Twenty-five years ago, had anyone told 20-year-old Kim that one day she would leave behind the familiarity of home, with all its family, friends, culture, and infrastructure, she would’ve scoffed and immediately rolled her eyes dramatically. Little did I know that is what I would be doing these many years later.
If you believe in fate, then this story is for you. And if you’re a believer in coincidence, then this story is for you.
At any intersection, I am a person who seizes the opportunity and puts quite a bit of stake into all of those memes, “You only regret the chances you didn’t take.” The Gospel according to Memes. Here is my story so far…
Starting my Journey at 40 
My journey as a nomad began not in the season of life when it would have been more logical to make such brave choices, but rather after getting hitched and having three kids – I was in my early forties. I want to take this moment to give hope to those who think they’re ‘just too old’ or too stuck in their ways to risk it – believe me when I say it’s worth it. That being said, this decision followed some personal issues I’d rather not go into, but let’s say that through an online connection with a music producer, I learned how to assemble an entire song. What started as an ardor for music blossomed into a freelance entrepreneur business, and I wanted to further these possibilities into a budding, vibrant future for myself.
Taking a Chance
I took a chance, so off I went to Aachen, Germany in 2016 to meet a music producer friend of mine. This producer was the only one who gave me a shot, despite being musically unskilled and untrained, and I’m so thankful for that. It was my first time crossing the Atlantic in a large metal bird; I will always remember it like it was yesterday – a remarkable feat even now at my age planted in the over 50 year-old-crowd.
Learning German…An impossible Feat?
Having always been intimidated by the thought of facing numerous challenges ahead of me, I never expected to be as clueless as I was about the language barrier posed by German. Widely renowned for its complex grammar and pronunciation, German seemed like an impossible feat for someone like me who wasn’t a star student and heavily favored right-brain activities. But I was determined to prove to the go-getters around me that I was up for the challenge, so I signed up for an intensive German course and moved to Germany with a private student visa.
Although it was difficult, I slowly progressed in my language studies due to the immersive opportunities in the culture, as well as the support from my German-speaking friends.
Making Friends as a Digital Nomad
This leads me to the second challenge to tackle: making friends. Making friends can be difficult in a foreign land where the culture, infrastructure, and language are all significant obstacles. But I was not one to give up easily. I attended social events, joined language exchange groups, and tried to attend almost every expat meeting group during my first year in Germany. It wasn’t long before I met a group of expats and we quickly bonded over our shared experiences and soon became close friends. In fact, some of them have become like family to me now.
Traveling & Working through Western Europe
Traveling Western Europe with my gear, suitcase, and ukulele in tow, I had the thrilling opportunity to take my Singer-Songwriter career to new heights as a nomad. On my travels, I began to set up shop in various locations across Europe, applying to every audition I could find. I even managed to land a radio interview in England! During my journey, I was able to play gigs all over Germany, including Munich and Hamburg, while also tackling various content development projects such as blog post writing and storytelling in Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, and more. As long as I had a strong internet connection and a medium-sized table, I could work and audition from virtually anywhere – with minimal luggage and a small carbon footprint.
Oh the Fun of Visas & Paperwork
I had to jump through a lot of hoops in order to move to Germany; visa requirements can be notoriously stringent in certain countries. I needed to make sure that I had enough money and insurance to sustain myself for more than a year – and, of course, the endless paperwork and bureaucratic formalities that I had to face were a real challenge. I’m thankful for the support of helpful apps like Google Translate and Deepl that enabled me to translate all the documents, making my transitions more manageable. Of course, my newfound German friends-turned-family helped immensely.
Understanding Cultural Differences
Cultural differences made my journey both exciting and challenging. A good example is that Europe feels like it’s almost a slower pace of life than in the U.S. – while Americans tend to be in a rush, hurrying you along with your food and pushing you to clear your table for the next guests over in Europe, they don’t seem to mind if you stick around and savor the moment. This was quite an eye-opener for me, as it taught me to enjoy the little things in life and to stay in the present. And although I still face some cultural differences, I’ve come to appreciate the European mindset.
Navigating Nostalgia on a Nomadic Journey
One of the biggest hurdles I encountered when I first moved away from home was a deep-seated feeling of homesickness. During holidays like my birthday, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, it would swell up inside me, and I would even sometimes find myself overwhelmed by a wave of nostalgia in the most unexpected of places, like the grocery store. Whether I was trying to figure out which type of flour to buy for baking or the correct size shoe for my foot, the longing for home would hit me hard. In those moments, I would pause and take a moment to reflect on how far I had come and how I had arrived. The more I stay here, however, the less often this sensation strikes me, if at all – but I still remember the intensity it used to bring. It’s something I dare say I won’t forget for the rest of my life.
Take The Leap! My Advice:
I highly recommend the digital nomad trail for anyone looking for adventure, tired of their current lifestyle, or wanting to pursue a dream job! Taking the leap could be just what’s needed to kickstart a change in routine and help get you out of an ongoing rut. Shake up your “stuck life” and start waking up excited for each day.
Becoming a digital nomad in Europe, even with all of its many challenges and obstacles, has opened up so many opportunities for me to explore different cultures and meet new people. I’ve had the chance to try many kinds of food and learn about the unique customs and traditions of each country I visit. Whether it’s enjoying a warm croissant in Paris or sipping on a cappuccino at an Italian café, there’s always something new to experience.
Adventure & Discipline
Of course, being a digital nomad also means that I have to be disciplined with my work schedule in order to balance my professional and personal life. While it’s tempting to spend all day exploring the city, I must remind myself that I still have deadlines and responsibilities to meet. It can bring about a mirror of self-doubt that must be overcome in order to keep pressing on. But overall, I wouldn’t trade this lifestyle for anything else. It’s given me the freedom to pursue my passions and live life on my own terms.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on it now, I can see that this decision to relocate wasn’t only about starting a new life somewhere else or taking the first step towards a promising chance but also about getting to know more of myself and blossoming as a person. It was a daring move that has surpassed all expectations. Germany is my new home, and while I’m grateful for my American roots, I’m thankful to have taken such a daring gamble.
About the Author, Kim Noble
Kim Noble is the driving force behind Audible Lemonade: a comprehensive, in-house production agency based out of Germany. She passionately loves all types of content creation, whether it’s in the form of a personalized song, spoken voiceover, or using a mighty digital pen for the latest storytelling blog. Her most recent project is writing short stories for anyone trying to learn English as a second language.
