Hello! Kyriaki here.
It has been almost a week since I returned home, and it still feels a little strange to write about my experience in Mrachenik in the past tense.
When I first arrived, I wrote about needing some distance from my everyday life and wanting to step away from the routine I had created for myself. Now that I am back, I realise that this experience gave me exactly that distance, but also something more.
The first thing I have to say is that I came back with a beautiful and completely uneven tan. After spending so many days working under the sun, I think this is probably the most visible souvenir I brought back with me. Not the most elegant one, but definitely a memorable one!
During these three months, there were many different activities, challenges, and moments that I will remember for a long time. We worked on the Barn Space, cleaned, built tents and benches, carried things, worked with different tools, spent many hours outside, and, especially during the last weeks, we seemed to spend a lot of time fighting with weeds. At some point, we were basically professional weed removers.
But this summer gave me much more than practical skills.
It taught me to listen to my inner voice again and, most importantly, not to ignore it so easily!!!
Somehow, I feel that some of the patterns I had within myself have changed. I used to believe that I didn’t have the power to change anything meaningful around me, and that there was no real reason to even try. Now, I feel more confident in my ideas and more willing to believe that they are worth pursuing.
I feel like I am no longer just watching my life happen, but actually becoming an active player in it — making choices, taking chances, and believing that I have the power to shape at least some part of what comes next.
I feel like I have a purpose now, even though I still don’t know exactly what that purpose is. And that’s okay. I don’t need to have it all figured out yet. For now, it is enough to know that I want to be an active part of shaping my own life and discovering, along the way, what that purpose might be.
Not every experience has to give you all the answers. Sometimes it is enough to give you new questions, new perspectives, and new people.
And speaking of people, this is probably one of the biggest things I am taking home with me. I have met people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, and I now have wonderful connections all over Europe and beyond.
I am incredibly grateful for all the people who shared these three months with me, including the participants of Vitality Vibes. You gave me unforgettable moments, countless laughs, difficult days, beautiful conversations, and memories that I will carry with me for a long time.
Looking back, I think the biggest change happened quietly.
I don’t know exactly what comes next, and I don’t need to know yet.
For now, goodbye, Mrachenik.
Goodbye, village.
Goodbye, school home.
Thank you for everything.
See you somewhere around Europe! ❤️ 🌀
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This program is co-funded by the European Solidarity Corps program of the European Union.
Финансирано от Европейския съюз. Изразените възгледи и мнения обаче принадлежат изцяло на техния(ите) автор(и) и не отразяват непременно възгледите и мненията на Европейския съюз или на Европейската изпълнителна агенция за образование и култура (EACEA). За тях не носи отговорност нито Европейският съюз, нито EACEA.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
