I have opened a German bank account. Got a monthly train pass. Registered with the state of Frankfurt. Started working for a German company. Got a German phone and contract. Bought groceries from a German market. Rented a German apartment.

All of these were milestones for me. Some came with some sort of contract, in German, that I had to sign. All are things that, in America, we wouldn’t think twice about. But all were difficult and time-consuming. For me.

Every time I’ve mentioned to a German about how confusing, challenging, or frustrating something is, I get in response: “But it’s so easy!” It has become a little inside joke I have with myself because I’ve heard it over and over again.

You see, when you think about it, all of these things are so easy. When you speak the language. When you are used to doing things a certain way. When you are in your comfort zone.

So far, this experience has been a lesson in learning how to relinquish control. I guess it’s a bit unsettling when you’re used to being so in control of your life, and suddenly, you are not anymore. But you accept that’s how things are and you become ok with it. You realize life goes on, even if you’re not in complete control.

No one gives you a handbook and says, here, here are all the things you need to know about how to create the exact life you had before. You realize things will never be exactly as they were. And you accept that. You celebrate your small victories and you live in the moment, taking everything in around you.

I my new landlord today and signed the lease for the charming apartment. He had left a message in German on my cell phone that I had to have a co-worker listen to and translate. He didn’t realize I didn’t speak German.

He is very outgoing, with a great sense of humor and willing to bend the rules of the contract, something that has not always been the case here. We discussed how I have to contact an electrician to hook up lights, have the washer and dryer installed, wire money to his bank account. All things that are normal for renters here. He told me, “it’s not so easy.” And immediately I knew he was the right landlord for me. I thanked him for acknowledging the process was actually not so easy for someone from another country.

Meanwhile, I got two letters today–one from the government and one from my bank, both in German. The control freak in me would have Google translated the letters. But I’m going on holiday tomorrow, as the Germans do.

I’ll deal with the letters next week.