Ytterjärna, Sweden. What is life like as a young person in today’s world? We asked around. Answers from Ida Paasen from the Netherlands, currently a participant of the Youth Initiative Program in Ytterjärna, Sweden.
What does “home” mean to you?
I grew up in a community and I think this has shaped a big part of the way I interact with the world. I love sharing life with others. Home, to me, means to feel connected; to feel connected to the land I live on, to nature, and to the people surrounding me. To me, home means to feel safe and grounded.
Who or what inspires you?
One person that will always inspire me is my mother. I admire her strength, and the loving way she takes care of the people surrounding her. She stands up for her loved ones and for what she believes is important in the world. Whether that is offering coffee to the workers on the street, organising the community to bring meals to a sick neighbour for a week, or baking her own sourdough bread. She reminds me that the joy of life lies in the little moments.
What has been your best mistake lately?
One year ago I decided to quit my studies in biodynamic agriculture, because I didn’t believe in myself. That decision brought me a lot of grief and reflection, but it also led me to the Youth Initiative Program. YIP has been a beautiful journey of meeting amazing people and connecting again to the fire of my heart, to the feeling of “Yes I can.”
What could you not live without?
Music. Both in joy and in sorrow, it’s always there to bring connection and consolation. Music is the underlying golden thread in my life that intertwines every memory and moment with each other.
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