I Could Live Here!
On hyperadaptability and not enough lifetime to live everywhere I’d like. And six places I fantasize about calling home.
Hi, I’m Sabine, founder of Hedwig Travel. I craft meaningful journeys that move with your pace and connect you deeply to the world around you. My approach blends thoughtful curation with authentic cultural immersion. You can explore more about what I do here.
There’s a running joke in my family: every time we arrive somewhere new, they say, “I bet you want to live here too, don’t you?”
And, as a matter of fact, I do. I want to live everywhere. Cities, small beach towns, mountains, farm stays and even on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Yes, I want it all. Everything. All the experiences.
I’ve thought a lot about this trait of mine. What is it, really? Am I constantly unhappy with my life, that I’d want to move somewhere new and start again? Do I always want more? Do I just love a challenge?
But it always comes back to something much simpler, and sweeter: I love dreaming. My imagination is untamed, limitless, and infinite.
I like to play with the idea and have fun with it. Whenever I arrive somewhere I have never been and think, “I could live here,” I start asking myself questions. What would my routine look like here? How would I feel if I lived here? Would I make friends easily? Would I feel loved? What would my house look like? Could I afford it?
So I imagine. I think about a version of my life that is not real, but could be.
It is important to say that there are no rigid plans attached to any of this. It exists purely as imagination and curiosity. With my dear friend Sinomi, we play a game where we imagine alternate realities. At the same time, we are living somewhere else and trying out completely different ways of being. We have so much fun feeding each other these illusions. “I live in Paris,” one of us says, “and I have this cute attic as big as a matchbox, and I dance swing every night!”
Many years ago, my therapist asked me: have you ever heard of the struggles of hyperadability? Ouch, I thought. She pointed out the following:
You can imagine yourself fitting into many different lives, places, or routines. And when many lives feel possible, choosing one can feel limiting. You may hesitate to fully settle because another version of life is always imaginable.
You adapt so well to different environments that it can sometimes be hard to answer who you are outside of context. You may feel slightly different depending on where you are and who you are with.
Because you connect easily, you can form attachments quickly. Leaving places and people can quietly accumulate grief.
Adapting, even when it comes naturally, still requires energy. Over time, the effort of recalibrating can be tiring.
Having moved around and lived in many different places throughout my life, I think I became hyperadaptable because I had to. Survival, the law of the jungle. You adapt or you don’t really make it.
But now that I am aware of it, it feels different. I think age plays a big part here. I have come to the realization that starting somewhere new and not knowing anyone feels like a bigger challenge these days. The idea of doing so in my twenties felt exhilarating. Now, not so much.
As it turns out, I have come to the conclusion that it is not where, but with whom.
An undeniable truth is that migrating by choice, for pleasure, or to change things up is an absolute privilege. One I do not take for granted, especially given the current global situation around immigration.
A while ago, I was chatting with a Tibetan refugee in northern India. When I told him that I had been moving around and relocating simply because I wanted to, he looked me in the eyes and asked, “Why would you want to leave home?” I still cannot answer that question.
Six places I fantasize about calling home (just for fun)
Copenhagen
An almost perfect city, minus the grim winter weather. Although I am not a city person, this one ticks all my boxes. I can already see myself riding my bike in the morning on my way to get a cinnamon roll.
Amsterdam
My favorite city in Europe. I have been lucky enough to visit many times, and each time I sigh at how beautiful, charming, and cool it is. What I love most is that you can walk around while looking into people’s homes from the street. I often catch myself thinking that could be me.
Brasil
Anywhere in Brasil would work for me. I absolutely love this country and its people. Their positive attitude toward life is contagious. Some of my best trips have been across this massive country. I have visited seven times and there is still so much more to explore.
Oregon, US
I spent a total of five months there across two different stays, and I fell in love with the pace, the nature, and the cuteness. Autumn in Oregon is magical, and probably the best small concert of my life happened there. California Honeydrops, if you are wondering. A night I will remember forever.
Kyoto, Japan
This one is funny, because I have never been. But as a lover of Japanese culture, this city has held my attention for many years. I have read and researched so much that I feel I could fly tomorrow and know my way around. I imagine myself going to tea ceremonies and trying every mochi in town.
Oaxaca, Mexico
A town that has had my heart ever since I visited in 2018. I almost stayed more permanently, but I was on the road and Guatemala was waiting for me. I love everything about it, from the food to its old culture, the warmth of Mexican people, and its proximity to the ocean and misty mountain towns. Ah, Oaxaca. One day.
Loved this! Let's go to Kyoto together :)