I am back! I don't have a valid excuse for not posting over the past few weeks, but I'm here to catch you up on life and talk about the bittersweet busyness of summer. A lot of great things are happening, though it might be a bit too much at times. Give it a listen and let me know if you can relate.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you remember some of your many answers to that question when you were younger? Moral of this story, and therefore this episode, is that while I'm getting much closer, I'm still not entirely sure about the exact answer now. However, I'm here to tell you why it's actually a good thing and how, through hard work and open-mindedness, I'm convinced that you will create your dream job along the way.

No, I'm not here to brag about how good I'm feeling at the moment. Instead, I want to remind you that every struggle is worth it because — cheesy warning — where there is discomfort, there is growth.

This episode is just as straightforward as the title: a list of things, some more serious than others, that I have noticed recently should be wayyyy more normal and cause less perplexed reactions in people.

Taking a look back at the first quarter of the year and one thing really caught me off guard: emotions. I found myself feeling a lot more emotions, which also lead to shedding a lot more tears than what I'm used to (like, a lot more). However, amidst the emotional rollercoaster, I've realised that, cliché as it may sound, there's beauty in embracing our feelings, even the messy ones. While there are different reasons behind all these tears (lows and highs) my newfound emotional awareness has led to some deep conversations, increased vulnerability and a stronger sense of security, ultimately fostering stronger and more fulfilling connections with others. So, overall, it's been a pretty good turn around.

As the night falls and thoughts brew, I find myself questioning the emphasis often placed on working harder, but not necessarily better: Why does more challenging often equal more valuable? Why is are we constantly focused on outcomes? What are the dynamics behind it? How do societal norms, cultural expectations, social conditioning and comparison shape our perception of value and the choices we make? Are we slowly transitioning towards valuing personal fulfilment over external markers of success? Listen in and share your thoughts!

This week I am really just rambling about solo-dates and romanticising your life. I have been finding a lot of joy in doing things alone, from window shopping to solo breakfasts and dance parties at home, to going to the movies, leaving me very content with my own company. However, this got me thinking about the importance of prioritising me-time while maintaining healthy social connections. On top of that, a currently slower-paced life seems to make it easier to properly cherish the little things and appreciate the simplicity of everyday moments leading to greater self-awareness and fulfilment. Seriously though, how can performing to Rihanna with a ladle-mic give you such an endorphin-kick? Go try it if you haven't!

With this episode, I want to encourage you to put more effort into understanding others before drawing conclusions based solely on our own perspectives. Talking about why it's crucial to consider the “why” behind someone's words and actions, and how their experiences shape their actions, can be key to taking things less personally and fostering empathy in our relationships. Among navigating through insecurities, different communication styles, the power of giving people the benefit of the doubt, and seeking understanding ultimately creates deeper connections. So, for our own sake - Let's try to understand before we judge.

A short episode of me being surprisingly bothered by apparently not having “a thing” at the moment, trying to figure out why that is and the process of (re)discovering a unique personal interest. What are you passionate about? What brings out real excitement in you? And what is something you get real nerdy about? Or simply what do you all over your for-you page?

Navigating the fine line between thinking things through and overthinking can be tricky, right? Hear more about my recent experience and attempt to find a better balance between reflection and unnecessarily overanalysing stuff again and how it impacts our decision-making and understanding of ourselves. While it is important to be self aware, it is just as important to be able to enjoy the small moments in life without any head noise.

Diving deeper into the career related topics this episode is about navigating management styles and the impact of company culture. Not as dry as it might sound like, I promise! I find it quite interesting how personal differences can shape workplace dynamics and personalities match differently with various management approaches, creating a unique workplace experience for each individual as well as challenges for management to accommodate everyone's needs. Have you figured out what makes you thrive in a workplace?

What happens when you get me started talking on a good day ... Nearly an hour of sharing my recent experiences, thoughts and feelings on the changing dynamics in friendships, and the natural process of outgrowing old friendships while making new ones. And let's not forget how living in a different country can add layers of complexity and uncertainty to these friendships.

Success, much like beauty, is subjective and deeply personal. In this episode, I am looking beyond the conventional definition of success and explore its diverse meanings across individuals. From financial stability to making a difference in others' lives, there are many ways success is defined, based on personal values and desires. Learn why it matters to redefine success on a personal level, separate from external influences, reflect on your own definition of success and identify what truly matters to you in this pursuit of personal growth and fulfilment.

In this episode, we dive into the complexities of our inner dialogue and internal reflections, exploring how they shape our mindset and emotional resilience. I begin by sharing my own experiences with the effects of negative versus positive self-talk. The discussion continues with my current struggle to find balance between toughness and vulnerability in personal and professional settings, also while navigating societal expectations and gender norms. Lastly, by giving a list of examples I emphasize the importance of celebrating small wins for building and maintaining a positive mindset.  And don’t forget to keep smiling! It’s contagious…

Leveraging the power of connections, one cup of coffee at a time! Join me in a slightly caffeinated conversation about networking. If you were ever unsure about how to network and why networking will be a game-changer for your career - let me tell you. From LinkedIn to coffee chats to gaining industry insights and knowledge, in this episode, I talk about the benefits, different approaches, actionable tips for successful networking, and share personal anecdotes from my recent networking event experience where discomfort was quickly replaced with champagne.

In this week's episode, we dive into the topics of passion projects, side hustles, and toxic hustle culture, often glorified on social media. While I advocate for the fulfillment found in creative outlets, the toxicity of hustle culture often leaves you feeling not 'enough' when doing something simply because you enjoy it. Should productivity alone really be the goal in everything we do? Sharing my own experiences, I want to stress the significance of joy, the need for creative outlets, and the importance of having space for balance in our lives. My personal recommendation to you: You don’t always have to be productive; be creative!

From navigating the chaos to challenging expectations and finding learnings in unexpected situations. In this first episode of this career talk series, I share my experience of the initial stage of starting your professional career after graduating. While I have found a lot of joy in growth and new experiences I also talking about the challenges and recurring frustrations I have come across. Most important reminder: Embrace the process because just 5 years from now you could find yourself at a point you haven't even dared to imagine today! Subscribe on Spotify and go follow @guesswhat_pod on Instagram and make sure to share your experience in the comments or via dm!

Kicking off the podcast journey in 2024, a year of uncertainty and room for surprises. From the spontaneity of New Year's reflections to embracing a more carefree “Why not?" attitude, I’ll take you along navigating through the current unpredictability of life. Talking about my intentions for the podcast this episode sets the tone for candid conversations about life in your twenties through sharing my thoughts and personal experiences. Go follow @guesswhat_pod on Instagram and make sure to comment your Ins and Outs for this year!