Journey Without a Destination – Yet I Arrived

The year is drawing to a close – a good time to look back. Not just on this year, but on my journey, which has picked up incredible speed this year.

There were many events and moments that felt like signposts or crossroads. And there were phases that were more like a journey where you simply move forward step by step. And yet there is a crucial difference to this analogy: I had no destination. I simply set off without knowing where the next leg would lead me.

Looking back on these crossroads and steps today, the two visits to Basel and the trip to Europa-Park form the foundation, the actual start of this journey. After that, it continued step by step – first in my hometown of Neu-Isenburg, then with the girls' nights out with colleagues as the next signposts. The day of our first family reunion was certainly also a defining moment. Standing before my father as daughter for the first time was moving and pivotal. I don't know exactly when, but at some point this wandering—to stay with the analogy—transformed into a car journey. The distances suddenly felt shorter. The moments when I thought, "I never would have thought that" or "It's crazy how fast my world is spinning," became more frequent and intense.

Exhibitions, restaurant visits, parties, gel nails—all of that suddenly became possible. And in parallel, this quiet, almost imperceptible journey in my home office. No big "Bang, here I am," but rather a return from the fast car to a leisurely stroll. Step by step, I also continued to develop professionally.

Then another signpost: the day my boss approached me, gave me incredibly positive feedback, and assured me of his full support at the bank. Shortly afterward, the colleague who insisted on knowing how I preferred to be addressed. These moments finally changed my mode of transport to the ICE (Intercity Express)—the conversation with my colleague was almost exactly a year ago now.

The next milestones followed one after the other: my first day at the bank and the decision to officially change my legal name there. Small and large meetings. Looking back, the journey from the cautious, tentative Nicole in her neutral outfit to the confident woman in the professional world feels like sitting on an ICE train, watching the scenery whiz by. (Well, at least when the ICE is actually running – sorry, I had to. I do a lot of business trips by train these days 🤣)

I didn't have the stage of my journey I'm at today in mind when I first started this hike. But one thing I can say for sure: I'm incredibly happy and grateful for everything I've experienced – and for where I've arrived.

Yours,

Nicole