A year has come to an end that was completely different for me in many ways to the last 20 years. It was the first year in which I didn’t earn any money from my work. It was the first year in my life that I wasn’t in Germany.

I answered Matze Hielscher’s questions about the year in review for myself.

1. What made this year a good year?

I mainly did what I enjoyed doing. In other words, I didn’t follow anyone’s lead and more or less lived for the day without making any big plans. I spent a lot of time in nature and exercised. Instead of accumulating money, I spent it on living.

2. Which weekend do you think of first when you think of 2023?

As I didn’t have a normal routine with a working week, there was no difference between the weekends and the rest of the week for me this year. It was a fluid mash from one day to the next. Often I didn’t even know what day of the week it was, let alone what date. That’s why I’d like to pick out one event that made a big impression on me and that I therefore think back on fondly. My hike around Alpamayo in Huaraz, Peru, was my first big hike after Te Araroa in New Zealand. It was the first time I had hiked at an altitude of over 4000 meters. It was the most impressive landscape I have ever seen. Every day there was a new glacier glistening in the sun, a new pass to cross that demanded everything of me. If you want to see beauty, you have to suffer.

3. What have you achieved that you wouldn’t have thought possible at the beginning of the year?

A few years ago, I set myself the goal of making and drinking coffee at an altitude of over 5,000 meters. I achieved that in Peru in 2023. Until then, I didn’t realize that you could climb such high mountains without special equipment and with just a few days of acclimatization. So I climbed to 6000 meters in Bolivia without any special preparation or equipment. Afterwards, I was completely exhausted for the rest of the day, but it was doable without any major difficulties. Now I want to go even higher. I’ve learned that my physical limits are far beyond what I previously thought possible.

4. Who or what was your biggest temptation?

Climbing a glacier pass alone. I had to stop because it became too dangerous. I didn’t have the experience or the equipment. I would have done it safely with crampons. Now I have to postpone it until another time. I’ve realized that I’ve never really pushed myself to my limits in my life so far. Everything was always within my comfort zone.

5. How do the crises in the world affect your personal life?

Hardly at all. This year in particular, I’ve taken less interest in world events than ever before. I do notice in passing that wars are raging in the world and human rights are being trampled on, but it only reaches me when I’m told about it by others. I don’t have the feeling that I would have much influence on it if I were more involved. That’s why I don’t worry so much about it. I still feel sorry for the people who are directly affected by it.

6. What have you discussed the most?

About the relationship between work and free time or a self-determined life. We forget far too often how much our lives are determined by our work and not the other way around. Especially with the distance I’ve allowed myself on this trip, I’m realizing more and more how important it is to do what I enjoy and not organize everything around work. If I look at the photos I’ve taken over the last five years, I’d say that of the hundreds or even thousands I’ve taken, not even three were taken at work. That gives me pause for thought, as photos usually capture the joyful moments in one’s life.

7. Who or what disappointed you?

Before my trip, a bunch of friends had announced that they wanted to visit me. I was afraid that there would be a planning chaos to accommodate everyone. The opposite happened. So far, no one has visited me for various reasons.

8. What have you been thinking about differently since this year?

About acceptance and waiting for circumstances to change the way I want them to. In particular, I will choose my environment more carefully in future and not wait for it to change the way I want my life to be. For me, acceptance means letting everyone live their own life. I take the freedom to go my own way and don’t wait for a path to open up for me. I thought about starting somewhere new for a long time, but I came to the conclusion that it’s me who has to break with old patterns, no matter where I live.

9. What has changed in your relationships?

I have realized how important good relationships with family and friends are for me. Speaking up directly when someone crosses personal boundaries has led to more closeness.

10. What if 2023 is the most successful year of your life?

Then I will have done everything right. But as I want to develop further, it won’t stop there.

11. What would you like to learn to let go of in 2024?

To meet people with prejudices and to understand them more deeply than first impressions suggest.

I look forward to your answers. Feel free to comment below.