So, I was asked a lot on Instagram - I'm over at @ellenextdoor fyi if you fancy coming on my travels with me/fancy seeing my everyday outfits/fancy listening to me tell the most ridiculous stories - if I'm going to do a guide to Copenhagen and, in short, the answer is no [insert sad face emoji here]. The thing is, I loved Copenhagen, so so so much. But for me, that trip wasn't about being a tourist and doing Copenhagen right. I always knew that I'd never do a guide because the purpose of the trip was to chill out with one of my favourite people - Ally - discover a new city, eat all of the fatty carby food but mainly just chill. And that's what we did. So yes we did some touristy things, but we didn't do a lot of touristy things, which is why today's post isn't a guide, but it is a post about what I learnt on my trip... and for those that have followed my journey *vom* over the last couple of months, I think you might enjoy it even more.
At least I hope you do otherwise I look like twat of the year [insert upside smile emoji here].
WHAT I LEARNT...
I really do love everything chilled and hygge even more than my instagram portrays. I am the self confessed queen of candles and cosy (mainly because I'm boring af and don't go out) and omg Copenhagen was the perfect place for me. Everything was the definition of hygge. Every restaurant is Pinterest-worthy candlelit and cosy, everybody is chilled and friendly and everything just generally feels so much more laid back and relaxed and coming from the queen of stress... it couldn't have been more perfect for me.
Time with Ally is the best kinda time. Ally is just one of those people that you love within 5 seconds of meeting her. She's kind, funny, in fact, scrap that... f**king hilarious, thoughtful, generous, she gives shit hot advice and is generally just the kinda person that everyone needs in their life. Going away with someone for the first time can sometimes be a little difficult/push boundaries, but I could spend every day with that girl and never get tired/stressed out/angry etc. A complete and utter babe!
Danish men are the best looking men. That is all.
I work really hard. And a lot. Copenhagen was one of the most amazing trips but I also woke up at 5:30/6am everyday to work and get as much done as possible before we started our day. And even then I was constantly replying to emails/creating content all day long. It's funny because I actually said to Ally "this has been the most Holiday-like trip I've had in forever" and she was sort of just like "you've been constantly on your phone and checking emails all day". Don't get me wrong, I am so beyond lucky to do the job that I do, I do not save lives - like Ally does, she's a paramedic fyi, how frickin cool is that? - and I am very, very fortunate, but sometimes I think it's important to recognise hard work too. Give yourself a little pat on the back... because let's face it, 5:30am is vile.
Danes are so happy because they have trampolines in the street. I mean, obvs I'm not referring to all Danes and obvs it's only a certain area of Copenhagen that has trampolines but we had the best time jumping around on the trampolines and I just feel like if London had these - ignoring the fact that some little gang of gremlins would probably demolish them - it would be such a happier place!
The harbour really is as stunning as it looks on Instagram, and baileys hot chocolates by the harbour really is the ultimate dream day for me.
Discovering I'm stronger than I think I am. The last couple of months have been nothing short of hideous - with lots of fun and laughter and amazing times thrown in in between, but generally, hideous - but some crappy things happened in Copenhagen (in my personal life) and apart from 10 seconds of being a complete psychopath, I think overall, without sounding like a self indulgent knob, I've handled it quite well. I am without a doubt, 10,000x stronger than I ever believed I was and I honestly feel like there is not much more that can phase me after experiencing the last couple of months. I also discovered that I can be vulnerable too and that that's totally OK. There is a fine line in becoming strong and losing the soft, gentle parts of you which make you a better person and I hope that I've managed to power on through whilst keeping that vulnerability and kindness also.
My god Copenhagen is full of good cheese and tapas and cocktails and my god did I demolish them all. A little recommendation, Spise Bar Nr 20 is a cute little place for a lot of cheese and a damn good mojito and a good looking waiter and La Valenciana was amazing for gluten free tapas (which was divine) and sangria too. Moller Kaffe and Kokken is THE BEST PLACE FOR BRUNCH EVER and also the most instagrammable food in existence. There, said it.
I've spoken about the whole "don't judge someone by their instagram" thing before but this trip definitely pushed me to feel the need to mention this again. So many people, so many people, commented and private messaged me the loveliest, kindest things... all to do with how happy I looked and how glad they were that I was doing better. And in all honesty, I wasn't doing better. Copenhagen was so much fun but I was in such a difficult place heartbreak/break up wise [insert yawn emoji here because I'm so bored of it], that yes, whilst Ally is the best person ever and I laughed until I cried 24/7... I just wasn't in a great place mentally. I was sad, so sad, and deeply hurt and I just wasn't the happy, glowy, sassy person that I think I came across as on Instagram. I think I'm doing better now. I have a lot of work and more trips coming up and I generally feel lighter, freer maybe. I'm not in any way over anything, but I am happier (than I was) now. But I'm also very, very aware that without turning into Moaning Myrtle, I do need to make my online life as parallel as possible to "real life". Please don't think I've woken up thinking I'm Zoella/a Kardashian, I am well aware of my place online, but I am also aware that I do have some responsibility to show that life isn't all fine and dandy and that everyone goes through horrendous times regardless of their job/opportunities/lifestyle etc. But it's finding that balance isn't it? Don't depress the life out of people but don't also pretend that you're a sassy girl boss that always has her shit together when actually you're struggling. It's a juggling act that I hope I can get the hang of this year.
And finally, the last thing I learnt from my trip to Copenhagen is that *cue drum roll for the cheesiest Pinterest quote that ever existed*... "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer". It is cheesy as hell but it's true as hell. I came away with so many memories that will last me a lifetime, a new favourite city that I'll definitely return to as soon as possible, an appreciation for a totally different pace of life and an entirely different outlook on life. OK, so maybe not an entirely different outlook, but a lot has changed already in 2017 and, for the first time in a very, very long time... I'm excited for what's to come.
I know this post basically mirrored my life i.e a completely chaotic mess because it had a few Copenhagen recommendations and lots of personal rambles... but this is sort of just the place I'm in right now. Actually, the exact place I'm in (at 9pm the night before posting this) is in bed, with a Grey's anatomy, hot chocolate and bowl of cereal and I feel so content. And also stressed because I'm off to Rome on thursday but mainly... mainly content. And that's always a good place to be in.
I really hope you enjoyed this post. But more than anything, I hope that if you're in a really horrible position that you have someone amazing to flee town with and create new memories with. Friendship is something I hold even closer to me now than ever before and I just feel endlessly lucky to have found the best people out there to be in my little army!
As always, thanks so much for reading!
xx
Labels: Travel
