Summer is usually a very busy and fast-paced time at our centre. Since I didn't manage to truly rest this summer, my joy was even greater when I received the news that I had been selected to participate in the Erasmus+ training “EmpowerED: Pause. Reflect. Reconnect”, organized by the Estonian Association of Open Youth Centres, taking place in mid-September in Portugal. I set a conscious goal for myself: if I couldn't rest in the summer, I would use this project to recharge my batteries. The training topic was exactly what I needed – it was designed for youth workers who are ready to step back from their daily duties, reconnect with themselves, and acquire tools to maintain balance – both for themselves and for others.
I have always known that presence – the ability to be consciously in the moment – is important for maintaining mental health, but as a multitasker, I rarely truly enjoy the present moment. If there's nothing else to do, like many others, I reach for a smart device. Before the trip, I wrote in my diary what I wanted to gain from the project and listed the steps that would help me achieve it. For example, limiting social media use, checking messages only at specific times, and disconnecting from work as much as possible. I kept my promise quite well; for instance, my phone was mostly in the tent the whole time.
We stayed in four-person glamping tents, and incredibly, it was actually quite nice. Despite usually preferring to be alone in a room during projects, sharing a tent with three people seemed quite daunting to me at first. The project took place at Quinta das Relvas farm in the Branca region – under ancient trees, where the temperature was cooler than in the surrounding area. The proximity to nature and the ascetic conditions greatly helped in taking a break from everyday life and looking inward.
I really made the most of the program. For example, one instructor held unscheduled Kundalini yoga sessions for us in the mornings. I, who usually prefer to sleep as long as possible, got up in the mornings to participate. It felt great to go to breakfast after an hour of exercise. I also liked that the training program was diverse – there were hikes, meditation, discussion groups, creative activities, and much more.
This was one of the best international projects I have participated in. My own mindset and the genuine need to take a break also contributed to the positive experience. While I am usually quite pragmatic and believe that projects should provide a wealth of new knowledge, this time, truly focusing on already familiar topics and taking my time yielded much more new knowledge – including insights about myself.
I am glad that I was among the lucky ones who got into this project. There, I finally learned what I had long wanted – to truly be present and enjoy the moment. I returned much more self-aware and full of new energy and motivation.
Margit Kink
Director of Tartu Youth Work Centre
