2 Years in Dubai | Now what’s next?

Today it’s been exactly two years since I stepped on a plane with a 30 kg. suitcase and flew to Dubai for the very first time.
I watched “Aladdin” on the flight and had absolutely no idea of what I was to expect… I just knew I’d made the right choice and that it wouldn’t be easy… But so worth it.

I knew from a young age that I wanted to move away from Denmark at some point. I love my home country and maybe I’ll move back some day, but I never saw myself live and grow old in Denmark.

I promised myself I would finish my education in physiotherapy, but then I was free to do whatever I wanted. And luck would have it that I managed to move to Dubai the day after graduating!

I have so many stories and memories from those 2 years in Dubai. It has been very difficult at times, but the challenges have made me the person I am today and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve learned so much by diving head first into this experience and I’ve been blessed with amazing people helping me to achieve what I’ve achieved today.

I’m so proud of being a successfull freelance personal trainer here in Dubai, and I love helping people to live their best life!
Some say personal training isn’t a real career, and honestly I never saw myself doing this full time for many years… But helping people heal and grow physically and mentally is just such a satisfying feeling, right no I’m not sure if I’ll ever do anything else.

If you’re considering taking a big leap of faith, like I did, and move somewhere new and exciting and terrifying… And you can feel that excitement in your soul. Just do it!

My first year in Dubai was a bit of a struggle.

Moving here was so expensive. Literally, you have to pay (a lot of money) for literally every single little thing you can imagine when moving to Dubai. Nothing is free. I didn’t make enough money to pay my bills unless I worked ridiculous hours and my weekly day off was spend sleeping in bed.
We had a death in my close family back home and with everything else going on, I was also just trying to find myself. Being so stressed and all alone in a foreign country was hard. I was working non-stop, trying my best to build friendships, get enough sleep and you know, stay hydrated. It’s 45 degrees here.

My stress levels were through the roof. You can’t even imagine how many things can go wrong and how many unexpected things will happen when you move to another county and try to get settled… The details of that will be shared in another post one day, but let’s just say A LOT of things can happen. And compared to the things that have happened to some of my friends, I’ve been really lucky!

Maybe I made the whole first year it especially difficult for myself by moving the day after finishing college, meaning I had about zero savings and a massive student loan. Honestly, I don’t recommend doing that.

But I wouldn’t take back that first year for anything. It taught me SO MUCH and I’m so happy that I stuck it out.

The year finished with me traveling for one month, spending two weeks in Denmark and then two weeks in Miramar (Florida) doing my 200 Yoga Teacher Training Course.

Coming back from that trip I began my second year in Dubai.
God, thinking back now I feel like I’ve lived a full life time in this city alone. So much has happened!

Where my first year was filled with stress, worry and disappointments, something clicked from the beginning of my second year. I made great friends, worked less and had so much fun. Live is still bringing me ups and downs, but I feel more in control and my attitude has changed. I’m so grateful for this journey and I believe every obstacle thats put in my way is there to teach me a lesson.

This year I started practicing yoga, meditation and positive thinking. I lost almost 10 kg. I bought a car and renovated my apartment. I laughed to hard and cried myself to sleep but it’s all a part of my story and looking back I appreciate every second, because it brought me to where I am today.

I can’t believe I’m now entering my 3rd year in the desert!

Now what?

I’m planning on staying here for a while. I love my life here and couldn’t be happier doing what I do. So Dubai, I hope you’re in it for the long run!