Lately I have not really had anything to fight for. Desiring something not only to look forward to but to actively work towards. An easy fix would be to finally succeed with that yearly book-reading challenge (52 books per year). Another would be to think of my PhD as something to conquer. The move to Italy is more organizational than fighting in nature, and beach 2015? while I would not mind those 10-year-dream abs I rather my life did not turn into one of these ridiculous “girl-magazines”.

So walking around for months in a daze of frustrating apathy I once again got a stoke of Wanderlust. The desire to be completely free, to roam the world free of any obligations other than that of wishes and where-ever the train is heading. What I need is to have a long, unorthodox travel tour to look forward to. Me, my backpack, comfortable shoes, and that liberatingly feeling of not having showered for days while packed in a filled-to-the-brim train going somewhere new. 

For this I need time and money. When do I have time? When my PhD finishes. When do I have money? When I have saved enough. As I, inspired by friends – and the undeniable logic of the idea, decided to allow myself to go travel for a dreamy-long time as graduation present, two battles began simultaneously: 

First – get that first order logic under control and write those bloody papers!

Second – save money! 

Despite having at least two-three years before I am expected to finish my PhD I still got completely fired up thinking about where to go, what to do – and all the organizational stuff needed to be attended to. I literally had to keep myself from ordering random good stuff for the road – or even worse – start packing.

In order to engage myself in something a bit more sensible than packing two years in advance, I decided on a mini-challenge to get my fighting spirit up again. In Germany food expenses for one person is calculated to be on average around 40 euros a week. My challenge: For two weeks not spend more than 10 euros per week – in theory living for “free” three weeks of each month. 

Knowing my amazing darling parents they will upon reading this ask me: “Do you need money, honey?” To which I in advance can answer: “No, thank you. I am doing this for the fun of it (and to eat all the stuff lying around the kitchen), not due to some impoverishment out of control.” 

Now I must admit that 10 euros might be a bit too little, especially when all the potatoes, union, rice and such lying around my kitchen has been eaten, therefore I initiate a two week trial-period. If I find that this makes life way too boring I most likely will continue on with my 13-euro-cheese lifestyle and I guess I have to succumb to the idea that my spring 2015 challenge simply have to be beach 2015…