Culturas em trânsito: Summer in Berlin and the Anxiety of a Busy Schedule
- Time Janainas
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Por Natali Reis
I know that people are going to Mykonos, Portugal, and Spain; that every weekend I’ll be at an event knowing there was a better one somewhere else; and that whichever park I choose will never compare to the one my coworker went to. I know that influencers will come to enjoy the Euro Summer while I'll be working, saving my vacation days for when I go to Brazil. I know that on the exact day I set aside to do laundry and clean the house, all my friends will text me with invitations for different hangouts. And at the end of the month, I’ll ask myself where on earth all my money went.
Shall we talk about FOMO? I can't start writing about summer, plans, and activities for this time of year without addressing this topic first. So let’s dive into it, and also chat about the cool things happening in June.
FOMO: A New Way of Saying the Grass Looks Greener on the Other Side. FOMO (Fear of missing out) has a new name, but it’s an old acquaintance of ours. My mother used to call it siricutico, my grandmother called it thinking the neighbor's grass is greener, and my great-grandmother probably had a name for this feeling too.
The thing is, social media and this habit of constantly watching other people's lives reinforce the idea that everyone else’s life is always happier and more exciting than ours. Because of this, it feels like nothing you do is ever enough, and that your life is always dull, predictable, and uninteresting—even when we are so far from home, living in another language, we still crave more adrenaline.
For me, this anxiety appears along with the first rays of sunshine. I spent so many months dreaming of temperatures above 15°C, of my dresses that were packed away in a suitcase in the Keller, and of the blue sky, that now I wake up, check the weather forecast, and find it absurd that I have to work when I clearly should be at a lake. Or in a park. Or running at Tempelhof. Or doing literally anything cooler than sitting in front of a computer working.
We’ve already talked here about the importance of rest, and I don’t want to romanticize work. But there are things in life that require our dedication and our time. Our offline life happening. And rest isn't a schedule packed with social activities and extensive plans either.
“Ich bleibe einfach zu Hause” (I'm just staying home)
It seems crazy to reply with this sentence when someone asks, "So, what are your plans?" But the truth is, sometimes, even if it's 30°C outside and it's the weekend, I really just want to stay home. Or I might even go out, but just to the park in my neighborhood. Preferably alone. No body, emotional state, charisma, or bank account can survive the frantic pace of Berlin in the summer.
And look, I love summer. I am very happy living here at this time of year. I just don't want to be forced to be happy all the time. Right after I moved, someone told me: “Summer is the perfect time to fall in love with Berlin.” And she was completely right. But I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.
It feels like there aren't enough days, there’s a lack of time, a lack of space to fit all the activities. And the worst part for me is that this mindset makes us choose events based on what looks "cooler" or what seems like a better summer plan. And I don’t want my life to be decided based on the photo that will end up on Instagram.
Look, I’m a Cancer sign. Maybe this is intensified by my dramatic side. But when I first arrived in Berlin, I was startled by the feeling that some plans, and even some people, shouldn't be my priority—after all, it's summer. The hangouts have to be historic, the trips incredible, the moments unforgettable. I know that hearing this might make you think these are the worries of someone with too much free time, but have you ever stopped to think about how many events you've gone to simply because you thought: "Wow, I waited so long for the warm weather, how on earth am I going to stay home?"
And it’s important to point out: I’m not saying this isn’t a valid or even necessary motivation sometimes. I’m just proposing that we go beyond that, you know? That we can decide to leave the house and do certain things just because it’s not winter, but that this should be a conscious choice when it makes sense, and not just to meet a demand that disrespects our limits.
To be or Not To Be in the Summer Mood: A Book and a Lake
Since we are being honest in this text, I need to tell you: I hate Berlin's lakes. I know, I'm sorry!
The fact is, I don’t like swimming in still water—and I feel like that’s all I ever find here. It might just be a lack of habit, since I love lakes and waterfalls in Brazil, having grown up in Limeira.
But over the last three years, I’ve been going to the lake basically to show off my bikini, have a picnic, and read my book. So, if you want a recommendation from someone who doesn’t swim: my favorite lake inside the city is Plötzensee (which charges a €10 entrance fee and is located in Wedding), and outside the city, it’s Krumme Lanke.
To find other lake recommendations, including for the team that actually likes swimming in them, visit: berlin.de/en/tourism/lakes/
My suggestion is to go to the lake with your favorite snack and drink (remember to read the rules about bringing in food and drinks) and in the company of Ernesto Xavier’s new book: Na trilha dos orixás: Sabedoria ancestral e caminhos de axé no mundo contemporâneo.
The book was just released in Brazil, but it’s already available at A Livraria. You can find it on their website (mondolibro.de) or stop by the shop to check it out. I haven't read it yet, but I know and admire Ernesto’s work, which is why I’m recommending it even before starting my reading.
If You're Going Out: Good Music and Happy People!
If you are going to leave the house, I think you deserve a day of good music and happy people around you. Therefore, my highest recommendation is the Fête de la Musique.
On June 21st, Sunday, the summer solstice announces the beginning of the season, and the streets of Berlin are taken over by music and celebration. You can choose to go see a specific band or musical style you like, or simply pick a neighborhood and wander through the streets. The best way to find the attraction points is through the map available on the official event website: fetedelamusique.de.
But let’s agree on something? If on that day you have cramps, a headache, other things to do, or simply zero motivation, we have two other musical events that deserve your attention.
If you want to guarantee your share of live music for this month, on June 7th (the first weekend), you can go to the Roda de Feijoada - Pool Party at Maaya. The party is perfect for listening to Brazilian music, eating delicious food, and the event also has a kids' space.
Still talking about Bossa FM events, on June 27th, a week after Fête de la Musique, they are hosting their traditional Festa Junina. Tickets can be purchased on the website, and they promise typical food, music, games, plus the chance to dance quadrilha. I’m going, and I hope to see you there!
For more information and tickets, check the official website: bossafm.com
Ai que delícia o verão: a gente mostra o ombrinho, a gente assiste televisão (Marina Sena songs)
Yes, a bad rhyme to tell you that these two things are part of my next tip: keeping your body moving and watching a comfort novela (soap opera).
First, I am loving the new 9 PM Brazilian soap opera. We have to wait for the next chapters, but this first week already delivered absolute cinema, with movie-worthy scenes and complex characters played by brilliant actors. I highly recommend watching Quem ama cuida on the GloboPlay app.
Next, a tip to help you guarantee an amazing future with a strong and active body: Latin Fusion dance classes. It feels like summer will end in a beer garden, and Mallo’s classes might be just what you need to get moving, enjoy the sun, and meet other Brazilian and Latin people, or simply lovers of our music. I’ll leave the website here so you can check out the options; there are three types of classes on different days and times: latinfusionofficial.com
And thinking about that, I think it's important to remind you: be careful with alcohol consumption at this time of year. I really like talking about this and rethinking alcohol consumption more and more, especially in summer when it feels like nothing happens without a drink. I’ll start by saying that Germany changed my perception of non-alcoholic beer, and several options here are actually tastier than the alcoholic ones. Another tip is to read more about this on Instagram at @temgentequenaobebe.
Summer Has Arrived, and I Just Want to Enjoy It from My Shadow
I really hope these tips fill the beginning of your summer with more of Brazil, which, as Liniker beautifully said, is what brings the real warmth to us. However, I hope you build your own shadow, whether alone or accompanied by people who don't force your charisma.
Take the opportunity to feel the heat on your skin, enjoy the longer days, the green everywhere, and the possibility of walking and cycling around. But remember: just as winter returns, summer returns too—and life goes on. Remember to pause, breathe, and give yourself a break too.
And if you want one more tip: if you want to do something to truly not waste summer time, put down that cell phone, reduce your screen time, and stop comparing your real life with people's online lives. That helps more than it seems.
Until next time.
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