How I found my way
At some point, I also realized that the path I had been following didn't feel right and coherent for me. It's hard to say exactly when I found my path... My inner voice, which set me on my path, first made itself heard louder than usual when I was 19, when I went to New Zealand for almost a year, very far away, to find out who I was and what I wanted in life. I worked there part of the time and traveled around the country, spending a lot of time in nature and sometimes in silence. Only when everything is quiet around you is there room for your own voice and not that of others. My path has opened up, even if it is still hidden by a lot of undergrowth and stones...
The curves and gradients
Back in Germany, I finally knew what to do next (for now), studied languages to become a teacher, worked in adult education for a few years, completed my traineeship, worked as a teacher in schools and gained a lot of experience working with people, on a pedagogical and (psychological) counseling level. That gave me a lot of pleasure and the direction was right. Nevertheless, there were still many obstacles and stumbling blocks such as self-doubt, losses and painful experiences, but in the end I grew from them. I wouldn't want to miss these darker experiences either, because they have brought me a long way...
The turning point
In January 2022, I realized that I wasn't in a good place in the school system and, even though I mostly enjoyed working with the pupils and colleagues, I missed the sense of purpose and perspective. I didn't want to carry on like that! The decision to leave a permanent and secure employment relationship and thus also to terminate my lifetime civil servant status was not easy at first and certainly not an overnight decision. I'm very happy that I made the decision for myself and my own future path, which feels one hundred percent right for me.
My path today
In addition to my previous experience as a teacher, I have completed almost two years of training as a certified psychological coach, in addition to several other workshops and seminars on psychology, mindfulness and personal development in recent years. My great strength, also due to my many years of experience as a state teacher and teacher at language schools, is to convey content and methods in such a way that you can master the language well and confidently, which also applies to the counseling work with my clients: "All well and good, what it says in the guidebook and what I have seen in guidebook videos, but how exactly do I do it now and how do I make it a good habit in my everyday life?"...and that's exactly where I come in as an expert in learning, teaching and counseling!
My paths abroad
I have traveled the world a lot and lived abroad for a period of time (New Zealand, England and Spain), so along the way I have met many different people and cultures and gained experiences. Travel, art, yoga, meditation, spirituality, reading, writing and lifelong learning, meeting people, being in nature, surfing the waves of the sea (and of life), a healthy lifestyle are other constant companions. There have already been some changes in my life, I have been working abroad and on the road as a "digital nomad" and expat, looking for a good balance and a "home away from home", traveling alone, which has given me a lot of encouragement and helped me move forward.
In the past and today
I know what the often complicated and sometimes difficult everyday life as a teacher feels like and I have also worked as a corporate employee and gained a lot of experience there. With all these experiences, I know that there is not just one way, but many ways to lead a fulfilling, satisfying life that suits you. My path doesn't just end with me, but continues by showing people new ways (ways of life and not the universal way of life!) and offering them the opportunity to go their own way, even if it is still somewhat hidden at the moment. Sometimes the journey is the destination on the journey of lifelong learning.
What is important to me
My Ways of Life
Station 1
Beginning of my journey to New Zealand, literally and figuratively...
Far away to come to me.
Station 2
Teacher training in English and German, 1st and 2nd state exams after teacher training, lots of professional experience in different areas and places, lots of travel (e.g. to Central America, Asia, in Europe):
Meaningful work is a must!
Station 3
Work as a teacher at various schools and lifetime employment (always "working" and did I really want that?), lots of further training, workshops in pedagogy and psychology, even more travel, even more self-discovery...
Oh, that's how it should feel!!!
Station 4
Quitting "Goodbye school!" (What a liberation), language teacher online, Spain, I almost ran a language school (was that my dream or not?), more travel, more experiences, healing, path of spirituality (India and Indonesia), training as a psychological counselor / life coach with certification...
That's how it feels right!!!
Station 5
Psychological coach and founder of Ways-of-Life:
Arrived and happy!
Get to know me
In a free 20-minute introductory call, we will talk about your coaching needs.
I am interested in who you are and where you want to go. We agree on a certain number of online coaching sessions (usually 5 to 10) to suit your concerns/goals, talk about my approach in general and how this might suit you and of course about a few formalities worth knowing