“When apartment hunting in the past, I had a long list of hopes,” says Clara Goebel, 27, who lives in Zurich, Switzerland. “But after a break up, you’re under a bit of time pressure and can’t be too choosy.” However, after her breakup, Clara received some great news. “Coincidentally, a lady up the street was looking for a larger apartment, and I needed something smaller,” she says. “We ended up swapping apartments with our landlords’ permission.” Below, she discusses living alone, summer swims, and the importance of visiting art museum gift shops.
On adjusting to solo living:
After living with her partner for most of their eight-year relationship, Clara found it challenging to transition to living alone. Thoughts ranging from ‘Why do I have so much space in this bed?’ to ‘Did he really take the freaking stapler without asking me?’ filled her mind at first. While there was no single piece of advice that made the breakup easier, Clara found comfort in the support of her mother and friends.
On reading to relax:
As a data scientist, Clara enjoys taking a break from staring at code by reading regular books. She has a collection of novels, art books, and her grandma’s hand-annotated Bavarian cookbooks. Visiting Calligramme, a bookstore in Zurich run by a 90-year-old lady with a cat, is one of her favorite pastimes.
On museum advice:
Clara recommends picking up postcards from the gift shop when visiting art exhibitions. She keeps them in a box, creating a personal museum of pieces that resonated with her. Exhibition posters also make great decor with their appealing graphic design.
Living alone has deepened Clara’s friendships and brought new experiences, such as finding comfort in ambient noise and spontaneous trips to places like Paris. She values the connections she has made in her apartment building and enjoys establishing new routines that bring her joy and comfort. Thank you for sharing your space, Clara. It’s truly a serene oasis.
