What Moving to Berlin Taught Me & Why I Love It!

When I first decided to leave home and move to Berlin, I had no idea how profoundly it would change me. I thought it would be an adventure—new experiences, new people, and a fresh start in a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. And while Berlin has given me all of that, it’s also taught me something far deeper, how to embrace difference. In a place where people of all backgrounds, identities, and lifestyles converge, I’ve realized that diversity isn’t just accepted here—it’s celebrated.

My time in Berlin has been a journey of confronting my biases and assumptions and learning to open my mind and heart to the many ways people live and express themselves. This city has shown me that just because I don’t fully understand something doesn’t mean it isn’t real or valid. In Berlin, I learned to let go of the need to comprehend every aspect of someone else’s life, and instead focus on embracing the diversity that makes life so vibrant.

A City of Stories, Everyone Has Their Journey

Berlin is a city where everyone seems to have a story. Walking down the street, you’ll encounter people from all walks of life—artists, tech workers, immigrants, students, families, and activists. Some people have come to Berlin for a fresh start, some have fled hardship, and others are here to pursue their passions. It’s a city that thrives on difference, and living here has shown me that no two stories are the same.

One of the most striking things about Berlin is its openness. People live authentically, whether that means embracing their queer identity, practicing an alternative lifestyle, or following an unconventional career path. And they do so without fear of judgment. It’s a place where differences are not only accepted but often celebrated. In Berlin, I’ve seen firsthand that there is no "right" way to live your life—there are only different ways, each as valid as the next.

Before moving to Berlin, I sometimes found it hard to understand people whose life choices didn’t align with my own. I thought that if I didn’t "get" something—whether it was someone’s mental health struggles, gender identity, or lifestyle—it wasn’t quite as real or important. But Berlin has taught me otherwise. Living here, I’ve had to confront my own assumptions and realize that everyone’s journey is their own, and I don’t have to understand it to respect it.

Embracing Difference, Not Just Tolerating It

In my home country, I often felt that difference was merely tolerated. People might be polite to one another, but there was always a sense that if you didn’t fit the mold—if you were gay, non-binary, a person of color, or struggling with mental health—then you were somehow "other." In Berlin, the feeling is different. Here, the difference is woven into the very fabric of the city. It’s not something to be tolerated, but something to be embraced, celebrated, and even sought out.

One of the most powerful examples of this is Berlin’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community. As a gay man, I’ve always been aware of the prejudice and discrimination that comes with my identity. But in Berlin, I found a community where being different isn’t something to hide—it’s something to take pride in. The city’s famous Pride parades, queer art exhibitions, and activist groups show that Berliners don’t just accept difference—they thrive on it. It’s part of what makes the city so alive.

Living in Berlin has also opened my eyes to other forms of diversity. The city is home to a large immigrant population, with people from Turkey, Syria, Poland, and many other countries bringing their cultures, languages, and traditions to the city. Berliners are used to hearing different languages spoken in the same café or seeing diverse cultural expressions at local markets and festivals. This cultural richness has expanded my worldview, showing me that there are countless ways to live a meaningful life.

Letting Go of Judgment, Learning From Others’ Experiences

One of the hardest things to let go of when I moved to Berlin was my tendency to judge people whose struggles I couldn’t understand. Before, I would see someone who was overweight and think they just needed to try harder, or hear about someone’s mental health issues and think they should just "cheer up." (Because I could do it, why can't they.) But Berlin, with its openness and diversity, has helped me realize that these judgments were not only unfair but also deeply uninformed.

For example, the mental health conversation in Berlin is refreshingly open. People talk about their struggles with depression, anxiety, and burnout without the same stigma that often exists elsewhere. In Germany, 18% of the population is affected by mental health issues at any given time, and the impact is particularly visible in fast-paced urban environments like Berlin. Workplaces here are more aware of the importance of mental health, and many employers offer flexible work schedules or mental health days to accommodate employees’ needs.

In Berlin, I’ve learned to stop assuming that I know what’s going on in someone else’s life. I’ve come to understand that mental health, like weight or identity, is something deeply personal. Just because I might not have experienced depression myself it doesn’t mean those struggles aren’t real or valid for others.

Gender Identity and Expression, Expanding My Understanding

One of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of living in Berlin has been expanding my understanding of gender identity and expression. Even as a gay man, I sometimes struggled to fully grasp the experiences of trans and non-binary individuals. But in Berlin, where people are free to express themselves in countless ways, I’ve been exposed to a broader spectrum of gender identities than I ever encountered before.

The city has a vibrant trans and non-binary community, and Berlin’s culture encourages people to embrace their true selves, whatever that may look like. It’s a city where you can see people dressed in ways that defy traditional gender norms, where non-binary pronouns are commonly used, and where people can live authentically without fear of being ostracized.

Being immersed in this environment has taught me a valuable lesson, I don’t need to fully understand someone’s gender identity to respect it. I may not always "get" what it feels like to be non-binary, but that’s okay. What matters is that I respect their experience and support their right to live authentically.

The Broader Lesson, It’s Not About Me

What I’ve ultimately learned from my time in Berlin is that it’s not about me. Just because I don’t fully understand someone else’s experience doesn’t mean it’s any less valid. Berlin has taught me to let go of the need to fit people into boxes that make sense to me and instead embrace the idea that everyone’s journey is unique.

Whether it’s someone struggling with their weight, battling mental health issues, or identifying as a different gender, it’s not my place to judge or question their experience. In Berlin, I’ve learned that the best thing I can do is listen, learn, and offer my support. It’s about meeting people where they are and celebrating their right to live their truth.

A City of Empathy and Acceptance

Berlin has shown me that life isn’t about fitting in—it’s about standing out. It’s about being yourself, even if that self doesn’t fit neatly into the expectations of others. The city has taught me that there’s beauty in diversity and strength in embracing differences. And it’s also taught me that empathy, not judgment, is the key to building a more inclusive, compassionate world.

In a city where difference is not only accepted but embraced, I’ve found a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically. And I’ve realized that the world is a better place when we let people be themselves—without trying to make them conform to our limited understanding of what’s "normal." Moving to Berlin didn’t just change where I live; it changed how I see the world.