“Heute Habe Ich Sturmfrei.”

Today is a special day.

No, I didn’t land a new job. And I didn’t win the lottery. Instead, I’ve unlocked the ultimate key to domestic bliss: I’m the only one at home.

“Ich habe sturmfrei”!

But how do I convey this quasi-magical experience to the English-speaking world? 

After extensive research and some humorous translation attempts (including “I have free storm“), I found out that it’s actually quite simple: “I have the place to myself”.  Yes, that’s right—my home is mine and mine alone today.

This may sound less spectacular than our German expression “sturmfrei“, but it actually hits the nail on the head: Enjoying private space without disturbances, interruptions or unwanted visitors. It conveys the exact image of freedom and independence that we associate with “sturmfrei“.

And as we say, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”

So, I’m indulging in a little bit of mischief. I’m dancing in the living room, singing at the top of my lungs, and making questionable food choices. It’s as if I’m a child again, minus the sticky fingers and endless energy.

I know this won’t last forever, but for now, I’m relishing the solitude and the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want. 

It’s a cat’s life, and it’s pretty good.

And if you also have the house to yourself right now—enjoy it!