Eliz: Between chaos and calm

Eliz just moved in with her partner in Amsterdam and is having some trouble adjusting to a new way of living. Wasn’t she the one who wanted independence and chose to study in a different city? So was she right to move in with him after knowing him for only four months and a few days? Her best friend called her “crazy” (in the most loving way), and her parents didn’t even know… but there was something in her gut telling her to go for it. And so she did.

Life is busy these days—exams approaching, volleyball team practices and competitions, shopping and cooking on a tight budget, plus a part-time waitressing job at the restaurant down the street. And sometimes, it just feels like too much.

She needs a deep wind-down in the evenings, while Peter is all about chatting and sipping wine during a movie. She doesn’t like talking while watching, but hasn’t yet found the words to tell him.

Today at 5pm, she rolled out her mat alone in their room, following a YouTube yoga video. Deep breaths—and already she felt more peaceful. After a warm shower she walked into the kitchen, where Peter was cooking. His favorite jazz filled the room; it was slowly growing on her. She hugged him from behind, resting her cheek between his shoulders. Warm, peaceful, all the good things.

On the counter, a glass of wine waited. She took a sniff—was that strawberries? Peter had been practicing wine tasting with her for a while, but for the first time, she actually noticed. She smiled, tapped his shoulder until he met her eyes, and said: “Well… can we please not talk tonight while watching the new episode?”

Peter burst out laughing. “Aha, I knew it was annoying you… but sure, let’s try. I can’t promise though!”

Her smile widened. And that night, just before falling asleep, her last thought was: “in the end, it’s all about balance… we’ll find ours.”

And oh, they did.

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