Today we are learning German with the story: “Lara’s consumption cycle”. Find out how Lara buys a lot of things and tries to sort out her feelings. Have fun listening and learning!

Let's go! It's Monday morning. The sun shines through my small window.

My alarm has been going off for five minutes, but I just stay there. My name is Lara, I am 27 years old, I work in an office and live alone in a small apartment in the middle of the city. My apartment looks like a warehouse.

There are boxes, bags and clothes everywhere that I hardly use. I love buying new things. That makes me happy – at least for a short time.

But afterwards I often feel empty. My best friend Mia always says that I buy too much. She is completely different than me.

She is neat, organized and only buys what she really needs. We've known each other since school and she often helps me when I don't know what to do next. This morning I'm looking for my keys.

The dresser in the hallway is so full that I can barely open the drawer. When I finally pull it open, an old bag falls to the floor. It is unused and still looks like new.

I suddenly remember that I bought it months ago because I thought it was perfect for me. But I never wore them. I look around my apartment.

There are things everywhere that I don't use. Suddenly I feel uncomfortable. Why do I buy so much?

I don't have time to think about it any further because my cell phone rings. It's Mia. "Hey Lara, we wanted to go into town today.

Did you forget that? " Of course I forgot. I quickly put on a jacket and set off for a run.

The city is hectic as always. People rush through the streets, there are shop windows with big SALE signs everywhere. I stop in front of a shop.

I see a beautiful red bag in the shop window. It is elegant, made of leather and has gold details. My heart beats faster.

"Lara, don't go in," Mia says sternly. "You don't need a new bag! " But I don't listen to her.

I go to the store and buy the bag. At home I put the bag on the shelf. There are at least ten other bags next to her that I rarely use.

I look at them and ask myself: Why did I buy them? I suddenly feel bad. The next day Mia comes to me.

She sees the new bag and shakes her head. "Lara, why do you keep doing this? Does it really make you happy?

" I don't know what to say. I shrug my shoulders and say, "I just like pretty things. " Mia looks at me seriously.

"Lara, I think you're shopping because you feel empty. Maybe you're distracting yourself with the purchases. " Your words hit me.

I get angry. "That's not true! I buy because I want to!

" Mia sighs. "Lara, you should think about it. " I lie awake at night.

I think of Mia's words. Maybe she's right. Since my last relationship I have often felt lonely.

Shopping makes me feel good, but it doesn't last long. I actually feel worse afterwards. The next day I decide to check my credit card statements.

I want to know how much money I have spent in the last few months. The numbers shock me. Thousands of euros!

For things I hardly use. I feel guilty and a bit helpless. I'll call Mia.

“You were right,” I say. "I don't buy because I need it. I buy because I feel bad.

" Mia listens to me and says, "That's a good start, Lara. But you have to change something. " Mia suggests that I don't buy anything for a week.

No clothes, no bags, no online shopping. At first I think this is impossible. But I want to try it.

The first week is difficult. I see a jacket online that fits my new bag perfectly. I feel the urge to buy them.

My hands are shaking as I almost press the "Buy Now" button. But then I close the laptop and write Mia a message: "I did it. I didn't buy anything!

" At the end of the week I feel proud. Mia has a new idea: "Why don't you sell a few things you don't need? That will free up space in your apartment - and in your head.

" We'll sort out my apartment together. We make boxes with clothes, bags and other things I haven't used in years. It's hard to part with some things.

But Mia helps me. "Lara, if you haven't used it in a year, you probably don't need it. " At the weekend we go to a flea market.

I have a small stand with my things. People come by, look around and ask for prices. An older man sees an old lamp.

He says: "It reminds me of my childhood. I'll take it. " A funny moment happens when a woman tries on one of my bags.

She turns around and almost knocks over the table. We all laugh out loud. I enjoy the flea market.

It's the first time in a long time that I feel happy - and without buying anything new. At the end of the day I sold a lot of things. My apartment is a little emptier and my wallet is a little fuller.

But the best thing is: I feel free. Mia smiles at me and says, "See, Lara? Sometimes less is more.

" After the flea market I start to change my life. Now I only buy things that I really need. Before I buy something, I ask myself: "Will this make me happy?

Or will it just distract me? " I also discover new hobbies. I paint, read books and go for walks.

Instead of shopping online, I spend more time with Mia. We often talk about conscious consumption and minimalism. One day I'm walking through the city.

I see a big SALE sign in a store window. In the past I would have stopped immediately. But now I just keep running.

I don't need anything. My apartment is now tidy. I have space for things that really matter: beautiful moments with friends, time for myself and the freedom to simply be.

When I think of old Lara filling her apartment with things, I have to smile. This journey wasn't easy, but it changed me. "It's not what you own, but who you are," I think.

And that is exactly the most important lesson I have learned. It's Monday morning. The sun shines through my small window.