From the archive

You left. Why are you still living there?

At first, it was temporary. Wait it out. See what happens. Don't buy too much, don't get attached, don't make serious plans. Why learn the language if you're going back soon? Then a year passed. Then another. The temporary apartment filled up with bags, the temporary job became routine, and the decision is still postponed until the next news update. You've built yourself a waiting room with monthly rent. Nobody ever promised your flight would board.