Traveling by train, I am en route to Tampere to reunite with friends and engage in business matters simultaneously. I eagerly anticipate the prospect of serendipitous encounters with strangers along the way. It has come to my attention that such encounters invigorate me, as I am captivated by the unique narratives that unfold before me. Hence, I have made a deliberate choice to embrace the enriching experience of staying in a hostel during this journey, heightening my anticipation even further.

I have become increasingly interested in the well-being of others and have noticed that people often feel comfortable confiding in me about their struggles. While it can be challenging for some friends to open up, strangers seem to trust me easily, and I am humbled by this ability to connect. Last autumn, a colleague of mine warned me about the emotional toll that such encounters can take, but I am determined to continue listening and learning from others. I have since heard countless stories and struggles that far surpass my own.

Despite being comfortable with who I am, I find it challenging to adopt a different professional persona. On Saturday, I went to the playground with Ann-Sofie, Priska, and Alina, and we discussed this shared difficulty. We were both surprised by the mental effort required to “become” something else after dedicating 10-15 years to a particular role that has become deeply ingrained in our identities.

You see, I’ve been knee-deep in graphic designing for over a decade. And now, as I venture into the world of writing, it feels downright peculiar, yet oh-so-satisfying, to finally shout from the rooftops what I truly want to do for a living. It’s like discovering a hidden talent or realizing that I’ve been missing out on the joys of mac ‘n’ cheese for years. It’s strange, it’s exciting, and it’s just a tad bit mind-boggling.

So here I am, straddling the fence between my graphic designing past and my newfound passion for writing. It’s a juggling act that leaves me spinning more plates than a circus performer on a caffeine binge. But hey, life is meant to be an adventure, right? And if I can navigate the treacherous terrain of transforming my professional persona while keeping my sanity intact, then I’ll consider it a victory worth celebrating with a round of high-fives and a cartwheel or two.

Last week, I had the opportunity to engage in a discussion with Satu, an esteemed professional who holds a position within a company I am intimately acquainted with. Our initial encounter transpired at a distinguished gathering orchestrated by Investigo, a notable occasion that left a lasting impression. It is worth noting that our conversation was preceded by a series of cordial exchanges via email. To my delight, I discovered that Satu’s captivating persona transcended the written word, as she exuded an indescribable aura during our face-to-face interaction. It is this remarkable quality that enables me to remain more attuned to the present moment—an attribute I sincerely aspire to acquire.

During our conversation, I divulged my impending journey to Tampere scheduled for this week. In a gracious display of thoughtfulness, Satu kindly suggested that I explore a secondhand boutique renowned for its assortment of high-quality, branded attire. Inspired by this proposition, I have entertained the idea of accompanying my beloved niece on a subsequent visit to this place.

With these thoughts,
Be kind & don’t go changing,
x Heidi