A New Chapter
As many of you know, the last year was full of adventure.
I started the education to become a natureguide and I knew from the start it would be a year full of challenges, fun and the unique opportunity to grow more knowledgeable and closer to nature in new ways.
Even though I had already been living so much closer to nature in Sweden than I ever had in Germany, I still felt like there were things I wanted to understand more deeply and gain a better understanding of. Like the outdoorlifestyle that I admired and dreaded at the same time. Never before had I managed to get a good night’s sleep in a tent or under the free sky. I had either felt cold or uncomfortable or scared of the sounds I wasn’t used to. Knowing that we would get to spend several outdoor nights each months was the biggest challenge I was facing.
And I managed. I learned that sounds can’t scare or distract you, if you don’t hear them, so I always have earplugs with me (I find the reusable silicone ones from Loop just amazing, as they even come in their own tiny case that easily fits in any backpack and they have different exchangeable sizes to choose from for your earpieces. I slept much better after starting to use them). I also learned that it takes me 2 layers of clothing, a wool underlayer and a fleece second layer (even though the most common recommendation is only a woolen underlayer) as well as loose and thick woolen socks and down shorts to be warm at night inside my 2 layered winter sleeping bags and a woolen liner, combined with a nalgene water bottle (not sponsored) filled to the brim with boiling water. This has kept me warm at up to -17°C and I am sure I could stay warm at even colder temperatures. The backside to this is that it’s several kilos to bear around only for warmth, not even considering water and food as well as a bearable stove and fuel for it. One of our main mottos during the education was “bear heavy, become strong” and I guess I am super strong now, at least measured on the things I carried!
I also learned how much it impacts me to not have enough fluid, because I get cold even easier (yes, that’s actually possible) so I learned to drink lots of water in order to stay warm.
The list goes on and on, so instead of telling you more about what I learned with words, see some pictures below, to get an idea on what the last year has looked like for me.
After getting certified, the next challenge already waited for me.
The day we got our certificates as natureguides, I got ready to start my own company. Bringing the beauty of the Swedish nature closer to visitors and helping them create unique memories and experiences has been a deep longing of mine ever since I have moved to Sweden. Nothing filled me with more joy than taking my friends and family to my favorite places when they visited or telling them all the amazing things I had learned about nature, seasons, the Swedish history and culture. Now I am building my company on sharing this with any visitor in this area. After having to wait several weeks for authorities to work through my registration I was finally ready to start. I am happy about the collaborations I have in the next village with different owners of places to stay. An airbnb as well as a campsite with lots of cottages and camping pitches, that offers space and even the perfect place for the shorter activities and workshops I am offering.
With autumn around the corner…
…this year’s main season is almost over. But I plan to offer activities all year round, even in winter for those who are interested and I got so many impressions and ideas so that I have plenty to prepare for the next summers to come! For now one of the things I plan on doing is changing up my websites. Instead of having my blog and photography website separate, I want to merge them together and in the long run even combine them with my Activity Company, even though that is going to take a little while longer.
As I often am, I am once again excited about the change that lies ahead and even more news can be told, but they can wait until another time.
Until then, I wish you all the best,
Ina
