Berlin Is Crazy on New Year’s Eve

Transcript

Manuel:
[0:09] Happy New Year, Jae!

Jae:
[0:11] Thank you. Happy New Year to you, too! Dang, this year went kind of fast, didn't it?

Manuel:
[0:18] Did it? Before we reflect on 2022, I just want to get the wording straight. In English, or in the US, you can say Happy New Year before the 31st, but also after the 31st. Is that correct?

Jae:
[0:36] Yeah. I mean, it's just, like, well wishes of the New Year if before, and then even still, well wishes that you have a good New Year even after. I think there is, like, a window period of, like, January. Then after February is ... you can't say it anymore, or it's weird if you do.

Manuel:
[0:54] Okay. You should be aware of the fact that in Germany and in German, there's two separate things to say: before the New Year - before January 1st at midnight - and then afterwards. And it's not, like, interchangeable. There's one thing that you say before, and that is, Guten Ruch! Guten Ruch ins neues Jahr! Literally, that means: Have a good slide into the New Year!

Jae:
[1:18] Guten Ruch.

Manuel:
[1:25] Like we're sliding ... in Germany, we're sliding into the New Year.

Jae:
[1:29] Sliding into the New Year. Okay.

Manuel:
[1:31] So you're wishing people einen Guten Ruch, a happy slide. And then once the clock strikes midnight, you say: Frohes neues Jahr! And that's: Happy New Year!

Jae:
[1:46] Frohes neues Jahr.

Manuel:
[1:48] Frohes: Happy, Neues: New, Jahr: Year - that's the same as in English: Frohes neues Jahr!

Jae:
[1:55] Ah. Frohes neues Jahr! Yeah.

Manuel:
[1:57] But you can't say Frohes neues Jahr! before January 1st, and you can't say Guten Ruch! after January 1st. So that's basically what you should keep in mind.

Jae:
[2:06] Why do you all make it so complicated? Happy New Year - it's easy. It's three ones. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Manuel:
[2:10] Happy New Year! That's right. Happy Holidays!

Jae:
[2:17] That's interesting.

Manuel:
[2:18] All right. Let's reflect on ... I have some plans for today. I wanted to introduce you to some German traditions related to the New Year. But let's look back on 2022.

Reflecting On 2022

[2:31] You moved to Berlin in ... which month?

Jae:
[2:36] April ... April.

Manuel:
[2:38] And so you've been here for the majority of the year. That's crazy.

Jae:
[2:41] Yeah. Honestly? Yeah. Now, now, actually. Yep. That is nuts. Wow! That's fucking wild. Yep. I started a new job with Easy Languages. That was on January 3rd. So it's been a year. And then I moved to, yeah, Berlin in April. And that's coming up on a year as well. It's been a wild time. Definitely, I think the biggest change that I've experienced - well, actually, I mean, these past few years have been very much constant change - but I think this has been the most, like, change that is quite permanent that I've had in, like, a long time. Long time. Yeah. It's been a it's been a ... a journey, to say ...

Manuel:
[3:34] Yeah. I mean it was a rough year globally. I mean it's crazy. We ... Russia attacked Ukraine. Something that was unthinkable. if you had asked anybody basically in January if that was a realistic scenario, I think most people would have said, "No way." And now this is just the new reality, and this war continues on. There is a revolution in the making in Iran. So much stuff is happening, and a lot of it is depressing and ... just ... I don't know, I don't want to say ... scary. But it is scary to a degree. But on the other hand, I mean, I'm seeing some stuff now on, like, Twitter, which is also its own story, the whole Elon Musk bang, Twitter and all of that. But, like, obviously some stuff changed for the better as well. There have been some breakthroughs in technology and stuff like that. And I only got to know you, really, this year, but I feel like your year, on a very small, personal scale, was similar, where you had some extremely rough times. You talked about them very openly on the show, but also in a broader sense, you seem to be very happy with your decision to have moved here. And like you said, it's a journey, and you're learning, and it's a good thing.

Jae:
[4:58] Yeah it ultimately is I think what ... the ... most beautiful part of this year was genuinely moving to Berlin, despite all the experiences, good or bad. Because, I mean, like, for four years I've been trying to move to this city. So this year was that year that it all came true, you know, that I did the thing, I did the deed. And I think that is just when I do take a step back and I focus on, you know, the gratitude and what to be grateful for. That is, I think, the biggest thing. And of course, I think any place you go to does have their challenges. I experienced, like, direct racism for the first time. I experienced being hospitalized for mental health issues for the first time. But I also experienced a lot of beautiful first things. You know, I experienced living, I mean, in Germany for the first time, getting a permanent, like, a long term visa. I experienced just a lot of cool things that I never thought that I would ever, like, get the opportunity to experience, especially post-COVID - or not post-COVID, but since COVID has happened. A lot of life has been just up in the air, and most times you're just really not knowing what to expect for the tomorrow, or for the next month, or whatnot. So it was a nice slide. Yeah, it was a nice slide.

Manuel:
[6:26] A nice slide. Okay, so ...

Jae:
[6:28] And what about you, though? I mean, how was your 2022?

Manuel:
[6:32] Oh, my 2022 was not quite as tumultuous, I would say, but it was, on a personal level, a good year. Obviously, the state of the world is affecting everybody, and including me and ... yeah, that's always kind of ... It's always, like, with me, and with us, like, these things. I don't know if this is if we just feel like this is a new thing or if it's always been like that, but I really feel like it's a new thing, where now the the kind of catastrophes and things that are happening in the world are ... there's like no break ever, and you can't really tune them out. And maybe it also has to do with the fact how connected we are these days. But I really feel, I mean, climate change, in and of itself, is like the big looming topic that we don't really address ever, even though it's, like, really, really, really urgent. And it's, like, always in the back of my mind. And in a way I feel really ...

[7:51] Kind of the young generation now, like the people who are 18 now, it's crazy that they have to spend their youth with these challenges always on their mind and literally fighting to to change things, while the old generation is ... is kind of slow and not changing things. But anyway, we should be optimistic and positive, and just be active and try to change things. And on a personal level, I have to say that I had a really good year because I've been fortunate enough to be safe, be productive, work on the things that I love working on. Easy German has had a lot of success this year. Easy Languages has been going well. My personal and new projects have been going well. I really, really wanted to start this podcast and that happened this year, so that was something that, like ... was challenging. We've addressed this. Like we basically both don't really have time for this project but we made time for it, and I'm really happy that we're doing it, and ... Yeah. So I'm just really fortunate and grateful to be alive and to experience what I'm experiencing.

Jae:
[9:10] That's really good. And I think that's a nice perspective to have, because I think, obviously it's very easy to get caught up into the negatives of the world. But I mean, it's very cliché, but you can't let it get you down, you know, and it is really good to focus on the positives. And yeah, this podcast was a really nice baby that was born into the world, and there's the other successes, and this idea that we're able still to keep going, you know, and we're able to look forward to something new. And bad things will happen, but also good things. I mean, one of the coolest things about 2022 was, I mean, borders opened, people were able to travel more, bars and clubs were opening a little bit more. And I think people got to get out finally this year. So that's something else I think we can be happy about, is that more people were able to connect physically, you know?

Manuel:
[10:00] Absolutely. All right. Do you want to learn about some traditions?

German New Year's Traditions

[10:05] Where are you spending New Year's? You're spending New Year's in the States, right? So you're not technically here.

Jae:
[10:08] I am I Yes, I am in Texas right now and I still am debating where we'll actually spend like tonight, so to say. Either we'll spend it in Austin clubbing or we'll spend it with my mother and family at home, which those are very two different experiences.

Manuel:
[10:35] Yes.

Jae:
[10:37] And I don't know what to prioritize and I don't know if that's good. I don't know how to ... what to prioritize. But that's the dilemma for today.

Manuel:
[10:44] I see. Well, I guess that is a typical dilemma in terms of how and where to celebrate. I mean, there is ... there are these big celebrations. The most famous one, probably, is the one in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. I've personally never been. I have heard that going there requires basically showing up at, like, ten in the morning and spending the whole day there ...

Jae:
[11:02] Oh.

Manuel:
[11:13] ...if you want, like, if you want to be in the crowd or anywhere close to the stage. And they, like, live stream it on TV. So it's, like, why would you stand in the cold, in the rain, in the snow, and wait? Like, spend your day there when you could just see this show, which isn't even that good, probably, just on TV. So ...

Jae:
[11:36] I mean, I guess it's like, you know, the New Year, like in New York, how everyone's in Times Square and you have that big ... like, little countdown and stuff.

Manuel:
[11:43] Right. But New York Times Square is New York Times Square. Like it's ... it's ... That, I would say: Okay, do it once in your life, like. But the Brandenburg Gate thing is not on the same level. Like, it's not a ... it's not not even close! Anyway, some people do that, and then, yeah, some people obviously throw parties, go clubbing, all of that stuff. I have been a big fan and proponent of spending time with your friends and/or family and just being some place cozy around the table, have a really nice dinner together, and and then just ... I don't know, cheer and hug each other when the clock strikes midnight.

Jae:
[12:32] Last summer, last New Year's, I actually was by myself in my bed. I was sick, so I woke up, like, the clock: Oh, it's 12! Happy New Year! And I went right back to sleep. The year before then I was in the UK and that was during COVID, so I spent that with friends. And then the year before that was with family. So I've never actually been clubbing for New Year's, only generally, like, either ... Yeah, mostly with friends, family or by myself.

Manuel:
[13:00] Yeah, I actually really like getting up early on January 1st and starting the day kind of fresh ... The year ... starting the year fresh and without a hangover and stuff. So I don't even drink much on December 31st. But in terms of traditions, we should start with dinner. It is very typical to eat Raclette on New Year's Eve, which ...

[13:32] ... is popular in Alpine countries. It comes from Switzerland, and it is ... basically, it's a device ... it's a thing that you put on the table, and you all have a tiny, tiny, tiny little pan. It's really hard to describe on a podcast, but basically everybody gets one or two tiny little pans, and those pans go into the device that's on the middle of the table. And then on top of the pans and on top of the device there's also a plate where you can put stuff to grill, and so on. The thing on top, you put like meat and stuff if you eat meat. And then on the ... in the little pans, you put all kinds of different things that are all laid out on the table. So you put corn, peas, broccoli, all kinds of different vegetables, and then people put, obviously, meat and fish, and whatnot. And then on top you always put Raclette, which ... that's the name of the cheese. There's like a special Raclette cheese from Switzerland. And you put your little pan in, and you wait until it's ready and then you eat it, and you make the next one, and the next one, and the next one. And ... it's nice. I always loved it as a child, especially because it's very simple, but you feel like you're making your own meal every time because you always put in your own little pan.

[14:58] And because you only have so little space in each pan, and you have to arm it, and then put it in, and then wait, it really slows things down. Like it's kind of a slow process, because you are always making these tiny little pans and then you have to wait, and then ... you know, it's just a slow thing that you all do together, and it's very cozy. And it gets very hot! You have to, like, put your drinks far away on the corner of the table, so they don't get hot. And it's nice. It's a nice Swiss tradition that we also do in Germany.

Jae:
[15:34] Yeah, I'm looking at it right now. It looks very ... Yeah, it looks very fun. I would like to do stuff like that, like, like, little personal DIY type of things. And there's these Raclettes are, or the machines are, very fancy too.

Manuel:
[15:50] Yeah, not really. You can get one for like €35 on Amazon. They're not pricey, and most families, I would say, have one at home.

Jae:
[15:58] Is there, like. a vegan version? Or do you, like, cheat on that day?

Manuel:
[16:03] No, I don't cheat on that day, but it's easy to do a vegan version, because you decide what to put in, and it's actually a good thing to do, in like mixed settings where there's vegans and not vegans because you can just put a bunch of stuff on the table, and then I just don't put any meat in there, and I use a vegan cheese alternative, which obviously doesn't come close to real Raclette cheese. I get that. But that's what being a vegan is about. But yeah, it's ... it's really fun. Next tradition is a word that I cannot read in English. So in German, it's called Bleigießen.

Jae:
[16:45] I like it.

Manuel:
[16:46] And I'm looking at the Wikipedia entry in English, and in English, apparently, it's molybdomancy. So it's a technique of divination using molten metal. You're looking it up? Yeah. Look at the picture.

Jae:
[17:07] And I'm trying to spell it. But how do you spell it?

Manuel:
[17:12] Molly ... like the name Molly with one l, b, domancy. Molybdomancy. Basically, what it is, is you're taking ... lead - is it pronounced 'lead'? Yeah, lead. You're taking little pieces of lead ... Which, by the way ... this whole thing is now illegal in the EU. You can't do it anymore. I will tell you what the new alternative version is, because what you're doing is you're taking lead, and you're putting it on a little spoon, and then you're putting the spoon with the lead over a candle until the lead in your spoon melts. It's crazy that this is a tradition that we've done for many decades. So you're waiting for the lead to melt, and then you have liquid melt in ... liquid lead in your spoon, and then you throw that into a bowl of cold water. And then what happens is the lead immediately solidifies and becomes solid.

Jae:
[18:14] Oh, I'm looking at it.

Manuel:
[18:16] Okay. And while you're doing that, obviously, like, some of the lead is evaporating and stuff like that. And this is not particularly healthy. And so that's why ... I think that's one of the reasons why it's not legal anymore. But the point of this is that you then take the now solidified and cold lead out of the water and you look at it, and it looks like a crumpled, weird piece of lead.

Jae:
[18:41] Yes.

Manuel:
[18:42] And then, everybody around the table looks at it and you kind of decide either together - or maybe just the person who's doing it at the moment decides - what they see in this object. What does it remind them of? A fish, a spider, a sun, a heart, could be anything. Right? Like, what's the association that you have with this thing? And then you interpret it somehow. And either you do freestyle, like you just make your own thing up ... But I think most people have, like, some kind of book or app or whatever, where you then look up, okay, what does a heart mean? What does a spider mean, What does a chair mean? And then it's ... like it's similar to, like, the star signs where it's, like: Okay, you have a heart. So that means next year you'll fall in love and and live happily ever after.

Jae:
[19:33] Yeah. Interesting. Interesting tradition. Kind of cool. Yeah. I think the health ... the health ... the health concerns are definitely a thing.

Manuel:
[19:45] Yeah. So the alternative now is to use wax, just, like, candle wax, which works similarly, but doesn't work quite ... like it just doesn't ... it doesn't react the same as lead does in water.

Jae:
[19:57] ... Do it the same way.

Manuel:
[20:02] And it also doesn't look as cool, and you don't get to kind of keep it as, like, an object, so it's not as much fun. But yeah, I should highlight that this is really something that many, many, many people do, even though most people don't believe in this. Obviously. Like, it's not ... it's not that all Germans believe that this is actually some kind of a thing that tells you about the future. It's just kind of a fun, stupid thing that you do while you ... because you have a lot of hours to kill, right? You have dinner at like 7, and then you have, like five hours to kill until until the year starts. And so this is one of the things that you do.

Jae:
[20:29] There is waiting most of the time.

[20:38] So it's illegal in the EU, though.

Manuel:
[20:41] Like it's illegal to sell these kits. Like usually you could just, like right before ... like in the weeks leading up to New Year's, you could get these kits in the supermarket that would have the spoon and the little pieces of lead, and they can't sell them anymore. So now they sell them with, like, alternative things inside of them.

Jae:
[21:01] And how do other people, though, like, so ... able to do it, like, without a kid? Like, can you just buy lead yourself? And then ...

Manuel:
[21:08] Oh, I don't ... I don't know. I mean, maybe! But people just buy the ... like the kits with the candle wax now, which ... yeah, you're just melting that and throwing that into water.

Jae:
[21:19] Interesting. We don't have traditions like this in America. Our tradition is just to drink.

Manuel:
[21:25] Well, there's that. We all do that as well! Next, this is one that is a little crazy to me. And I am in a position ... let's just say I think we should stop doing this. But Germany is one of the few countries in the world where it is legal to use your own firecrackers and fireworks on New Year's Eve. And there's a specific law. Even, like, these things are illegal for the entire year and only on New Year's Eve is it legal to use them. And they can only be sold, like, one week in advance of New Year's Eve. And there's some kind of limit, like these really crazily loud crackers that are imported from China, or sometimes Poland, or whatever - those are illegal, people bring them anyway. But even the ones that are legal are, like, pretty intense, like there's legit rockets and stuff like that, that people buy and use. And a lot of Germans love it. Like, a lot of Germans ...

[22:37] ... really live for this tradition to go out at midnight and, like, throw crackers and start these little rockets and stuff. And I kind of get it. Like, as a child, I also loved doing it. Like, obviously playing with fire is always kind of cool. But as an adult, like, once you learn about the disadvantages and, kind of, the reasons against doing this, you're like: How are we still doing this? So, because, like, number one is every year, every fucking year, a few ... like, several people lose a finger or a hand or more. Every year the ambulances and the fire department are, like, out around the clock with no pause whatsoever. The hospitals are full with people who hurt themselves. Like every single year, that is the case.

[23:38] And then, apart from that, it's a huge impact on the quality of air. Like, on New Year's Eve, there's like more Feinstaub - I don't really know what the ... - fine particles, fine dust released into the air, than all the other days of the year combined, basically, so the air quality really, really, really goes down a lot. And it's, like, it's a big impact. And some people who have, like, asthma and stuff, basically can't breathe. And then animals go wild. Like every single dog owner, which - I became a dog owner this year - Tofu, yeah, that's right, Tofu! ... have to drug their pets because they get so scared because of all of the noise, that it's basically a huge trauma for them.

Jae:
[24:30] Yeah, interesting. But, like, I mean, I would say this is very, very normal in America as well. Fireworks and stuff. Yes.

Manuel:
[24:38] Really? But isn't it only, like, organized on, like, a city level where there's, like, a big fireworks that, I don't know, the city does? Or some organization?

Jae:
[24:47] No. Some cities ... some states like Louisiana, for example, you're able to have your own fireworks. And I think even Texas, you're able to have fireworks. Yeah. So there's, like, I would constantly ... especially on 4th of July, especially on 4th of July, like there'll be these, like, big, like, container type of, like, shops, like, on the side of the road, and you just go there and buy as many fireworks as you want. Yeah. But in ... fireworks can only be sold, kind of ... Like, I'm looking at it for right now. As of 2016, fireworks can now be sold from June 24th through July 4th and then December 20th through January 1st. So ... and you can also buy fireworks for, like, Texas Independence Day, San Jacinto Day, Memorial Day. We love our fireworks. I mean, I don't do fireworks. I mean, of course, like, when I was a kid or whatnot, but like, yeah, always for the holidays, we would have fireworks going on, like all of the time. Thankfully, I never got injured. But yeah, like, it's very, very, very common for us to do fireworks.

Manuel:
[26:03] Okay. Well, I hope you guys are more responsible than we ...

Jae:
[26:06] It's America. What do you think?

Manuel:
[26:09] So, what I encourage you to do, since you're not spending New Year's in Berlin, go to YouTube and search for: Silvester in Berlin. I'll also put this in the show notes. Silvester is New Year's Eve, and you will see some videos like, New Year Walk in Neukölln and Kreuzberg.

Jae:
[26:23] I was going to ask that. Yeah.

Manuel:
[26:29] Like some of these kietzes, some of these quarters in Berlin, especially Neukölln, Wedding, Kreuzberg ...

Jae:
[26:37] ... I just found a video of, literally, my street! My street! I'm sending it right now. My street!

Manuel:
[26:43] Right. And look at the video, it is insane. Because people, like in the countryside, where, like, there's, like, house after house after house, people buy the fireworks and then they go out and they shake hands: "Happy New Year, Dear Neighbor!" And then they put their little rocket in the bottle as you're supposed to, and light it, and walk away ten steps and wait for it to go off. That's how you're supposed to do it. In Berlin - not everybody, obviously, but in Berlin - in many places, people do crazy shit. They take the rockets into their hands and launch them out of their hands. They take the rockets into their mouths and launch them out of their mouths. They shoot them onto cars and taxis that are driving by. They shoot them onto houses. It's insane. And it's insane to me that this is somehow accepted and that that no one has said: Okay, Berlin, like, you've taken it too far. No more fireworks for you, It's just illegal citywide now... It's intense. It's crazy. Yes.

Jae:
[27:43] Crazy. Look at the video that I just, like ... This is my street! Like ... Like this is my, like ... like, like, my U-Bahn! Like, literally, what you hear ... the ambulance ... This is my street! They are just popping down ... like, what if you're just walking? Like, this shit can ... Okay, yeah, we don't do that. Wow! That is ... okay, wow!

Manuel:
[28:03] Yes. Yes. That's why I prefer to, like, visit friends or visit family and just be inside and then maybe go out for a few minutes, like at midnight. Last year, we didn't even do that. We just stayed inside. We played board games and, like, we opened the window and looked outside and, like, looked at the fireworks outside, but we didn't even leave the house. So that's what I would recommend. But if you're new in Berlin, maybe, you know, from a safe distance, it's interesting too.

Jae:
[28:33] From a safe distance, please. Because I can tell you right now from my street, these people are wild already. So I can only imagine what they would be like on Silvester.

Manuel:
[28:41] Yes.

Jae:
[28:45] They're just doing it, just in the middle of the street. Wow! People are ... And like, it's like no one's telling them not to do that. Like ...

Manuel:
[28:56] I mean, there's police everywhere, but they have their hands full with stuff to do. Like, it's not like they can go to people and say: Hey, please stop doing this. It's just ... it's kind of ... it's kind of ... anarchy that ... is ... rules Berlin's streets on New Year's Eve.

Jae:
[29:10] Yeah. This is not what I was talking about with fireworks. I'm like, we go ... we want you pop fireworks up, not across. Like they're supposed to go: into the sky, not to the wind.

Manuel:
[29:18] Yeah.

Jae:
[29:22] Like, literally, they're shooting them at this balcony. Oh, my gosh!

Manuel:
[29:26] Yes. Yes. That's what I've been trying to explain to you, Jae.

Jae:
[29:27] Oh, my gosh! Wow! This is crazy. I'm thinking: Oh, no, you know, like, like 4th of July you go to ... one ... the middle of the street at least, and you're, like, one ... these streets aren't busy because you're in neighborhoods. You, like, set the fireworks down and then you run away, you know, so no one's close to the firework, and you always point it up. You're not pointing it at each other.

Manuel:
[29:52] Right. It's bad. I love the shock on ... on your face.

Jae:
[29:56] It is. I am. Because I just ... I was like: Oh, no, yeah, fireworks. Those are fine. We don't ... Hold on ... I must also just say to y'all, for example, I'm recording at home and I guarantee you, it's only been like fifteen minutes, and there's already been like four ambulances driven by! Neukölln is a very interesting place, if you guys ever want to live here. You know, you guys will never be bored. You might not be safe either, but you'll always be entertained.

Manuel:
[30:30] That's right. So, yeah, next year, Jae, I think you should spend New Year's Eve in Germany and experience these traditions.

Jae:
[30:37] I think so, too. Yeah. Like I actually ... if I had redone my trip, I probably would have left the beginning of December and then come back, like the 30th, or whatnot. I don't know why I decided to spend New Year's back home. But like, yeah, I want to like, do New Year's properly next year. 2024!

Manuel:
[31:01] So, I think this is not a particularly German thing - everybody sets resolutions around the world, I think. Right? This is a global thing, where people set resolutions for the New Year? Yeah.

2023 Predictions And Resolutions

[31:16] I mean, the New Year isn't the same around the world. Right? Like the Chinese have their own New Year, Lunar New Year. But what are your resolutions for next year and what do you predict 2023 will be like?

Jae:
[31:32] Resolutions ... I guess, like, one of the things that's ... Like, yeah, I'm in Berlin now, so that was a big goal of mine. And I've always been on the fence of like, well: Will he stay, won't he stay, or whatnot? And I'm staying, I'm staying here. So, one of the biggest things I'm looking forward to in the New Year is like, one, feeling well adjusted to Berlin, also getting my own flat. I really still want my own flat, my own place to live, but, like, genuinely feeling like I live in Berlin. I'm also wanting to, like, do more artistic stuff, creating my own collective, maybe putting on some artistic events here. So I definitely am going to be focusing on the art side of things. But also ... there's also a part of me that wants to live this coming of age ...

[32:28] ... road trip, traveling around Europe when the spring, summer time hits, and going to lakes and going to the beaches and Italy and Spain, and like really actually exploring Europe. I think this year was a lot of adjustment just to Berlin, so I didn't really get out of Berlin really, except when we went to Barcelona. But that was even ... even then it was more for work. So I'm hoping to kind of live this like ... yeah, I call it the 'Call Me by Your Name' coming-of-age experience!

Manuel:
[33:06] I love that you have a name for it already.

Jae:
[33:07] Yeah. Because. like. when I watched that movie, like despite the actual story, it was just like he was in this ... like he went ... his family goes to this place in the summertime, and he has this like ... like those, like, summer love type of things. And I'm not trying to get that in particular, but as idea that you are kind of escaping and you're kind of freeing yourself in, like, a different way. I want to feel free, and I want to explore and, like, visit some of the places that, like, I used to live. Like I want to go back to, kind of, France and visit Nice. Maybe go back to Manchester. I want to try Italy. So yeah, I'm thinking this New Year is going to be a lot of, like, trying to explore, and also get out of Berlin, but also really dive deeper into my artistry, and predictions for next year. Yeah.

Manuel:
[33:57] Wait, I have a question for you. You're one of the most ambitious people I know, in terms of how many different projects you have running at any given time, and how many new things you're trying to start, and how many artistic projects and ideas you have. And then at the same time, you just explained that you kind of want to live in the moment and explore and and just be here now. So, how do you balance that? Because that's one of the big things that I want to try and get better at. Like, how do you make sure you are productive and work on all of the things that you want to work on, while not kind of closing, you know, your time to a degree where you can't ... where there's no room for, like, spontaneity and just being in the moment?

Jae:
[34:50] For sure. That's a great question. It's actually ... I mean, it's still a challenge to ... I mean, that's one of my resolutions is probably trying to find that balance. But I think one of the ways I'm kind of doing that, is actually opposite of thinking of productivity.

[35:05] There's this level of trust that I am trying to develop with myself, where I just know that everything will fall into place when it falls into place. For example, when I first moved to Berlin, I really wanted to be a part of, like, a group, or. like. a collective, or whatnot. And I found one. I'm not doing it really anymore, but that naturally happened, and now it's inspired me to create my own. I mean I was talking to somebody about it the other day and they were like, "Oh my gosh, this is such good career idea." So, like, it's subtly coming. And I think my approach is ... kind of the way that I am going to get to those goals is by kind of living in the moment. Like, I have my goals, and I'll get to it. I think my whole mindset is I'll get to it when I get to it. And that kind of relaxes me because I think being ambitious, I know that I will never stop, you know, wanting different things. So I don't have to really worry about getting to where I want to go, because I have to just trust that where I'm at right now, and who I am, will always get me to where I'm going. So it's going to be a lot of trust. I think that's the answer. Trust in yourself, and trust that you don't have to push yourself too hard. That by taking a step back, and, you know, doing what feels natural in the moment will get you to where you want to go.

[36:34] If that makes sense?

Manuel:
[36:37] That makes sense. It's interesting. I will follow your projects and your kind of state of mind closely because I know that also in the past you've kind of overwhelmed yourself. And so I think that's something to be aware of and to take care of.

Jae:
[36:54] Yeah, it's ... it's very hard. Like, I don't have a solution for it. I mean, I think my solution is getting people to do the work for me.

Manuel:
[37:04] That? Well, that that's a way to scale things! Yes! That's capitalism!

Jae:
[37:05] That's the ... that's the long term goal. Yeah.

Manuel:
[37:11] Be the factory owner! But ...
Jae:
[37:13] Yeah. Because I always talk about to my friend like, you know what? I'm the idea guy. I need people to execute my ideas ....

Manuel:
[37:22] Yeah, but then it doesn't ... It's just ... Having ideas, and having other people execute them, doesn't feel the same
Jae:
[37:24] But not ... no, but ... but like ... like, not in that way. Like, I described it as, like, the way that I really want to create art is, like, how you make a film. I mean, actually, I mean, like, you do it in Easy German. There's not just one person, you know, You have someone doing the filming, got somebody doing the editing, that's someone doing the writing. You have a team together.

Manuel:
[37:46] But just in ... But just in ... It took 15 years to get there. It was 15 years.

Jae:
[37:50] Exactly. Yes. Well, yes. And ...

Manuel:
[37:52] Janusz and Cari did it all by themselves. And then, very slowly, Isi joined the team, and then I joined the team, and then a few more people joined the team. But it takes time.

Jae:
[37:59] It totally does. Yes. And that's something I'm ... It takes time, exactly. I'm totally aware of that. But that's like the the thing in the back of my head of, like, we'll get there, you know? And like that's not the expectation that I'll be there right now, but, you know, like, like eventually I'll be able to add people, and join people, but until then I'll go at my own pace. I think that the biggest thing is that there is no rush. I have all of these ideas. I think what makes me overwhelmed is that I feel like I have to do everything right now, and that is not the answer, nor is it the solution. I can have all of these ideas, and they'll come whenever they come.
Manuel:
[38:37] It is true. You don't have to do everything right now. But I also ... like, my big frustration and my big resolution to do better next year, is that I have all these ideas and things I want to do and projects both kind of professionally with our team and then also kind of outside of easy languages, other things that I want to do. And I write them all down and I believe in them, and I really believe in them. Like some ideas come and go, but some ideas have been with me for literally years, and I just really want to do them. And I go from day to day and from week to week ...

[39:15] ... and work on urgent things that always ... kind of, the next thing, the thing, that needs to be done right now, like the email that needs to be answered now, the thing that needs to be dealt with now.

[39:28] And I mean, those things feel really urgent. And so they get done, and some of them are urgent, but a lot of them maybe aren't as urgent as they seem, and aren't as important as some of those long term projects would be. Or, you know, how happy would it make me to make progress on these projects? And I finally realized that just kind of winging it and trying to ... kind of, this ... this idea, I'll get to it when I get to it, it just doesn't work, because I will never get to it. And so now I am ... It sounds terrible, but it's really ... I am becoming like my calendar. Like I have a to do list, but the to do list is just to bring order into chaos. So the to do list now, like, really has all of my projects with all of the steps kind of listed out. It's just to bring, like, basically the ... these are the steps that are required to bring each project into the world. But the thing that will make it happen for me now is my calendar. And I promised myself that I will really ... I will block out times that are dedicated for specific things, and that includes limiting the time that ...

[40:45] ... can be used for these kind of urgent tasks. I'm naming it, like, on my calendar right now, it's just called: Task Time, where yes, obviously every day there's, like, emails to be dealt with and things to be dealt with. Those things are important, but they're not important enough to spend every single day, every single week on it the whole day. So I'm blocking two hours and that's Task Time. And then if I didn't get done, so be it. I need to work for a few hours on something that is a long term thing, even if it doesn't feel urgent right now. Like I'm trying to create that urgency for things that aren't technically urgent because they could wait. But if they ... like, they can always wait and that means they will just never get done. So that's my big resolution - to kind of get the ball rolling on some of these kind of bigger projects. They're not crazy things either. Like I want to help more people start their own podcast. I'm a huge believer in like podcasting and more people should do it and stuff, so I want to do some stuff around that. And then there's a ton of projects around Easy German that I want to kind of help kickstart, and those things like they will ... I'm trying to bring urgent urgency to them and block time out for them.

Jae:
[42:01] Yeah. No, that's really ... and honestly, I ... I struggle with that so much, as bringing that urgency, because, I mean, life presents itself and then there are things that - quote unquote - "are urgent", and then that just pushes the things that you really, really, really care about, back. And sometimes to be fair, it's not fair to yourself, you know, because it's like, I know you ... you love podcasting. I know that you've talked about that being one of your projects for like a minute now, you know, and it's something that ... that I know would really make you feel fulfilled. And I've done the same exact thing with, like, I'm doing I'm trying to do a new podcast, too. And I've only ... I'm trying to ... I was going and trying to record four episodes, but I haven't, I've only done one episode. And yeah, it just keeps getting pushed back, and I think that's something I definitely do want to work on. I guess for me, I just always have the struggle of, like, I'm always on, either the scale ... like I'm always an extreme, so I'm either pushing myself and pressuring myself to do everything right now, or I'm not doing anything at all. And I really struggle with having that balance of like being able to, like, compassionately motivate myself to be consistent, but also not worrying that it won't get done, and also not feeling like I'm not doing anything.

Manuel:
[43:19] Yeah. You know, we're both ... we talked about this a few times. We're both budgeting fans. We both use this app, YNAB, to budget our finances. And they have ... they ... they're ... they're not sponsoring us - yet!

Jae:
[43:27] Great app, guys!

[43:32] Yes.

Manuel:
[43:34] They ... they have this kind of philosophy that you should budget all of your dollars or euros, like every single dollar or euro that you have. You should ... you should give it a job. So you should budget it, but then you should also ... what do they always say? Like ... "roll with the punches", like, be flexible when you need to be. And that's kind of how I'm viewing it with my calendar now. Basically, I want to schedule all of my time because it's ... time is like money, like, it's finite. You only have a set amount, and you need to allocate it somehow. And so my calendar is is very planned out now, including free time, which ... I haven't spent enough time with my friends this year. I haven't spent enough quality time with my godchild this year. Like, I really want to make more time for these things as well. And I'm going to put them on the calendar and try to do more of it. But then, like you said, like, you have to be compassionate, and if there's a day where you just really don't feel like working on a certain thing, or you ... whatever, you're not productive, and you need to change things and be flexible, then you need to have the wisdom to do it. But I think it helps to have a plan and then adjust the plan, rather than not having a plan and just hope that things will kind of work out.

Jae:
[44:50] I agree so much, but like. maybe have advice on this, or whatnot. I just struggle with making the plan. And like ... like I struggled not only with making the plan but I'm very impulsive, and that can be great sometimes. And then other times, I don't think it's that good. But like, whenever, like, I sit down to make a plan, either I don't know what to put on my plan, or I don't end up making the plan, or so much spontaneous stuff happens and then the whole plan just gets erased. So it's not even that I'm rolling with the punches, but I'm throwing away the entire plan that I just worked on. And it's like ... it's so weird. It's like I get so, like, even though, like, I say, like, I really want to do this podcast, there's a part where I just can't, like, just move, you know? I just feel so, like ... like, frozen, even though it's something that I really want to do. And I know that making a plan and time blocking would really help, but it's really hard to get yourself into that mindset sometimes.

Manuel:
[45:49] Yeah. And breaking it down into tiny pieces, like that was ... I mean, it's such a no-brainer, I think, for many people. But it took me a long time to understand that any project that is ... that takes more than half an hour basically, you really need to sit down and break it into tiny pieces and write down, okay, step number one that I can do to start this project is whatever it is. And then that step basically shouldn't take more than 30 minutes. Like you really ... I really try to break things down into tiny pieces because otherwise you get frozen and you're like: How can I start a new podcast? Like, that's a huge undertaking. I'll just never get around to it.

Jae:
[46:26] Yeah. Yeah. I think I don't like the word, Time Management, because that scares me. But this idea that I am able to, I guess, put things into per ... I think another resolution is: putting things into perspective would be a better time .... Like, like, how you say, like, okay, 30 minutes seeing that project in 30 minutes, versus this, like, big mountain that you have to climb. And then be, like: Okay, I can spend some time on that. And then also reminding myself of what my goals are. Sometimes you can kind of get so consumed with everyday life, or with all the other things, that you just forget to even just look at what your goals are. You know, not necessarily have to act on them, but, like, remind yourself what you really want sometimes.

Manuel:
[47:12] Happy New Year, Jae!

Jae:
[47:14] Happy New Year!