“Where are you from?”
Usually one of the first questions that people ask when they get to know you. I don’t know how to answer that question anymore, and I don’t think it’s the best question to ask. The more accurate one is: “Where were you made?”
My mom created the name for Project Made when she ironically said: “You’re Made!”, meaning the German tale of the little “Made in Hong Kong” which you can read here. Little did she know she created my new brand – not only am I literally being “made” on this journey, but the tale teaches us three things that are the corner stones of my year-long travel project.
(1) Go beyond and be bold! See the big picture and don’t be limited by what you currently see, where you are or what others tell you you are or are not. Take chances and believe in the world picking you up. New things show up if you get out there and open yourself to it – so let them find you and keep growing!
(2) The world is your oyster! It’s not about who you were or where you’re from, it’s about what you make of the potential that life presents you with. And to do that, you need to understand what’s going on around you, in other countries, other cultures and other people’s minds. Life is much easier to navigate if you understand that your world is only one of billions of possible perspectives.
(3) Keep in touch with your roots! No matter how far you travel and how much you grow, never forget where you’re from and take your loved ones with you in spirit. Let them know what is going on, so they understand the journey you’re on and how that changes your perspective. In the end, you don’t only keep them with you at all times, but they also get a chance to experience some of the experiences you come across.
I’ll be the Made for the next few months. And I will be made. Made a better person. Made a stronger human. And made through the countries I will travel. Made in – the world!
Kathrin Hilde's Project Made 