Creative Gardening, Deep Work and Living in Berlin at 38.

I’m sitting at my favorite neighborhood cafe in Berlin as I write this, nibbling on a delicate vegan chocolate crepe cake, sipping soul-warming Hojicha latte, watching the snow drift outside.

As I mark another year on the calendar, I’m reading my birthday reflections from last year, and thinking what a shift in mindset the last several months have brought. It’s not an age or wisdom thing, though at 38, maybe it ought to be. It’s the absolute serendipity of a Buddhist Psychology course that initiated me into an unexpected inner journey, and flipped my approach to life and travel in ways I couldn’t have fathomed.

At 38, I’m reflecting on a year that has let me feel grounded and navigate my existentialism better.

The pull towards deep work

For the past several years, I’ve put an incredible amount of energy, effort, attention and time into social media. I’ve reaped the benefits: incredible travel and work opportunities, a beautiful community of conscious travellers, virtual chats that’ve turned into heartwarming in-person connections. But I’ve also borne the downfalls: addiction, anxiety, the constant need for social validation.

In recent times, I’ve been facing an inner rebellion, a strong calling towards deep(er) work. The kind that takes months and years to sow, may or may not ever reach harvest, but has the potential to blossom into something lifelong.

That means this year, I’m consciously trading (much of) my social media time for long term legacy work.

Also read: The Journey of a Thousand Miles Began With Curiosity

Going back to the places I love

As someone who constantly chases newness, I’m witnessing an unexpected shift within: the desire to return to the places I’ve loved. To be nourished by them, to make deeper connections, to scratch beyond the superficial layers.

Since we moved to Berlin a few months ago, I find myself wanting to work from the same cozy spots that spark my creative flow, and eat at the same vegan spots that’ve blown away my taste buds (despite all the choices!). Going back to cities and villages we’ve loved in Egypt and Thailand in recent times has felt soul-nourishing in ways I’m finding hard to explain.

I’m not saying no to epic new experiences, but I guess I’m feeling just as content going back to places I’ve been before. Perhaps because I can experience them with new eyes each time?

Also read: Community, Conservation and Connection: Highlights of 3 Months in East Africa

The need for ‘creative gardening’

I love how often the idea of tending to our ‘creative gardens’ comes up in my writing group. Before the pandemic, my garden was almost entirely nourished by the road. But in the years since, despite all my creative dreams and outlets, I haven’t spend enough time tending to it.

I’ve been working towards changing that and feel greedy for all sorts of creative inspiration: books, films, museums, events, conversations. Especially now, when the world seems to be falling apart, I need constant reminders on why our work – as writers, artists, poets, creatives – matters.

Also read: Seeking Mindful Hustling, Flow and Joy at 36

The sweet spot in Berlin

After three years in Goa and two in Himachal, the stars magically aligned for us to make Berlin our next year-long base! I thought the most exciting thing was going to be having all of Europe at my doorstep by train… but turns out, it’s also being in Berlin itself.

Despite being a big city, I love the pockets of slowness it offers. We cycled through stunning parks, forests and lakes amid the magnificent colors of autumn, and now in winter, I love the slow days of being snowed in (although I’m ready to shed the winter layers)! I’ve been hanging out at silent reading clubs, going on vegan group hikes, attending talks at independent bookstores, and this is the week of Berlinale – the Berlin film festival where we’re catching movies from Iran, Palestine, the Balkans and other corners of the world.

The city feels like the perfect sweet spot between travelling and slow living… but ask me again in a year 😉

From my newsletter: A City I Never Thought I’d Call “Home”

Something big is coming…

My great joy of turning 38 is linked to something I’m not yet ready to share… but here’s a hint: I’ve quietly been working on one of the biggest projects of my life so far, and I should be able to tell you about it in just a couple of months. Stay tuned!

How are you doing in your current revolution around the sun?