Monthly Review January 2024: Would you like a little more?

February 25, 2024 | Reviews

January 2024 was a busy month for me. Great encounters, an award from the Chancellor, and my first tattoo. Pretty much living by the motto: Can I have a little more? In this article, I'll take you on a journey through my January, reveal the central themes, what I've used my Self-Efficacy POWER for, and give you a brief overview of everything that has happened. 

Contents
Colorful Warsaw full of special moments
Awarded for special services by the Austrian Federal Chancellor
Democracy for the Psyche
I used my Self-Efficacy® for these topics in January
What else happened in January 2024
Outlook for February 2024

Colorful Warsaw full of special moments

Around Christmas, I decided to travel to Warsaw to attend a Samba Festival called "Samba Grzeje," organized by the local samba group. I also managed to get really cheap train tickets for this: Vienna - Warsaw is about 9-10 hours, there's a direct overnight train, and I paid €25 each way (seat in a coach). That went really well. Very relaxed journeys, low occupancy. What I had planned for the short tripFinally spending quality time with my dear friend Joanna again, drumming, dancing, celebrating, enjoying relaxed coffee house time, and seeing new and old acquaintances from the samba scene. This plan worked out, and I had a wonderful 6 days in Warsaw. My friend Joanna, who ran to meet me upon arrival in Warsaw with a laugh and open arms, wearing an incredibly colorful, thick sweater, to give me a long, tight hug. Such a beautiful joy of reunion <3. There was even more joy from reunions with various other participants from bands from Germany, whom I hadn't seen in years. And I met Joanna's dog, Ulka. We also became very good friends and cuddled a lot.

There were also some wonderful moments at the festival's opening night during the welcome reception. Among other things, the surprised and extremely joyous face and the subsequent beautiful hug from my dear friend Kylu from Berlin, who didn't know I would be there too and was there as a workshop leader. That evening there was also a Samba Circle I'm Dove with many more wonderful moments for me. In particular, I finally dared to just join in (otherwise, I was actually always too shy). I danced, sang, and laughed a lot, and Tamborim played :). After the festival weekend, I spontaneously joined the rehearsal of the local samba band "Rhythm Block" stopped by and immediately took away some new musical inspiration.

Apart from the Samba performances, e.g., on the beach as an escort for ice swimmers No, I wasn't in the water :/ and workshops There were more wonderful experiences and encounters. A highlight was, for example, translating from Rusalka Beach on the Vistula on a traditional Vistula flat-bottomed boat to the other side of the river, with many samba dancers on their way to a performance. Right after that, we went off with a small group before the performance to quietly toast my dear friend Kasia's birthday. I also spent a wonderful and relaxing time in my favorite cafe around the corner from my friend's apartment, and even made new acquaintances there. I already knew the cafe from a previous visit to Warsaw and have declared it a favorite cafe 😉 In Sady Cafe There is one of the best vegan breakfasts and really good mint tea. Excellent coffee too, but I'm not drinking that right now. I really enjoyed this slow-motion time in the cafe with its wonderful atmosphere. I was there alone several times this time too. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/cVQZimRwqzwQrAfM/

The absolute highlight - not just of Warsaw - was my first tattoo! Last year in Corfu, I spent a long time in the sea watching the sunset and moonrise. I christened this special moment my "Sun-Moon Baptism." You can read more about it in my Year in Review 2023 read. From this moment on, a symbol I've sketched repeatedly began to relax with time. A fusion of the moon goddess, the sun, and the sea. I did that Joanna Polish  It was shown, and she developed a wonderful design for a colorful tattoo from it. So, I booked the studio for Monday (1 day before my return trip) and that's how I got my first tattoo. A very special meaning for me, based on my own sketch and idea, designed and done by one of my dearest friends. She was incredibly considerate and loving as she accompanied me to my first tattoo. A truly special, empathetic tattoo artist and great artist. Honest recommendation! Her specialty: Colorful Dotwork. With this tattoo, I also got a promise to myself inked: That I will always stay true to myself, will absolutely not let anything get me down anymore, and will be free.

Awarded for special services by the Austrian Federal Chancellor

POV: I'm returning from a short trip to Warsaw. I'm on my way to an invitation from the Chancellor to conclude a project. Go home two hours later after fine conversations and a photo session with a gold award and certificate "with thanks and recognition for special services." So I didn't expect THAT. I mean, who expects that when you're simply having fun moderating and collaborating with other wonderful experts?

I received this award as part of a great 17-person moderation team that the wonderful Christine Hoffmann compiled for a very special project: the "Corona recovery process". This was carried out by the Federal Chancellery in cooperation with the Institute for Advanced Studies, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Statistics Austria and us moderators. Our task as moderators for the study section „Austria Speaks“ was to moderate focus groups with citizens in each federal state for one day, reflecting the full spectrum of possible attitudes, life experiences, and backgrounds. One of the largest social science projects conducted in Europe in 2023. A study that is unique across Europe to date: The examination of the pandemic with such scientific depth has not taken place anywhere else before. 

The outcome of each focus group: joint recommendations for politics, science, the media, and the public, as lessons learned from the pandemic. The central findings were in a Report summarized, which everyone can download. The collected data will also be incorporated into further research work.

I am particularly pleased with this appreciative recognition, as I received it during one of my favorite activities (moderation) and, in addition, I was able to participate in a participatory process that will also make a difference on a societal level. Beyond the fact that there were very special encounters and moments during all these focus groups that I was able to experience and I always enjoy cooperating with great colleagues. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this process and thank you for this very special recognition. You can also find out more about the award You can read more about this in the article. 

Democracy for the Psyche

In January, I also participated in the joint action #DemocracyForTheMind joined by professionals from the psychological field. The joint action by psychologists, therapists, coaches, consultants, occupational therapists, doctors, and social workers arose in response to the The "Secret Plan Against Germany" becoming known, involving the AfD and other high-ranking actors. The goal: To take a stand to protect the framework conditions for a healthy life and upbringing. 

We are people who work with people. We are against racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, hate, the stoking of fear, and all forms of discrimination. Therapy and counseling require the secure foundation of a liberal democratic basic order.

With my name and profession, I stand for non-negotiable human dignity, equal opportunity, equality, and democratic liberal values.

I take a stand against all forms of misanthropy and discrimination, against ableism, racism, antisemitism, queerphobia, and sexism – in the interest of our clients and our professions.

That I stand up for a liberal-democratic basic order is also protection for mental and social health.

Because not only we as a society, but also the well-being of every single person is massively threatened by current developments.

Freedom can only exist where there are no exceptions. Stand up for your freedom and your health.

On my Instagram profile Do you find many of the posts linked in my "Democracy" highlight.

 

I used my Self-Efficacy® for these topics in January

What else happened in January 2024

Relaxed start to the year with my dear Kira in the Eiffel
  • What's better than being in the same room with a favorite person, working, cooking, relaxing, and cuddling, and simply being able to be yourselves?.
Horse cuddling
  • on a farm in the Eifel. It was affected by floods due to heavy rain. My friend and I spontaneously helped a bit with drying everything out, especially the stable stalls. And of course, cuddling with the horses wasn't neglected either 🙂 
Film premiere „And Every Day in Love“
Blog article
  • I didn't publish a blog post in January. However, I wasn't idle. I've been diligently working on an epic year in review written, which then saw the light of day in February. 
Read books
Continuous learning mode
  • Workshop "Sleep restfully despite stress" at Bernadette Volbracht, Coaching for Modern Ayurveda and dear colleague from the blog community (highly recommended).
  • Samba Drum Workshop in Warsaw with Kyle 
  • Tried facial yoga, liked it, but still didn't stick with it 😉 
  • At "Tut gut!" internal team workshop with Natalia Ölsböck on the topic of zest for life (also highly recommended).
Topics on Social Media
Countries
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Poland
Braid length
  • 60 cm
Nails
  • Bunt - What else? 😉 

Outlook for February 2024

  • Drive to my place of power in Croatia
  • Continue searching for the perfect bus for me
  • Many exam and discussion session moderations
  • Getting puncturpiercings 
  • Blog Decade in The Content Society

Lorena Hoormann

Über die Autorin

Lorena Hoormann

Ich begleite Menschen und Teams dabei, ihre SelbstwirkKRAFT zu entfalten — als Trainerin, Coach und Lehrende. Meine Arbeit verbindet systemisches Denken mit ehrlicher Reflexion, damit Veränderung wirklich trägt.

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