Hello, I'm Deniz, a 23-year-old learner passionate about exploring new horizons. Recently, I decided to take a bold step to realign my life with my true passions, discovering new people, the thrill of new experiences, and the joy of exploring nature. I am on a journey to discover more about myself and the world, eager to meet new people, try new things, and make a positive impact wherever I go.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Hello, I'm Deniz. I'm 23 years old and recently decided to reset my life by leaving my job, ending a relationship, and finishing my education. In this post, I'll share who I am, why I want to join this community, and my future plans.

I was a person that was completely committed to his career. As my professional journey progressed, I began to develop clear ideas about what I wanted to achieve. I planned to start my own company when the time was right. However, in the summer of 2023, my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This life-altering news prompted me to deeply reflect on what makes life beautiful. I took my mother to Paris in the fall, and witnessing how new experiences can transform people, even when the culture is familiar, was enlightening.

Though I had a successful life, I realized my energy was solely dedicated to work. While I enjoyed the financial comfort and success, my hobbies and social life had diminished. I questioned my dreams of wealth and status and understood that if I continued living this way, I'd always feel unfulfilled. More importantly, I recognized that my dreams of wealth and status were really about seeking appreciation and a sense of security within a social circle.

I wanted to spend my days in nature and sunlight, not confined to an office. Instead of using my achievements to feel superior or judge others, I wanted to genuinely connect with people and be a part of their lives. Rather than specializing in one narrow field for decades, I aspired to engage in diverse activities and grow in various areas. I aimed to be someone who solves real problems and brings tangible benefits to the world, rather than chasing profits at any cost.

Currently, I'm financially secure enough to travel and explore for 1-2 years without working. I'll start with a two-month European trip. I plan to explore Southeast Asia, including Bali, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I'm excited to try water sports like sailing and surfing (despite having no experience), meet new people, and engage in new activities. I hope that in a year, I'll be living a more fulfilling and authentic life.

If you've had experiences you think might be helpful or if there's anything you'd like to share, please feel free to reach out. I'm very open to discussing these topics, especially now that I have the time. 👋 Looking forward to connecting!

Interests

• coffee
• movies
• coding
• surfing
• travel
• nature
• beach
• meeting people
• horror movies

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: A very diverse set of musicians lol: daft punk, the blaze, Tool, System of a down, kendrick lamar, pink floyd, nirvana, dream theater, nicholas jaar, argy, lcd soundsystem, anyma

Movies: There will be blood, no country for old men, boogie nights, uncut gems, midsommar

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I was 21, I was a junior partner in a startup while studying engineering. working an average of 13-14 hours a day. I did this for 2 years

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach: a lil bit of English, a whole lot of Turkish, a lot of things related to coding and digital design

Learn: I usually want to learn about people deeply, I also love to learn about the culture, history and nightlife of new cities

Share: I'm not a materialistic person, I love to share most things lol

What I Can Share with Hosts

I would love to share memories and opinions about movies, art, travel, my own home country and culture.

Countries I’ve Visited

Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Turkey