pandemic morning rush hours in the subway. I mute and unfollow accounts left and right, but it’s all in vain. They still find their way to me. They infiltrate my feed and penetrate my mind. Getting a baby is a permanent, life-changing decision. Those who…

The baby wagon is in full motion for women around my age, and I have no intention of hopping on. — In primary school, the boys and girls had separate changing and shower rooms. I remember exchanging our ideal kid count, for later “when we’d grow up”. Every single girl convincingly stated how she wanted to have a boy and a girl, or two girls, or sometimes even three. I was…

It hasn’t in a long time and I doubt it will be of significance in the future. — I sped home, filled with joy and excitement. Today, the other kids and I were assigned to craft the most important woman in our lives something special. It was Mother’s Day, and as always, the school wouldn’t let us go home empty-handedly. Handcrafts were my favorite primary school occupation. This…

It needs to be practical too. — “We love each other deeply, but we cannot be together,” I told her. “Why not?” she asked me. “I don’t want to co-parent with someone who uses substances every day. If we’d live under the same roof, I’d inhale what they use, and unwillingly be high all day long, maybe…

Or risk your message getting lost in translation. — Children’s chatter and buzzing were audible from afar. I followed the sounds into the gym, now converted into a lunch hall. Some brought a lunch pack their parents prepared for them, while others ate a hot meal. A long queue stretched across the hall, leading to the hot meals. I…

There’s a fine line between courting someone and harassment. — Springtime in Berlin “Hey, how are you doing?” I looked up from my phone and saw a man who I did not know. From his stance, I could see he was trying to make an advance. I applaud his bravery, as rejection always lurks around the corner. “What are you doing?” he asked…

They will pull you up to new heights of potential. — You’ve finished the grueling job of cutting countless vegetables for an oven dish you know your partner will enjoy. The table is set, and the kitchen tidied up. Only ten minutes left before you both can sit down and enjoy your meal together. …

In a few spare minutes, people show their best sides through patience and understanding. — On one particular occasion I screwed up a work task that brought me to tears. I was scheduling a seasonal mailing for a client when, due to a bug in the scheduling tool, it got sent out too early to a database of 40K plus people. I gasped when I…

Customer Service conversations I vividly remember to this day. — Once upon a time I held a job at Customer Service. I took on inbound phone calls to answer common and uncommon customer inquiries. On a busy day, I could speak with up to 150 people. …

It is possible, if you are both able to see past your differences. — Friendships can emerge out of all sorts of corners, places, venues and events. They can start in the comment section of a forum thread, at a drawing event, in the vegetable aisle of your local supermarket. …

There might come a time where the relationship cannot continue to sustain. What happens then? — As you move through life, you will come in contact with all sorts of people. Some stay lifelong friends, others stay by your side for some months, or years, while others are mere passers-by. I’ve come to see this as part of the seasons of life. Imagine spending your entire…