Christine Hartmann : “Get out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to trade in your old certainties for a new adventure. “
Through my employer, I came into contact with Dynamisch Bureau. I was very unhappy in my work as a social worker and had become burnt out. After 30 years in this business, I was clearly ready for something new.
When I ended up at home, I had time to think about my work, life and future. I was at a crossroads in my life and asked myself: what can I do, what do I really want? With the help of my coach at Dynamisch Bureau, I started to investigate this further. My coach asked questions and listened well. She showed me a great deal of respect, which I found very pleasant.
During the coaching, it became increasingly clear where I wanted to go. I wanted to realise my dream, I had to change course! Making stained glass and doing odd jobs. That’s what makes me happy! I wanted to follow my heart and make my passion for creativity my work.
In my search, I found the website of De Klusvrouw. This is a company where you can be trained as a handyman and work under that flag. It just so happened that an open day was being organised. This I went to and came back home totally delighted.
Various courses such as tiling, replacing plumbing, levelling and laying floors, wallpapering, painting and all kinds of drilling techniques followed. I also obtained a safety certificate. All this together with women with a shared passion. It was very instructive and highly enjoyable. These women are now my colleagues who used to do something completely different, such as social work, physiotherapy or nursing. I now do things that I enjoy, together with 17 other handywomen throughout the Netherlands.
My advice to others who are in a similar situation? Follow your heart, do what makes you feel happy. And above all, remain true to yourself. Do not hesitate to think out of the box. Come out of your comfort zone and do not be afraid to trade in your old certainties for a new adventure. Make yourself happy, someone else will not!