I grew up living someone else’s plan. A serious job. An office. A career ladder. No space for creativity. I tried to fit in for a long time. But inside I felt that this was not my life. When I learned about European Solidarity Corps programme, it became a chance to breathe out and try a path where I can be myself. I can work creatively and do something good for people.
I have been in the project for four months now. I can say that creativity can be real work. My daily routine here is writing articles. Taking photos. Joining local events. Organizing activities. It sounds simple but for me it was a big step. For the first time I am in a place where people make podcasts. They film videos. They work in the social field. They help others express themselves and enjoy life.
The most important thing is that I see that our work matters. When local people join our events. When they ask questions. When they smile and come back again. It feels like I am not just making content. I am creating something that brings people together.
I fought my perfectionism and procrastination. Now I feel free. I am preparing a crochet workshop. The technique is not perfect and it helps people fight perfectionism. It helped me too.
A big part of the project is conscious consumption. We do not buy new yarn. We take sweaters from second hand shops and unravel them. It is a small but important step against fast fashion culture. This culture tells us that everything must be new and perfect and easy to replace. I want to show that value can be in something else. In the process. In the story. In the hands that create.
ESC is not only volunteering for me. It is a chance to step out of a system that did not fit me. It helped me see that the world is bigger. Creativity is not a weakness. It is a strength. Creative people can bring as much good to society as the most serious professions. Sometimes you just need to be in the right place to finally hear yourself.
