Fresh off our latest Berlin apartment-hunting trip, I am full of angst as we wait to hear from the apartment we applied to, as well as finishing up the application to the second one we liked. What if the first responds and demands a signed contract before we hear back from the second, more affordable one? What if accepting the more expensive apartment means giving up too much, including the spending money with which to enjoy our new city and probably half our belongings? Or worse yet, what if we don't get accepted by either and have to start the whole process - including trekking all the way across the country - all over again?
Then I have to remind myself to breathe... and know that all these things are out of my control. Worrying will not solve anything. It will not make these people respond any faster, nor will it somehow make them realize how desperately we want to live there and accept us out of pity. Waiting is the worst, isn't it? The best I can do for now is to try to get back into my regular routine and know that whatever happens, happens. It will all work out in the end, and we will make it to Berlin.
Although, there's no harm in crossing fingers - or for Germans, pressing thumbs - in the meantime (you know, just in case)...
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Ahhh, my biggest Beschäftigung.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young, I was much better at telling myself not to worry when I can't change the outcome, but as I've got older and there are more things to worry about, I worry more often. Dammit.
I was the worst when I was young! At seven years old, I would stay up late, making sure my homework was finished and perfect, until my mom would rip it out of my hands and force me to go to bed. Though, perhaps that was more about being a big nerd than a worrier... I must agree though. Life sure was simpler then.
Deletei read the first sentence and immediately thought of the german definition of "angst"!
ReplyDeletei had this problem when applying to jobs and was full of worry, but then i got some good advice: take everything that is offered to you. you can always decline it a bit later when you've had another offer or time to think. of course this won't work if they are making you sign something immediately (sigh), but do what you can to say yes without signing, if at all possible. viel glueck!
Cynthia, it's so funny because as soon as I typed it, that's immediately what came to my mind and I thought for a split second - 'wait, that's not the right word!'. Ugh. The German-English mush that is now my brain.
DeleteThank you for the advice and well-wishes! This is exactly the train of thought we're on, having accepted the apartment offer, but keeping it open that if everything doesn't meet the specifications we have, we'll pass and start our search again. Not that I want to even think about that!
I can understand the worry. You just want to know the answer so you can move forward, right? Waiting is awful.
ReplyDeleteSeriously. It's that state of limbo that drives me crazy. Only now, we got the answer that we're accepted, but we're not signing the contract until this weekend... so now I'm fretting about affording it, fitting into it, and of course, worst case scenario, that something will go wrong with construction and it won't be ready when we need to move (and no longer have any place to live). I think my nerves need to be on a steady influx of wine so I don't give myself an ulcer.
DeleteIt's hard to get an apartment here in Frankfurt so I can imagine it's even harder in Berlin - a place that people actually WANT to move to!! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlotte! We should have our final answer on this place this weekend...
DeleteOh my god, this is exactly all the worries I had when I came to visit flats in Germany ! I felt sooo stressed. But don't worry, keep calm 'cause even in the worse situation, there is always a solution. You just have to be patient and tolerant ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck !
Iva
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