Chapter Two: The Expected, the Surprising, and the “It is what it is”
For my first report, I couldn’t wait for it’s time to come to write all that I had to say. Now, for my second report, the time has long arrived and I still can’t find the right words. It’s been one hell of a ride and it’s not even over yet, this ESC. So many things have happened, partly planned, partly pleasant surprises, and partly, well, completely unplanned surprises. Here’s what I’ve realized: I’m honestly glad I came here in my late twenties. A few years back, I’m pretty sure I would’ve had a borderline meltdown trying to figure out which tram to take, let alone how to navigate life.
First order of business: If you don’t feel ready, don’t push it.
Corollary: If you’re the type who likes to hibernate in their comfort zone and wait for a “perfect moment,” then let this be your call to action. An ESC might be exactly what you need to finally grow those wings and find yourself. In a completely new environment, you end up discovering and learning so many things that your old one simply couldn’t pull out of you.
The second topic on the agenda today: If you are planning to start an ESC (or just living life in general) don’t expect it to be easy. Life isn’t. There have to be both good and bad things in order for them to exist at all. The secret? There actually is one, and you don’t need to pay for a subscription or special order to hear it. Pinterest moms got it right, and so did Bob Marley, “Always look on the bright side of life”. That’s it! There will always be both a dark and a bright side to every situation. Accept that both exist and be thankful for the bright one. Find what’s good in it. Find what you like in it and what you enjoy. Trust me, this mindset has made life here and in general much easier and better for me.
Also, unexpected things are inevitable. You can’t possibly predict every single outcome of every situation and plan accordingly. That’s called anxiety and it’s not helpful. Instead, trust you’ll handle it when it arrives. Why? Because if you do look on the bright side, unexpected situations won’t seem scary; they’ll just be valuable learning curves. In this competitive world, becoming tougher and more experienced is crucial, so stay ahead of the curve by doing things that fright you!
Third piece of advice: If you’re interested in design, youth work, photography, marketing, or filming, definitely consider applying for my spot, as a part of the Social Media and Content Creation team at NaturKultur. The world is going digital at warp speed, and social media and content creation skills are becoming a privilege pass on Linkedin. Additionally, sustainability, diversity, and personal growth are huge pillars in this organisation, for your resume and for your character.
The blend of acceptance, understanding, adaptability, and a safe space for both big ideas and big mistakes, is something I haven’t encountered in a professional environment very often before, and doubt will many times over in the future. The universe must’ve gotten up on the right foot when it decided for me to choose and get accepted for this volunteering. It’s one of the best teams you’ll ever encounter, so appreciate their kindness and trust without taking advantage of it. It’s what keeps the office genuine and fun, and it would be a shame if that ever had to change.
Advice 3.2: Do take advantage of all the opportunities NaturKultur offers. Especially if you’re interested in international and local youth work, or creativity in general, the opportunities will be endless and you won’t know what to do first.
Okay, that’s my two cents, and, well, all the space I have on this page. Everything else will come in my third and final report. I hope whoever’s reading found this helpful or at least an interesting read. Until then, keep it real, keep it fun, and don’t forget to romanticize life a little. It’s what keeps things exciting.
P.S. My phone decided to take an early retirement (with all my precious memories from Germany inside), so apologies for the slightly random photo choices. Let’s just call it an “artistic selection.
Joana is hosted by NaturKultur e.V. on our project co-funded by the European Union.
