When I look back at how this all started, it feels a bit unreal. I had been craving change for a long time, scrolling through opportunities and thinking, maybe one day. And then suddenly, that “one day” arrived and I got accepted into a project in Croatia. The excitement was immediate, mixed with the usual chaos of leaving things behind, packing and stepping into the unknown.
First weeks
The first weeks were a blur. Everything was new, everything had a shine to it. At first even the simplest things, like walking through a quiet street or figuring out the train to Zagreb, felt like an adventure. It was thrilling to be out of my usual routine, to have my days filled with different faces, places, and tasks.
Of course, reality eventually settles in. Not in a crushing way, but in little doses. I had to get used to the rhythm of a much smaller place than I was used to, with its slower pace and limited options for going out. At first, it felt a bit confining. But that quietness also gave me space, to think, to write, to reflect on where I was and why I was there. It stopped being about “keeping busy” and started being about learning to be okay with slower days too.
Learning about myself
The volunteering work became the anchor. I got involved in creative projects that pulled me back into areas I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed—writing, making content, thinking up ideas that connected with the community. Some days were more routine, some pushed me out of my comfort zone. Either way, I always ended up learning something, not only about the tasks but about myself—how I work with others, how I react when things don’t go smoothly, and how good it feels when you surprise yourself by handling something you weren’t sure you could.
People, people, people
What stands out most, though, are the people. The other volunteers, the locals, the random conversations on solo trips to other countries. There’s something special about sharing both the highs, like traveling on your own or discovering hidden places, and the lows, when homesickness sneaks in or when a day just doesn’t go as planned. It’s a reminder that you’re never really doing this alone.
I don’t know exactly what comes next, and for once I’m okay with that. This experience has taught me that uncertainty doesn’t have to be scary, it can actually be exciting. If I had stayed where I was before, I’d still be waiting for the “right time” to make a change. Instead, I jumped, and now I know I’ll never be the same as when I left.
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