It’s been two years since the last time I summarised my year and shared with you some of the work I’ve done and the things I’ve learned. What has happened since then? Well, I quit my full-time job with a fixed contract, moved to Jordan and worked for UNHCR as their Environment Officer. Got married during my holiday break and went to Costa Rica and Mexico for three months for our honeymoon. I also joined Sweden’s largest Animal Rights organisation as a board member, quit some volunteering work that didn’t work out and spent more time going into alternative economics again. I’m back blogging at Tillväxtparadigmet. I can probably say that a third of this year has not been devoted to work but rather to personal development or you could call it life in general.
When I got back this spring I didn’t know what to do. I felt that after 5 years in the humanitarian sector I was longing for long-term sustainable development projects. I felt that environmental management was needed in the world but wouldn’t provide the rapid change the world so desperately needs. At the same time, I felt that I was more and more drifting away from the environmental movement due to a big part of it working with shaming and separation. My inner journey had changed my values and one of my core values is to work for unity and community rather than a “we-and-them” mentality. I wanted to keep on working for planet Earth and its people, but I felt that big changes would never happen if we don’t address the inner sustainability or the overall socio-economic system we live in. In other words, I wanted to find ways to make a difference outside the box and the norms.
What lead me to start my own business?
I didn’t dream of becoming an entrepreneur or a business person. The reason why I didn’t seek a full-time job was that I had a hard time finding a job that would provide me with the possibility to work and live in the way I wanted. So what was it that I was longing for?
Flexibility to work from anywhere at any time
Ability to work in a diversity of fields and sectors with sustainable development
The possibility to find projects and settings that will lead to significant impact
Spending my working hours with people I admire, and care about and that inspires me
Ability to work on my passion projects such as launching my own course and finishing my book.
You might find some of these wishes typical for my generation (Millennial) but what you also see is someone asking herself what she is going to do with her time here on planet earth. You’re reading a text from someone who dares to jump off the safe path in order to chase her dreams. Someone who believes that anything is possible as long as you are willing to work to get it. Someone that needs flexibility, challenges and meetings with interesting people to thrive.
I turned 33 years old this year, I have a suitable education, plenty of experience, no children or anything that takes my time and a lot of energy and power to add value and be of service to others. Why shouldn’t I jump off the safe road in order to do the things I believe in?
my businesses
Okay, in April and May it was time to get professional. I rebuilt my website, took care of the administrational side of running a business, started networking and worked on my strategy. What is it I really want to do? I had all the time but no plan, so the plan somehow had to develop while doing the journey. Summer came and after 6 months without a salary, of course, my anxiety started to increase, but I stayed true to my mission and my purpose to make this world a sustainable place my way. Autumn came and the clients with it. I've been able to help organisations with their sustainability strategy, I’ve been holding seminars at universities, I’ve been holding a course for environmental work in humanitarian settings and I’ve been working with a foundation that transforms global food systems, among other things. In December I took out a salary, had a look at my strategy and felt that I’m getting closer and closer to seeing how my time on this planet can be a force of good. My first semester as a full-time consultant, speaker and strategies has started well.
interviews, Podcasts and seminars
There are not many things in life that I enjoy more than public speaking and telling stories. While others might faint, I feel alive, at peace and harmonious as soon as someone put a mic or a camera close to my face. I’m truly forever grateful to all of you who have invited me to share my story. But also for the collaborations done where we have been sending good messages to the world together. Thank you! Here comes a selection:
UNDP campaign #DearWorldLeaders - about COP25
Greenpeace Circular Monday Campaign - How to become a circulent? (SV)
Alternative Economy Podcast - about welfare measures beyond GDP (SV)
Nordic Natural Beauty Podcast - about sustainable fashion and lifestyle
My own seminar about my journey from Depression to Happiness
If you want to be invited to my own seminars, you can sign up for my newsletter!
a sustainable closet
It’s unbelievable that something that started as a blog due to my personal interest in sustainable fashion and willingness to help others, has become a professional business. This spring I had the opportunity to revisit the business model and our business strategy to make sure that we are spending time on the right things. This was complemented by a market analysis where several people gave their feedback on the challenges they’re facing to live and consume more sustainably when it comes to clothes. During the summer and the spring, all the content produced had those people’s perspectives in mind - how can we make people’s sustainable closet journey more fun and inclusive? This year we have:
Published 94 articles on sustainable fashion
Made 106 interviews with people, brands and stores leading the change
Grown our platform with a 155% increase in visits
An average of 6000 visitors per month have read our content
Published our own editorials- Overshoot Day and Pre-loved Disco
Mapped and published five more second-hand city store guides
Had several guest bloggers, interns and rewarding collaborations with other change-makers for a more sustainable fashion scene
Launched our paid partnership deals for the long-term economic sustainability of the business
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academic
This year I finished my course in circular textile and AI for beginners and during the autumn I’ve been studying political history in Sweden. I highly recommend the course. It’s in Swedish and free for Swedish citizens through Linnaeus University.
Personal development
What can I say? This year has truly been about my inner journey. To separate WHAT I DO from WHO I AM. The thing about being self-employed is that no one is going to know your value except you. No one is going to confirm, approve or applaud your efforts except you. People won’t reach out because they don’t know what you can do, it is your job to explain in what ways you can serve. It has been a true challenge to have so many days and so much time just for me, some of you may dream of it, but I’ve been truly struggling with not having a proper setting to contribute to on a daily basis, to only work for myself when the only thing I want is to help. I have practised staying grateful for what I have, letting go of financial security and over and over again developing a belief in myself and my purpose. You see others being promoted and getting rewards, while you’re sitting there trying to figure out how to create some graphics in Canva for your upcoming seminar nobody have heard about. It is such a humbling journey. And regardless of where it takes me, I have chosen myself and my way of making this world a better place. Honestly, this year has been such a good practice for life and I’m forever grateful that I dared to do it.
what have i learned?
Everyone matters and treat them accordingly - it has been clear to me that I don’t want to treat others based on what they can give me. I don’t want to be that person. I want to be ready to learn, smile and appreciate every one. Regardless of who they are, we all have a unique set of values and experiences that we can give to the world.
Don’t let fear of judgement stop you - I can’t tell you how many times I’m not talking about sustainability since I don’t live a perfect “sustainable” life. This year has convinced me more than ever that we need to stop shaming people and raise our perspective and make the environmental movement more inclusive if we truly want change.
Respect people’s time and you are respected - I have worked a lot on this one. To always be on time regardless of who it is. I truly appreciate someone sharing their time with me, time is the only thing we have and I want to make it count.
It is wise to have a plan before starting your own business - I didn’t and I hadn’t saved up for it either. Just a recommendation to anyone who wants to be self-employed. Do some preparations before you start.
Always give and support but know your value - it is strange how sustainability doesn’t really seem to have any economic value. Like the knowledge and the insights are supposed to be free. I always believed in being generous and I think we need a movement where we support one another. But if I devote all my time to charity, I can’t pay my bills, which I don’t find sustainable at all. I know what value I bring to the companies and organisations I work for and it’s not free.
Impact with the right intention is more important than success. Honestly, I don’t care if you’re super successful, have an amazing business, a well-known brand, a popular podcast or whatever. If you’re not a nice person who finds yourself being more important than others, I’m not interested. I’m interested in intention. What is that you have to give to the world? What is your purpose?
There are so many good people out there doing amazing things. This year I’ve been networking and establishing contact with so many amazing individuals. Every time I see people doing good for the world and living their purpose, it makes me smile. Thanks to all of you whom I happened to cross paths with this year.
Graphical design! Not only can I build websites and produce content but this year I can also call myself a graphic designer. Whatever you see, it is my own work.
Spanish and Latino dance! These are two dreams of mine and finally, I practice salsa and bachata on a regular basis. I also have spent 10 minutes every day for the last six months learning Spanish!
What am I looking forward to in 2023?
To actually finish and publish my book about my journey out from depression
To launch my course for individuals seeking to improve their well-being and be of more service in the world
To keep on working with some clients and find new settings to contribute to
To grow A Sustainable Closet further
To my upcoming seminars and well-being/sustainability guides that I will launch this year
For me and my husband to have our first retreat based on inner and outer sustainability
To get back to science and research on alternative economics
A secret project that is my dream to do, hopefully, this year it will happen!
I’m looking forward to travelling more, enjoying more, laughing more and helping people and this planet more. I’m so excited to find people and projects where we truly can make a difference together!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!