Extraordinary people from the Pott
- Journalism International
- Aug 25, 2024
- 22 min read
Updated: Nov 28, 2024
The legacy of the “others”
The vegan utilitarian scene jewelry designer from Duisburg
>>You can like it, you can leave it<<,
a quote that accompanies Sara Bischoff. She draws parallels to her own life:
“Be yourself, someone always thinks you suck anyway! This reflects that. […] Entweder ihr findet cool was ich mache, aber ist auch völlig ok, wenn ihr mich doof findet. Ich kann nicht allen gefallen und ich muss daran arbeiten, dass ich das auch nicht möchte.“ Kanonisch hierfür das Lied Neider machen Leute der deutschen Band Jennifer Rostock.
Berlin scene culture in the Ruhr area
Born in the Ruhr area and living here ever since – 36-year-old Sara Bischoff speaks about herself with a bright smile, but it quickly becomes clear that this is a rather bold self-reflection.
"Officially, I was born in Duisburg, but I grew up in Moers—for the first 23 years. Then I moved to Duisburg, and since then, I’ve been switching between a few neighborhoods here."
JI: "You told me that many people think you're from Berlin?"
Sara: "Yes, actually. But I have no idea why. I'm often in Berlin, and a part of my heart is there—it's probably because of the things I do. That's probably why people think that, because there are so many people there who are naturally interested in this kind of fashion, and I would say it's very 'in' there."
JI: "Would you say that you're maybe a bit too 'out there' or too trendy for the Ruhr area?"
Sara: „ […] For me, my appearance is normal, and many of my friends are also heavily tattooed. A very good friend of mine—Lisa—is also heavily tattooed. She has a studio. For me, it's normal, and it's hard for me to judge from someone else's perspective. So, I would say it's fine, but my parents probably don't like it, yeah." Sara laughs.
I was sitting across from Sara during our conversation. She later confided in me that she was nervous and didn't always know how to respond right away. But that made the conversation even more authentic. We continued talking.
JI: „You have green hair, you're tattooed, you wear very striking jewelry […] and I think that from the outside, this might seem colorful and completely different to many people, which could make them think you're from a big city. But that's part of who you are, and I believe it's also the aspect that makes you and your business stand out."
Sara: "That could very well be. […] I think that’s one of the reasons why I probably feel comfortable in Berlin. There, I’m not immediately stared at like I am here. But I have to say, of course I like how I look, but on some days when I’m not feeling so great, I sometimes think, 'I actually don’t want to be looked at right now, and I don’t want to stand out.' That’s a big, big discrepancy. But I definitely want to look the way I do, yes."
The Path to Your Own Happiness
During a preliminary conversation, it became clear that Sara has a profoundly strong personality. This led us from discussing her self-perception to exploring a philosophical path.
JI: "How would you describe yourself?"
Sara laughs: "I would describe myself as someone who, […] I know I appear very confident outwardly, but I know that I’m not. […] I think I seem strong, but I’m actually very fragile and I take things to heart a lot. I think a lot about who I am and what I do."
JI: "Those were very strong words. You’re definitely a person with a big heart; it’s noticeable."
Sara smiles, visibly touched but slightly embarrassed. She confides that she finds it hard to accept compliments.
JI: "Let's move on to a special topic: How would you define happiness for yourself?"
Sara: "That's an interesting question, and I've been thinking about it a lot lately because my parents often ask me if I'm happy. I believe there is a difference between being happy and being content. And I think I'm happy when I can live and work healthily, just like I am now. I'm super happy in my relationship, and I'm super happy with my small business—how we live.
"There is a difference between being happy and being content. |
I don't think I'll ever be content, because I believe that if I were content, I would lose my drive. I think I'll always have ideas that I need to pursue—just ideas in my head about where I want to go, what I want to try, and what experiences I want to have. If those didn't exist and I were to say that I’m a hundred percent content, I think I’d feel empty."
JI: "Would you say that happiness can be more equated with inner contentment and interpersonal satisfaction, rather than financial wealth?"
Sara: "Absolutely! […] My goal is not to become rich but to live and work happily. And if that means earning less but being truly happy and healthy—both physically and mentally, though that can be a bit challenging—then that's my goal! That means happiness to me: living healthily!"
Career perspective end
JI:"What did your career path look like before the current situation?"
Sara: „At some point, I dropped out of high school and was quite aimless. I didn't know what to do or what to study, so I went to a vocational college and completed my advanced technical college entrance qualification. I did very well—in design—and then went on to study at Hochschule Niederrhein in Krefeld, where I studied Communication Design. During my studies, I met my first boss, who brought me into the company. We were a small team of three, very close-knit, more like friends. At some point, I ran out of time to continue studying and kept putting it off. I started several bachelor's theses, but it was always too much. […] After four, four and a half years, I had a burnout and moved to another company in Essen as a project manager, still with the thought in the back of my mind that I was still enrolled and needed to write my thesis. It was there that I realized, 'I will no longer work in graphics.' […] I then decided to withdraw from the university without a degree. It wasn't an easy step for me because I always thought,
“ Who will take you without a degree? |
>>You can't just take away the experience I've gained." […] Since the burnout, I've lacked a perspective. I haven’t felt comfortable in any company for various reasons—too many demands, not being good enough, having to present a facade that I don’t have and having to pretend […]—so I changed jobs and was employed part-time as a marketing consultant at a Berlin startup before founding LUNENOIR. But I also realized that every minute I spent working for others not only didn’t make me happy, it made me unhappy. I was still missing a sense of purpose. Since the burnout, I completely lacked a sense of meaning in working for others. There was no longer any passion behind it. Then I became ill. I struggled with depression for a long time, and when I took sick leave and wanted to go to a day clinic, I was terminated. […] I was encouraged to give it a try, to start my own business and do what makes me happy, and to try making it a full-time career, not just a side business."
JI: "You told me last time that you wanted to study psychology. Would you have preferred to take that path, or, looking back, do you think everything happened the way it was supposed to?"
Sara: "Absolutely! I would always say that everything happened the way it was supposed to. I also believe that everything I've experienced is for a reason. Just the fact that I’ve learned from it, and maybe if I hadn't gone through this, I wouldn't have started what I have now. […] Psychology was something I was interested in back when I was struggling in high school with the question, 'What should I study?' […]. But I quickly abandoned that idea. However, it's a topic I find interesting, especially since I deal a lot with my own 'issues.'"
Emergency Brake before the Ver-Dark Tunnel
Throughout her career, Sara accumulated many experiences—both professional and personal. Over the years, she developed burnout and a neurotic form of depression. During the entire interview, Sara appeared very strong to me and was able and willing to speak openly about all topics.
JI: "When did you make the firm decision that you were going to start this company overnight?"
Sara: "That was definitely after I was terminated. That was the turning point. I should add that I had already registered as a sole proprietor about six months earlier. I had been doing that kind of on the side, and when I was fired, after two days of feeling really down and having no perspective, and as someone who values security and no longer had a job, that’s when it clicked. […] >>If not now, then when?<<. So now I´ve already laid the groundwork, I´ve been doing this for a while and have built a community, I´m trying it full-time now. We`ll see. The termination, when I got sic, was my reason. Just out of principle,
because I thought it was really awful."
JI: "Almost as a small act of defiance. It seems you want to lead by example and show others that if they have a dream, they should just go for it."
Sara: "Absolutely! And I can understand how difficult it is. How hard it is to need security and what to do if things don’t work out. It’s just so much work. If I can reach even one person who is in a situation where things have been going badly for years and no longer sees the point, then my goal is already achieved. I can say, 'Change things, even if you move to the next company where things aren’t optimal, at least you tried, and then you can always look for something else.' I know it’s not easy, it’s always easier said than done, and there are many other factors involved, like disappointing people and friendships—things I've experienced. But still, as an employee, you are just that—an employee. Try it, you only have this one life. Keep trying."
JI: "Would you have wished to be treated differently by your boss or colleagues when you were terminated, or to be offered other opportunities?"
Sara: "In hindsight, no. I have to differentiate—my colleagues were amazing! They all reached out to me personally. I worked remotely, so I didn’t know them personally. I did know my boss because we met once when I was in Berlin. […] Theoretically, I would have liked things to be different, but it also showed me once again that you're not friends with your boss. Even if he’s a 'startup guy,' because startups are always seen as young and hip, and we’re all on first-name terms with a cool connection. No, it’s an employment relationship, and when a decision is made, that decision is made. It doesn’t matter how well you get along. [...]"
" Because startups are always so young and hip. |
JI: "People often say that colleagues are like a second family because you spend a large part of the day with them. Would you say it can quickly become too friendly, too familial?" Even as I was finishing my question, Sara began to laugh.
Sara: "Yes. I can definitely say YES to that! And I have experienced it very, very strongly. On one hand, it’s like, 'We’re a family, and if you apply elsewhere, you’re not loyal anymore and we’ll treat you like an outcast.' So if a company always says, 'We’re a family,' I always say, run. It's not good because it puts a lot of pressure on you. When you’re sick, who does the work? My 'friends' suffer, not 'Well, if I’m sick, my boss has to find someone else.' No, it’s 'But these are my friends, I can’t let them down. So I’ll go to work even if I’m sick.' I think that’s a big problem. I don’t know how it is in other companies, but in the advertising industry, it has always been this way, and I’ve had that experience. When things get too close, you’re pushed into a responsibility. The responsibility of your boss gets transferred onto you. You’re then responsible for making sure the work gets done even if you’re sick."
JI: "Your colleagues supported you greatly during that time, especially emotionally. However, your boss was a bit different in this regard?"
Sara: "My boss was definitely a businessman in that regard. […] He said, 'I know it’s a tough time right now, but we made a decision,' and it was very strict. 'So, I know this is unfortunate, but we have to make a decision, and this is how it’s going to be.' It was very cold and no longer the relaxed, 'Oh, everything is super cool here' attitude. Now it was all about economic considerations, and you’re out."“
JI: "How did you perceive yourself as you were approaching burnout, and also after you had already experienced it?"
Sara: "Not at all. […] I distanced myself more and more. I increasingly lost my sense of purpose, was open about having suicidal thoughts almost every day because I didn't know who I was, where I wanted to go, and the company I had been with for four and a half years, from 'We’re a team of three' to 'We grew very quickly.' I had brought in good friends, with whom I am still friends, and they also became ill over time. Everyone was struggling, and it affected me deeply. On one hand, I knew it wasn’t good, and on the other hand, I thought, 'What else can I do? This is all I have.' Plus, I was being told, 'Who else would want you?' or 'You’re not enough. Well, you can’t do that much.' When all of that comes together, you feel empty. Burnout is a depression—a major depression—and you lose the sense of meaning in the things you do every day. And when you’re disappointed by a company that’s essentially your life because you work 24/7, you end up feeling like you have almost nothing left, and you don’t really perceive yourself anymore."
JI: "How do you think your peers perceived you?"
Sara: "Others definitely noticed that things were getting worse for me. They saw me starting to rebel, to set boundaries—though that never really worked out. And that I was increasingly withdrawing and no longer willing to do things. But I also talked to my friends about it. These were truly friends I had before, whom I brought into the company. They didn’t have issues with boundaries; they managed that from the beginning, and I didn’t."
Since Sara’s well-being is very important to me, I asked her how she felt after sharing her experiences up to that point. For Sara, it is both good and important to be able to openly discuss her experiences. Her social media community sees the real Sara, "as she is." If she’s not feeling well, she also shares that on her company's LUNENOIR account.
Breaking Free from the Unhappy Hamster Wheel
JI: "You mentioned earlier that you don't see financial wealth as primary happiness and that it's not your main goal. Where do you want to take what you're currently building? What is your main goal with LUNENOIR?"
Sara: "My main goal is the experience itself, I believe. I should also add that when I talk about wealth, I mean
having more money than I need. Of course, I can afford my vacations, and I have a nice apartment. Money is important, especially when you don't have any or when people can barely afford food. That's not what I'm talking about. I mean just having more than I need. I’d rather have less and have my minimum but be happy.
To get back to my goal: I’m doing custom work, and attending a trade show is part of that. I’ve gained that experience. This means my income goes back into buying materials, developing other ideas, and maybe even stepping outside my comfort zone. Maybe I’ll say, 'Let me take on a bigger project, something I can send abroad,' or participate in an international trade show. I think my goal is to try out more ideas and everything that comes with it, and if something turns out not to be worthwhile or if I think, 'I’ve done it once, I don’t need to do it again,' then that’s okay. […] And if at some point I want to go in a different direction or do something else, I want to give myself the freedom to do that. I don’t know if in ten years I might have a different dream, maybe going into fashion. […] My dream is to implement my ideas. […] I don’t know what ideas I’ll have in five years.
JI: "You also seem to live in the here and now—not in the past or the future. You’re just doing your thing now. This 'curved straight line.´"
This brought us both to laughter again.
Sara: "That’s nicely put. Yes, although in my mind I often live in the past, thinking about everything that has happened. But yes, the 'curved straight line.' I think now is the time to try these things out, even to fail at a few things. […] Keep moving forward. Always see where it leads."
JI: "Do you think failing is good, or does it generally bring you down initially?"
Sara: "That's a very interesting question, and one I've often thought a lot about.
" Failure [...] is an experience [...] from which one learns. |
It initially brings me down completely, but I know that failure is incredibly important, and it has a much too negative connotation. In reality, failure is just an experience from which you learn. This means that if you fail at something, you can use that experience to do something else much better."
LUNENOIR – Scene for Everyone!
JI: „What makes your brand special? What defines your brand?"
Sara: "Without sounding generic, it’s a lot—non-animal (Sara smiles)—heart and soul. A lot of love. The thoughts behind why I do this, why I avoid animal materials, and my whole ethical perspective, which you don't have to share if you wear my jewelry, but which I definitely highlight when I get inquiries about whether I want to work with leather. […] I believe my intention is that I can never get everything right all the time, but I try to a certain extent. I try to reflect my way of life in my brand."
JI: "Your jewelry is very unique—no mass production. You prepare everything with the finest craftsmanship. You mentioned that you buy all the materials in their raw form and create the jewelry entirely yourself."
Sara: "Exactly. Plus, I make everything with custom measurements. So, custom-made items—including 'plus-size.' I have my models that I then reproduce by hand, but I also take very specific special requests. So if someone has various requirements—a certain color or something really out there […] like ten-meter-long chains or flowers cut out of faux leather. I take the general idea and create a design from it. And these are very, very unique pieces that I then make. It also really makes me happy that people are excited about this."
Veganism is being positively hyped
JI: "Veganism can now be seen everywhere—on the internet, in supermarkets. Do you see this vegan trend as more of a hype that has been growing, or would you say it is rather a serious lifestyle that has now also gained economic significance?"
Sara: "Both. But the first one not in a negative sense. I think when veganism is 'hyped,' it's a positive thing because more people are engaging with the topic. If more people are reached, they can seriously consider 'Is this for me?' and realize 'Oh, I didn’t know I could eat vegan quite easily.' So, it's a very positive hype, in my view, and I think it's great how more people are exploring their diets. It's not like it was ten years ago when eating vegan was difficult. Nowadays, there are substitute products—whether they are healthy or not, or processed—at least it provides an entry point for people who want to try veganism but don’t know how. This way, they slowly start to learn more about food preparation and nutrition and discover the amazing things you can do with vegetables."
JI: "When did your lifestyle change begin, where you said, 'I want to eat vegan now'?"
Sara: "I can tell you exactly—during the burnout! That’s when I started to reflect on what wasn’t right. What was going wrong in my life? What made me completely unhappy? At that time, it was really my social circle, my job, and my relationship. And my diet, meaning my lifestyle. I was vegetarian at that point. […] I just couldn’t continue living while still contributing to animal suffering through my diet, and that made me unhappy, so I changed it."
JI: "Have animals and the environment always been important to you?"
Sara: "Absolutely! Even back when I was around 15, 16, 17, 18, I was already vegetarian, much to my parents' dismay (Sara smiles), because it was really difficult for them. It was quite annoying for them to cook differently for me. Then I ate meat again at some point, but I never felt comfortable with it. It was easier, but eventually, I switched back to being vegetarian. During the burnout, I realized that it made me completely unhappy if I didn’t go fully vegan."
JI: "Please describe in more detail what 'vegan' means to you. When does one eat vegan or live vegan?"
Sara: "Basically, it means completely avoiding all animal-based foods. No milk, no eggs, nothing that comes from animals. I know many people say, 'But milk is okay'—but it's the intensive animal farming, the exploitation of animals, that goes against my ethical principles. The idea that a living being is exploited for our enjoyment, whether it's intensive farming or even so-called free-range cows, feels very presumptuous to me. That's my personal opinion: putting our pleasure above the welfare of animals. Therefore, it wasn't really a sacrifice for me. I've never felt like, 'Oh, I really want to eat that.' Instead,
I simply don't want it anymore."
JI: "You're mainly talking about food. Does veganism also apply to clothing and home accessories? Are you saying that you don't want to have any animal fur or leather in your home as well?"
Sara: "Exactly. That's always a personal choice. For example, I don't want to buy anything made from leather, as I would be supporting an industry I don't agree with. It's a matter of principle. The same goes for furs or shoes. I make sure they are made from vegan leather, just like the materials I use for my jewelry."
JI: "You mention it again: you primarily use vegan materials for your jewelry."
Sara: "Exactly. So nothing animal-based—just faux leather."
JI: "Does that mean if a customer were to ask you to use animal products,
would you fulfill that request? It is commonly said that 'the customer is king.'"
Sara laughs: “Absolutely not! I would refuse, and I’ve already done so. I think 'the customer is king' is a very dangerous phrase, and it comes from a time when people always wanted to please others, which is something I also struggle with, as I tend to do that. No, the customer is not always king. The customer is how they are towards me. If they are rude to me, why should I be friendly? This is my business, and these are my requirements and decisions. [...]”
JI: "When you deal with your customers and their individual requests, do you find that the majority of them are people who already live a vegan lifestyle?"
Sara: "I don't have many touchpoints with that because I mostly interact with clients on a professional level. However, I would say that my clientele tends to be very open-minded and thoughtful, especially regarding environmental issues. That's my impression. People who are interested in my work, not just my jewelry but also me, are likely to have some alignment with my values. If someone really appreciates what I do, they are probably not going to be politically or socially at odds with my principles, and they’re unlikely to be a fervent meat eater."
JI: "So, people with a more conscious attitude."
Sara: "Exactly, conscious. Those who think more about these issues."
LUNENOIR goes around the world?!
JI: "Your business has grown significantly. Your followers on Instagram are increasing every day. Do you mainly have customers from Germany, or are you already working internationally?"
Sara: "Most of my customers are from Germany, primarily because I am currently only shipping within Germany this year due to legal reasons. I still need to address these issues and find a specialized tax advisor for the processes involved. I’ve had a few inquiries from Austria, Switzerland, and the USA, but I had to decline them. This means that my international audience isn't really being reached yet, as I only create content in German. However, in the future, if I can start shipping abroad next year, I might also attract an international audience."
JI: "Absolutely, one could describe my jewelry as somewhat niche. It’s not the kind of jewelry you’d find in a typical jewelry store. It’s definitely more unique and distinctive."
Sara: "Yes, my goal was to create scene jewelry. Perhaps a bit more striking, maybe leaning towards the kinky or goth styles. I aimed to make scene accessories wearable for everyday life. For example, many girls tell me, 'Hey, I’d love to wear a choker,' like a faux leather collar, 'but it’s too bold for me. I’m hesitant to wear it, especially at work. I’d prefer something more delicate.' That’s part of my goal—to make these items suitable for everyday wear. [...] But you can also buy a delicate choker with a small amethyst pendant from me."
JI: "You’re trying to create a bridge between different cultures, lifestyles, and various aspects with your jewelry, and in doing so, reach out to everyone."
“ A bridge between different cultures, [...]. |
Sara: „Yes, I find that beautiful too, to be honest. There’s a range that leans more towards the fetish direction, then there’s the rave scene, and also people who just find the aesthetic pleasing. [...] Exactly, I want to unite all of that. I want to cater to various tastes while still making sure that it’s clear ‘This is LUNENOIR’. That’s my brand, and I want to create many different things that, even though they might be a mix, always represent my brand."
JI: "Your personal touch is definitely felt (we laugh again). It’s clear that this is a heartfelt project for you. It’s not just a business to make a quick buck. There’s a lot of thought and effort behind it, and you coordinate everything individually with your customers. That’s what sets you and your brand apart."
CleanUp Duisburg
In July 2019, Sara organized a CleanUp action in Duisburg with around 20 participants.
JI: "You told me about the CleanUp action. How exactly did it go?"
Sara: "There's not much to say about it. I was walking through Neudorf one day and was really shocked by how heavily littered everything was. I thought, 'This can't go on,' and the thought wouldn't leave me. So I talked to a friend and asked if she’d be interested in joining me for a trash cleanup on a Saturday—just for us. She agreed, saying she had noticed it too. Then I thought, 'Hey, maybe I can find a few more people through Instagram or Facebook.' I posted a small picture, asked who would be available at that time, bought a few grabbers and trash bags, and said, 'Anyone who wants to join is welcome.' It wasn’t really planned out that much."
Sara laughs: "I would approach it differently today if I were to do it again: I would engage with local businesses, plan the timing better, make it larger. But it was actually a spontaneous action, and I was really surprised that even people I didn’t know reached out. You have a follower who told others who didn’t even follow me, and they joined in. So, I think we ended up with about 15 or 20 people."
JI: "Do you think the environmental awareness among people here is already quite high, even though it feels like there's a pile of trash everywhere?"
Sara: "I find it hard to judge because I might also be in a bubble of people on social media who are, I think, a bit more conscious or engaged with various issues. [...] In my bubble, definitely, yes."
Not a free pass!
JI: „Let’s talk about LUNENOIR again. What can your customers expect from you and your brand in the future?“
Sara: "They can expect that I will never separate myself as a private person from the business. This means I will always be 100% myself and I will communicate when I'm not feeling well, and there might also be times when I say, 'I need to take a step back.' But that’s just how it is. I also struggled with illness and a herniated disc last year. I will always do things this way. I won’t say things that I don’t truly mean, and I won’t promote things just to make more sales. They can expect that I will try many things, and I might also say about some things, 'I didn’t like that so much.' (Sara laughs) I think they will witness many attempts, simply trying to move forward with my life, implement ideas, and just try to be myself."
JI: "They will definitely experience the authentic Sara."
Sara: "Yes […]. I need to get out of my head, I often think about how I come across to others or that some people might not like what I say. Especially with the topic of veganism. But I always say, 'There will always be people who find you annoying,' and I think I want to embrace that even more.
“ There will always be people who think you're annoying. |
I want to try even more to be myself, without it being a free pass to ignore my own behavior. Just, simply, doing my own thing."
JI: "You can't make everyone happy."
Sara: "No. Someone will always find you annoying. No matter how you look or what you do. There will always be people who think you're annoying."
JI: "Have you often experienced, especially on social media channels, that you've received hate messages or other negative feedback? Especially maybe because of your veganism?"
Sara: "Not because of veganism. But yes, because of other 'Reels' (Sara chuckles cautiously), which were played a bit more widely. Those who didn’t find my 'Reels' funny and felt the need to tell me how silly they thought it was and that it really wasn’t funny at all. When I talk about my fears or issues like having trouble saying no, and then comments come in saying how 'embarrassing' I am or 'It can't be that hard to just say no.' Yes, I've heard it, but I have to deal with it, and I know it probably won’t decrease if I keep going. [...] So, I just have to, to put it bluntly, not let it bother me."
Be brave, be yourself
JI: "To come back to burnout and your business: Stress is considered one of the main triggers for burnout. How is it possible to both suffer from or have suffered from burnout and simultaneously break out of the 'secure hamster wheel' to plunge into the risky world of self-employment? Isn't that exactly what stress means?"
Sara: "That is super difficult to reconcile. Since the burnout, I also say 'I am stress-sick.' I notice it in the smallest situations in everyday life. It's not easy. I’ve now also gone through therapy. I need to pay more attention to myself and the space I allow myself, to sometimes let things go and say 'I’m not feeling well today. I know I have some orders. I wanted to get a lot done today, but today is just a bad day,' and then it's okay to take half a day off. It’s a lot of work on myself, I have to say, but the thought that I’m earning the chance to do what I love through work and reflection makes it worth it. And on some days, I’m also glad that my husband says 'You are allowed to. You can be sick today.' I’ve also noticed how kind my community is in the past. When I communicate this, they understand, so I try to establish mechanisms like 'Hey, please expect a custom order to take eight weeks.' Of course, the first things that come in are finished faster, but I don’t want to put pressure on myself. It’s at a pace that I set. I am the business and this is my pace. If someone doesn’t like that and needs it in three days, then they need to order elsewhere. That’s completely okay with me."
JI: "But that also adds to the authenticity. You show that you're human, you're not an AI."
Sara laughs: "I always say, 'Not Amazon.'"
After all the valuable insights into Sara's life and her business, I asked Sara for a statement.
JI: "What advice would you give to those who have dreams but also certain self-doubts or fears? How should they proceed? Should they take risks or stay on the safe path?"
Sara: "Give it a try. It can only get better or stay the same and you might fail. Either way, it will definitely move you forward."
Depressions, burnout, dreams, and yearnings—issues and problems that affect us all. Each and every one of us can be impacted. We face everyday challenges that may seem insurmountable. However, one thing is clear: solutions always exist, even in cases of psychosomatic illnesses.
For counseling or immediate help with suicidal thoughts, depressive behaviors such as grief, severe withdrawal from the outside world, feelings of failure, etc., in addition to day clinic facilities, immediate telephone support is also available nationwide. A list of these services can be found, among other places, at familienportal.de.
It is important to overcome one's own hesitation and consciously decide to seek help. Psychosomatic disorders—an issue that still seems somewhat stigmatized today—should not be a source of shame for anyone.
Literature references:
Interview JI with Sara B.
Image Credit:
Fig. 1: Sara B. in her workshop in front of her logo. Source: JI
Fig. 2: Sara B. with her own jewelry collection. Source: Lunenoir (Instagram)
Fig. 3: Sara B. in her workshop. Source: JI
Fig. 4: Custom designs are also available. Source: Lunenoir.de
Fig. 5: Crafting a new custom piece. Source: JI
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