Back to nature - my personal path

Photo: Maren Richter Photography

At the beginning of the 2000s, I was working in a world where it was still rather unusual to pay attention to nature, animal welfare or environmental protection. The fact that I was already a vegetarian back then or that I liked to shop in small organic stores was considered rather exotic. And anyone who came to the board meeting by bike was not necessarily looked at approvingly, but rather asked whether the car was broken. I didn't question this at all and, at least professionally, I went along with the wave of capitalism.

I spent an incredible amount of time in nature as a child. We lived right next to vast fields and I loved being outside or in the stables. When I entered professional life and climbed the supposed career ladder, I distanced myself from nature and found myself in uncomfortable high heels and tight outfits in so-called business life. I remember racing to a trade fair with customers in 1st class on the ICE on the way to Cologne. It was all about stakeholder value, customers and corporate identity. But outside, there was the vastness. Endless rapeseed fields passed me by with the blue sky shining over them and I asked myself “What the hell am I doing here?” I wanted to be out there and feel at one with nature again. To walk through the fields and shake off everything that was confining me.

It took a few more years before I actually sold my agency and got out of this higher-faster-further life. Since then, nature has come back into my life bit by bit. From an increasing inner resistance to everything artificial. On a small, very personal level, such as using unprocessed food, natural cosmetics, clothing made from natural materials, acquiring knowledge about the effects of plants and herbs or gardening. And without any claim to perfection, but with curiosity and fun in discovering and learning.

And professionally, too. It all started in 2008 with drawing nature motifs and led me to my current job as an atmosphere designer. It's not just about dealing with nature professionally, but about choosing a profession that suits your nature and personality. For example, I love creating harmony. Back then as a communications consultant between people, today in the design of exteriors, interiors and object.

I believe that every person has talents and abilities that are very special. That doesn't necessarily mean becoming president or a pop star. It's much more about the little pieces of the puzzle that the world needs to become a little bit better. It sounds a bit dramatic, but it's true.

I've always been fascinated by people who have done something with passion and heart and soul. Their eyes light up when they talk about their work and immerse themselves in it until the result is perfect. Whether it's a carpenter who works for days on a piece of furniture until it's ready for the customer with a soft sanded finish and the scent of beeswax. A teacher who speaks with kindness and warmth about even the wildest of her students. Or the hotelier of a small country hotel, who looks at each room again with attention to detail before the next guests arrive, straightens the corners of the gleaming white bed linen and places fresh flowers on the table.

And so, after selling my agency back then, my professional goal was no longer to do ‘big business,’ but to find my passion, get there and stay there.

This development took a few years. Years of learning, further education and then ‘trusting myself’. Today I can say: it is a gift to go into new projects every day with anticipation and to bring joy to other people with what you create.

Everyone has to find their own way. Or rather: is allowed to find their own way. We are all naturally bound by certain conditions, such as financial possibilities, access to education, family obligations, etc. But I wish for every person that there is enough freedom within these boundaries to discover and develop their own nature. Whether at 20, 50 or 75. I know from my own experience: it's worth it :-)