This is me

.

I am learning
to follow the cycles
of death and birth
.

I am peeling off
layers

years

generations
.

I am putting together
puzzle pieces

.
unlearning
rewilding
finding the beauty in the uncomfortable
in the pain

.

I stand here

naked

free

a little child

an old soul

a fierce wild woman

a witch

.

my heart wide open

spreading love

and warmth

.

learning

teaching

dance

play

connection

.

.

.

just be and love and free

.

---

I was born in 1987 in a country that soon ceased to exist. I continued growing up right there — in north-east Germany. I went to school, then to the next one, to an additional one and finished my A-Level with a specialization in psychology. I went on to university and studied English, Biology and primary school teaching. I wasn’t very passionate about what I did but you have to do something, right? And somehow I was lucky (or quite clever) and never had to do much to be pretty good.
After a chubby and uncoordinated childhood I developed a love for volleyball in my teenage times, which became the center of my life for some years. Later I started running, later I learned to enjoy running. I did a few 10k runs (which I was never properly prepared for). I embarassed myself while becoming a sports teacher for little children and still made it (or maybe because I did). And then — when a door in volleyball closed I opened another one — triathlon.
During all this I had long term, quite save and quite regular relationships.

In 2010 I went to New Zealand and caught fire. The country mesmerized me with its diversity and breath-taking beauty, with its slowness and happy, open people. I felt at home more than I had before.

Back in Germany I fell in a bit of a hole and at the same time a new passion was born. I wanted more — travelling, hiking, the beauty of nature.

I travelled my home country and got to know Lübeck, Potsdam, Leipzig, München, Heidelberg and Hamburg. I went to Greece and the Netherlands.
In 2012 an American surfed my couch and we became a couple for the five following years. Many flights, many difficulties, a lot of wonderful moments, many layers . . .

In 2013 I finished university and in 2015 I was a fully qualified teacher. I had jumped many, many hurdles and shed many layers along the way. Finally, (mostly) free from being evaluated I could have a closer look at who I was and wanted to be instead of who I had to be. I found love and warmth. I also realized how much I didn’t like being inside all day, teaching children things because a certain document said so, getting up before 6, giving grades . . . I am forever grateful for the things I learned, the path I chose and the doors it opened and opens. In 2017 I finished my limited contract (originally to go to the USA), took the money I had saved and left to travel. In the back of my head the idea to explore Europe and myself, my creativity and other ways of making a living.

I started on a little Greek island, working with an endangered horse breed. There I met a dog and fell in love. Raki has accompanied me since. And together we have been around. Physically and mentally, freeing ourselves, healing . . .

Now I am here, a nomad on a journey with my van and my dog. Standing proud and strong, an artist, a teacher, creating what feels good.