Aleksandra Rogala: “In nature, we encountered many situations where I was mirrored and could learn a lot about myself. My coach brought me back into the light.”

Through the Employee Insurances Implementing Agency (UWV), I came into contact with Dynamisch Bureau for a course Becoming fit for Work. At the matching interview, I heard from a coach who mainly coached while walking and worked a lot with nature. I was actually hooked right away and meeting my coach confirmed this. Our contact was nice, warm and personal. I felt, I was being understood and heard. Which allowed me to be myself very quickly and share a lot about my situation. That openness was well received and I got it back. The relationship felt very equal and supportive.

My situation at that time was far from ideal. Due to a prolonged depression, I could not bring much overview and structure to my day, let alone look for work and go to work. I was in a tangle with myself and that was affecting all areas of my life. I saw fewer people, had little appetite and if I managed to get out of bed, it was the success of the day. I no longer knew who I really was and what really made me happy.

The efforts I had already made before the course were mainly many conversations with a psychologist and participation in various groups within the mental health services. I also made an effort to do some things in a structured way. This sometimes worked better than at other times. In itself, at one point I had been given quite a lot of tools to start something, but taking that first step remained difficult.

It was nice to know that in addition to my coach there were also ‘auxiliary troops’ from Dynamisch Bureau itself. For instance, I attended a Job connection once and learnt a lot from fellow coachees about their careers and different professions. The guidance from Dynamisch Bureau has really brought me further in both work and my private life.

My situation has improved a lot now. I recently started working in a new industry, moving from the hospitality industry to childcare. Besides a new job, I also started training as a specialised pedagogical assistant.

All this requires a lot of time management and perseverance. For both aspects, I got a lot of handles during my coaching, as a result of which I can now handle everything a lot more clearly and not lose myself again. I have regularity and structure in my life again, something I had been looking for for a long time. I also feel a lot better about myself because I am now doing what makes me happy: taking care of and accompanying children, where I can be a child myself for a while ☺.

What really resonated with me was walking in nature. I am a sensitive person which made me feel more grounded and connected in nature. In nature, we encountered many situations where I was mirrored and could learn a lot about myself and my ways of doing things. In addition to the nearest nature and connecting with it, my coach often deployed beautiful exercises and cards to help me get closer to the cause or feeling I was struggling with at the time. My coach brought me back into the spotlight and gave me self-confidence.

What I would advise others is to choose a coach who walks, and works with nature. Someone who thinks along with you and looks at your situation and supports you is the best thing I could have wished for myself during my process. To have set appointments and to go out the door to walk in the process instead of having another conversation inside has brought me so much.

In addition, explore what your talent is and what you are good at, but most of all what you enjoy. Only then you can find a suitable occupation that really keeps you going and motivates you to get up in the morning. Work should enrich your life, not exhaust you!

In the future, I hope to complete my education and have a nice cooperation with my employer for a long time to come. I hope to learn many more things about myself and from others. In addition, I would like to eventually build on my career and eventually start my own business.

Life always gives you presents, it is up to yourself to see it that way and unwrap them attentively.