As I stepped off the ferry onto Bornholm Island for the first time, a wave of relief washed over me, replacing the lingering anxiety that had plagued me throughout the journey. The prospect of spending hours on a ferry had left me feeling apprehensive and stressed for weeks already, but as I set foot on the island's shores, I was greeted by an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility that I had not expected.

Bornholm was not my typical destination – I was more accustomed to bustling cities and crowded places. It was my first time visiting Denmark in general.
However, as I began to explore the island and interact with its residents, I quickly realized that I had stumbled upon something truly special – a place where tranquility, happiness, and a sense of community reigned supreme.

During my time on Bornholm, I couldn't help but notice how relaxed and content the people seemed to be.
The neighbors of my bnb as well as people working in shops and restaurants - even though it was summer season and the island was visited by lots of people, everyone I met seemed so calm, relaxed, friendly and in a good mood. It was as if the stresses of the outside world simply melted away in the presence of Bornholm's natural beauty and warm community spirit.

So I started to point out to residents, that the mood and atmosphere on the island is remarkable. People knew, and they were very proud of it.

Whenever life gets stressful, I try to remind myself of the sense of peace, gratitude, and contentment – things I appreciated most on Bornholm.

Interacting with the residents was a great experience, since each of them was aware of the little paradise they live in. They valued how they lived together in those small town communities and many said, that they would not trade against a busy big city life. Wealth or status is not what brings true happiness. For the people I met on Bornholm, it was the simplicity, the community and harmony that keeps them going.

That very special feeling the island had given me, made me visit Bornholm again - even though I still struggle with taking longer trips on ferries.
I am not able to make people overcome their anxieties, but I gathered some tips, for people struggling with the same problems: Tips against sea sickness.