If you’ve been around the blog for awhile, you know I love to journal. It’s a habit I’ve formed and maintained for years now and helps me process my thoughts. I thought I’d let you all in on one of my journals from our Berlin trip, giving you a more personalized perspective on my time in Germany. We performed, we interacted with various artists that were also staying or taking class at LAKE studios, and we bonded as a company. Here’s my inside scoop on our Berlin, Germany tour in August 2026:
My daily life is often built around routine. I tend to be a creature of habit and love the orderliness of a to-do list and the satisfaction I get when I check things off of it. As a dancer, I tend to be overly regimented – same meals before and during rehearsals, same wellness routine before rehearsal, and same morning rituals to brighten my mood and start my day.
It may make me sound strict in my structure, but I will say I do highly appreciate and take advantage of a switch-up. One of my favorite things about any tour – especially international – is that it amplifies my rituals and routines and allows me to experience everything in a new perspective.
While in Germany August 25-30, 2026, I implemented one of my favorite routines of a morning walk and coffee each day while we were in Friedrichshagen. Our rehearsals and festivities generally occurred in the afternoon, so I took full advantage and would go for two hour walks each day. I originally thought these hours would be nice alone time and beautiful scenery. It was – though it turned out to be much more. Walking time in Berlin, Germany turned out to be a perspective-shift and one that I needed. While walking through beautifully architectured houses in bright colors, cafes with locals meeting for coffee, and citizens biking the streets, I couldn’t help but smile.
You see – I walk to achieve a step count and start my day off with movement. These locals walked and biked to experience leisure time with friends or family. The people around me walked slower than me because they didn’t have anywhere to get to, but everything to appreciate. I had time to physically see and take in each building, notice its color and structure, and appreciate its beauty. I wasn’t in a rush.
I JUST started a book called “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” and this felt like a real-life example of it. Each morning I had two hours to reflect on myself, my relationships, my experience the night before, think deeply about dance, and reconnect with the joy I have in this career. No hurry.
Sometimes all it takes is a shift of scenery to shift your perspective.
I will forever cherish how traveling, experiencing, and interacting with new cultures teaches me more about myself and what I need.
I know it’s nothing major – but a simple walk every morning turned into one of my favorite parts of the trip.
