Created in Berlin, AYANI’s design mission is to provide you with a “5 minute work wear fix” so that you have more time for yourself and things that matter. In the design process they are carefully think about what a modern woman needs:

„Effortless yet stylish pieces which give women comfort and confidence throughout the day, and are made in a conscious and responsible way.“

The dress I´m wearing has the name Zebel, and is a belted shirt dress in olive. Also available in black. What I love about this dress? I can wear this dress at the office with a pair of pumps but I can also match this dress with a pair of boots, leggings and a leather jacket.

I talked to Ani the founder of AYANI and asked her about inspiration, trends, but also what to wear for a job interview. I definitely didn’t expect this answer. I also tried to find out her secrets for her success and what kind of clothes she avoids wearing. She told me what she didn´t have in der closet until recently. A big suprise. I guess we all have this in our closets.

1. What inspired you to become a fashion designer?

My path was never linear in becoming a fashion designer. It wasn’t an aspiration I had in mind but something that developed after I was plunged into it head first. I studied psychology and marketing and before starting AYANI, I worked in the marketing field.

There was a complete lack of womens’ workwear in the market where style, comfort and elegance came together. It was my observations through mentorship and leading roles in the workplace with women where I realized I wanted to create a brand for confidence and that’s how AYANI came through.

2.When and how did it all begin?

It all started some years ago when I was still working in a company and I was struggling to find professional looking dresses. Over the years I had accumulated a wardrobe full of clothes that either don’t stand more than 3 washes or aren’t comfortable to wear in everyday life. I wanted to create a 5-minute workwear fix, to remove the morning stress and allow me to have more time for myself.

In 2016 I started to read a lot of books that awakened me on the impact of consumerism on our society and the environment. The book “Climate Vs Capitalism” by Naomi Klein struck me the most. I began making more conscious decisions and purchasing based on the company ideology that I supported. I imagined the beauty from creating a business that was a force for good and that is how AYANI was born.

3. How would you describe your brand aesthetics?

In three words: Comfort. Elegance. Versatility.

It’s all about the modern woman. It’s all about what she wants. She has a busy schedule, she is building her career and she needs pieces that make her feel confident. Dresses that take her from office to happy hour and are easy to care for that don’t require dry cleaning are what she needs. This modern woman’s life is what defines the AYANI aesthetics.

I believe that women and their needs should be the main inspiration behind fashion. What they do, how they live, what do they really need, and that is the key to our brand aesthetics.

4. How do you choose your fabrics and where are they sourced from?

The sourcing of the fabrics is a very rigorous process. On multiple occasions, I’ve travelled to Turkey and visited over thirty fabric manufacturers. Since 2020 we have been committed to only source sustainably made fabrics such as viscose Ecovero or recycled polyester. The actual choice of fabrics is mostly driven by the designs, which means that the fabrics have to be sturdy, long lasting and should not peel. Fabrics that are easy to care for, that can be washed in the washing machine and do not require any dry cleaning. Fabrics which are easy to iron or do not require ironing at all. We are currently working with one of the biggest manufacturers that make sustainably made fabrics in Izmir, and since 2020 we have worked with them exclusively.

5. In your opinion, what are the most critical aspects of the fashion industry?

Fast fashion. And that is not only because of the use of conventional vs sustainable fabrics. I strongly believe that if the world just produced less and with higher quality, the impact of fashion on the climate would reduce tremendously.

6. What are your favorite trends in fashion, past and present?

Honestly, I don’t follow trends. Trends come and go, and I’d rather see people wear more timeless clothing, and fashion industry producing more timeless pieces. Clothing that one can wear from one season to another and that can be worn for years to come. Clothing that is of a real value for you, the environment and your wardrobe. That’s exactly what is in the design process behind the AYANIl. We see it reflecting in our sales. Our dresses from the first collection are still very popular today.

7. As a fashion designer, how would you advise someone to dress for a job interview?

Be bold, don’t be afraid to stand out. Put on something bright, something that makes you feel good, comfortable and gives you that sense of confidence in you. It is true that people judge by the first impression. Everyone comes to an interview wearing black. Be different. Dare to stand it (with style). Put on a bright dress and see how it boosts your confidence and watch the strong impression you make. We have a customer who told us that she wore our bright green shirt dress for a high level ministry job interview (I must say it’s quite daring to do that!) and she was so pleased to see that she landed the job right away.

8. Are there any types of clothing that you avoid wearing?

Pants. I haven’t worn pants for over 10 years. I don’t own any pants. I love dresses, they are so easy and so much more comfortable- if they are designed comfortably. No need for matching the top and bottom, less clothing to wash. Just one piece and you are ready to go. I must say I recently bought my first pair of very wide pants that fit very well with AYANI’s shirt and tunic dresses. Other than that, I don’t have any.

9. What fashion trends are you passionate about?

I like pullunders. I am not sure if they are totally new, but there are definitely more options on the market right now. They go very well with dresses.

10. What motivates you the most about having your own fashion business?

What motivates me the most is definitely the fact that I am building a purpose-driven company. After that it is all about customers’ love and feedback. We receive so many beautiful messages from our customers. It moves me to hear that my style and the company’s purpose resonate with so many women. This is true happiness for me.

11. There’s so much pressure for designers to come out with their greatest collection season after season. What advice would you give to young designers just starting out and hoping to make it in the industry?

Do one thing but do it well. Let it be only blazers, but aim to make the best blazers that are on the market. Quality requires an insane amount of work, that is why I highly recommend to focus on one thing, but do it really well. Try to make the best piece you can and solve the problem for your target audience. Especially when starting off, you can’t be good at everything. Take one piece of clothing, analyse it, study it, see what is really missing on the market. A great deal of satisfaction comes from making something well. That’s why we only make dresses. Something of a higher quality, something that’s actually going to stand the test of time. It does. It’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of hard work, but every detail is worth all the effort and that’s what you’re rewarded afterwards.

12. What have been your weirdest and wildest sources of inspiration for your brand and design directions?

It is always the modern woman.

13. What aspects of the fashion industry would you like to change?

I wish fast fashion would be completely eradicated. There is no place for it. No place for how fast fashion brands treat their garment workers. No place for the enormous amount of clothing they produce. We don’t need a new collection every two weeks. There’s simply no need for that.

14. What is the best lesson you have learned along the way?

If you put your whole heart into what you do and continue to create great work, people will notice and the reward will follow.

It´s so wonderful to see how much effort people put in their dreams and create something so beautiful. If you like my page and want to read more, I can reccomend this article about how you can sleep your way to youthfulness, fitness and success. If you looking for more fashion: Avocadostore  

Your

Der Beitrag Power Casual! The new office look in 2022 erschien zuerst auf TANJA VIETH.

Wie finde ich den richtigen Weg?

Zurück zum Hollywood Zeichen. Es sind immer wieder im Internet Wegbeschreibungen zu finden, die nicht mehr aktuell sind, da die Straße mittlerweile gesperrt wurde oder es keine Parkplätze gibt. Wer vermeiden möchte, einen Strafzettel zu bekommen oder in seinem Urlaub mit dem Mietwagen abgeschleppt zu werden, sollte sich an die öffentlichen Parkplätze halten. Mit der richtigen Route und der richtigen Organisation, ist es möglich die kleine Wanderung, die ungefähr 1 Std. 30 Min. dauert zu genießen und sich keine Sorgen um das Auto zu machen. Die Aussicht ist auf dem ganzen Weg nach oben sagenhaft und bietet mehr als genug Hotspots für Fotos.

Wo kann ich parken?

Ich empfehle “2927 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068” ins Navi einzugeben. Dort gibt es zum einen ausreichend kostenlose Parkplätze, was in LA auch eher selten der Fall ist. Beim nahe gelegenen Griffith Observatorium kann man schon mal mit Parkgebühren von $ 8-10 pro Stunde rechnen. Außerdem startet hier auch ein offizieller Wanderweg mit Beschilderung  Das ist hilfreich, wenn auf dem Weg nach oben zwischenzeitlich der Empfang schlecht oder komplett weg ist.

Was brauche ich alles?

Es gibt fünf Dinge, die ich jedem aus unseren Breitengraden empfehlen würde in einen kleinen Rucksack zu packen.

• Sonnenbrille
• Sonnenhut oder Basecap
• ausreichend Wasser
• einen kleinen Snack
• eine kleine Tube Sonnencreme

Ergänzen würde ich es noch mit einer dünnen Jacke oder einem dünnen Pullover. Das ist allerdings tatsächlich abhängig von der Jahreszeit und das ist mit eines der entscheidenen Faktoren auf dem Weg nach oben. Wer das Wetter und die Sonne in Los Angeles gewohnt ist, der stört sich sicherlich nicht daran in der Mittagshitze nach oben zu laufen und kann den Weg auch als tolles Workout betrachten. Egal ob im Sommer, Herbst oder Winter, es gibt auf dem Weg nach oben kaum schattige Plätze und die Sonnne knallt teilweise gnadenlos auf einen herab. Im Sommer haben wir uns gegen 7.45 Uhr am Morgen auf den Weg gemacht und es wurde auf dem Weg schon sehr schnell warm. Im Frühling haben wir uns im Laufe des Vormittags erst auf den Weg gemacht. Während es auf dem Weg nach oben schon sehr heiß war, haben wir oben tatsächlich etwas gefroren. Wer möchte kann sicherlich noch eine Kamera mitnehmen. Ich hatte bis jetzt immer nur mein Handy dabei und unternehme lieber etwas mit leichtem Gepäck. Wobei die Wasserflaschen schon für genug Gewicht gesorgt haben.

Wo starte ich?

Wenn das Auto abgestellt wurde, startet der Wanderweg noch inmitten von Bäumen und geht noch gar nicht richtig bergauf. Nach ein paar Minuten dafür umso mehr. Die ersten 30 Minuten sind tatsächlich die anstrengendsten und auch die letzten wenigen Minuten haben es noch mal in sich bis es endlich geschafft ist. Unter meinen Instagram Highlights hier findet ihr ein Video mit meiner ersten Wanderung auf dieser Route. Es gibt immer wieder Schilder, so dass jederzeit erkennbar ist ob es noch der richtige Weg ist. Zwischenzeitlich ist es immer wieder möglich, einen Blick auf das Hollywood Zeichen zu erhaschen. Ziemlich am Ende gibt es noch mal eine Gabelung. Ein Weg führt hinter das Zeichen und eins davor. Wir haben uns beim ersten Mal nur für den Weg dahinter entschieden und erst bei meiner zweiten Wanderung sind wir auf dem Rückweg auch noch mal den anderen Weg gegangen um auch Fotos von vorne zu machen.

Hollywoodland oder Hollywood?

Oben angekommen ist es einfach ein sagenhafter Ausblick über die ganze Stadt. Die Hollywood Buchstaben sind 137 Meter lang und 15 Meter hoch und waren 1923 tatsächlich die Idee eines Maklers, der mit dem Schriftzug “Hollywoodland” Grundstückskäufer anlocken wollte. Zu dieser Zeit war diese Gegend noch keine Filmstadt. Nach dem Verkauf der Grundstücke war geplant das Schild auch abzureißen, es wurde allerdings stehen gelassen. Bei Restaurierungsarbeiten wurde aus dem “Hollywoodland” unser heutiges “Hollywood”. Mittlerweile ist es leider seit einigen Jahren nicht mehr möglich die Buchstaben zu berühren. Es ist im Laufe der Jahre immer wieder zu Vandalismus gekommen und nun ist es nur noch zum Greifen nah. Das macht allerdings überhaupt nichts, denn so nah an den legendären Buchstaben zu sein ist schon ein wahnsinniges Gefühl. Hier oben angekommen steht die Zeit für einen kleinen Moment still….

Warst Du schon einmal in Los Angeles und kennst den Weg zum Hollywood Zeichen? Oder würdest du gern einmal dorthin wandern? Interessiert Du Dich für das Leben in LA? Dann findest Du hier übrigens aus der Serie “Living in LA” meinen anderen Blogpost über das Gayviertel Westhollywood.

Ich freue mich auf Deine Nachrichten.  Auf meinem Instagram Account findest Du weitere Bilder aus LA.

Deine

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

 

Never be afraid to do the things that make you feel free. ? Coming up today! A new blogpost how to hike behind the Hollywood sign! Stay tuned ? Für mich ist das Hollywood Zeichen ein absoluter Klassiker und auch nach knapp vier Jahren in denen ich erst komplett in LA und nun zeitweise dort wohne immer noch ein magischer Anziehungspunkt. Wie ihr am besten direkt dahinter kommt, wo ihr parken könnt und auf was ihr unbedingt achten solltet folgt heute noch auf meiner Homepage! Ich halte euch in meiner Story auf dem Laufenden. ? War schon jemand dort? . . . #behindthehollywoodsign #backofthehollywoodsign #backofhollywoodsign #backofhollywoodsignhike #hollywoodsign #hollywoodzeichen #hollywoodhills #cityofangels #gaygirl #californiagirl #germanlesbian #lgbtq? #lgbtq #lgbt #losangelesblogger #losangelesblog #hamburgblogger #hamburgblog #researcher #trendscout #lifestyleblogger #calilove #hikinginlosangeles #losangeleslesbians #gaygirls

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Tanja L. Vieth (@tanjavieth) am Feb 2, 2020 um 9:12 PST

Der Beitrag How to hike behind the Hollywood sign! erschien zuerst auf TANJA VIETH.

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Shopping detox for a whole year! 

Since the 1.12. Are you doing a self experiment, what is it about?

It’s about the consumerism in the fashion world. Our closets are full of clothes and the fashion industry is still producing more and selling them in big discount battles. The clothing is produced in miserable conditions, partly made by children. Fashion is sometimes even worn only once to take a picture with it, post it on Instagram, and then the piece is no longer interesting. I will see how much potential there is in my own wardrobe without buying new clothes, shoes or bags for a year. How does the awareness and appreciation of each piece change? During this time I will write about it on my blog and contact manufacturers who produce fashion in cruelty-free conditions.

What made you think about sustainable fashion?

As part of a research project for the university, I researched the subject of city and fashion. That was the starting inspiration. However, it took me more than two years to reach this point today. Like many others, I was always blinded by the beautiful colorful fabrics so at the point of sale, the origin of the clothing hardly mattered and I only wanted the garment.

The price we pay in the shop does not, as many believe, have anything to do with working conditions and wages. They are almost identical at discounters and designer labels alike and often clothing is made in the same factories. It did not feel good for me to be a clothes rack for these labels. I started to feel ashamed of my behavior and could no longer shut my eyes to the truth.

What does sustainability mean for you?

Sustainability also means thinking outside the box and using our resources responsibly. By this I mean to act today to work to minimize the ecological footprint, which consists of components such as nutrition, housing, mobility and consumption so that tomorrow our world is worth living for as many creatures as possible. Consumption accounts for only about 18% of this impression, but should not be neglected.

What goals are you pursuing with the experiment?

The result of one poll states that every second a piece of clothing is bought on fair terms. However, fair fashion only has a market share of 2 percent. I want this share to be increased. We need new laws and must take responsibility for them. No more excuses.

If we work together for fair conditions, then we can prevent people in the affected countries from being exploited  as well as preventing children from having a self-determined future. I want to make more people aware of this topic.

In addition to your blog, you also run your own coaching agency and have a living label “woodUwant”. What would you say is your profession?

After training as a stylist, I completed a bachelor’s degree in a creative field and a master’s degree in science in Los Angeles and Hamburg.

I am one of those people who has deliberated about a suitable job title for several hours, days, and I have to be honest, weeks. My grandparents had a single job, as well as my parents, so what about me? I cannot and will not decide. In psychology, it is called professional ambivalence.  Today I know that all my passions include something to do with inspiring people.

How did you come up with the idea to develop your own brand?

I ran an agency for years and did not realize that it was not the agency that was well received but me. At about the same time I talked to a corporate coach and developed my Instagram account, which quickly generated many followers. My coach looked at me and said, “Tanya, that’s you! Not the agency! People like you and want to be personally advised by you.” That was both shock and salvation. At last I knew what fulfilled me and what my job was. I owe the whole structure of my brand to a great team.

This year in September you opened your studio, how was or is this for you?

What can your customers enjoy when they visit you in your studio?

I offer different lifestyles and beauty workshops as well as individual coaching. In addition I offer photo shoots especially developed for women in the business area. In addition, I am founder of the label “woodUwant”, which produces individual home accessories. I live and research alternately in Hamburg and Los Angeles. Among other things, my subjects relate to job satisfaction and the interplay of city and fashion, which I also give lectures on. My customers love the fresh wind, which I bring time and time again, and I like to be inspired. I have an open ear and it is important to me that customers go out of their appointments more confident and happier.

Der Beitrag #noshoppingforoneyear – my self-experiment erschien zuerst auf TANJA VIETH.

Once I sent my location via Whatsapp to a friend in Hamburg. By coincidence, we always text exactly when I’m browsing through the shops. He responded with an eye rolling sign signaling that he doesn’t like shopping. But I don’t care, I always just put my phone back into my purse to continue shopping looking at all the dresses, skirts and shoes.

I stopped at these shops to look around. I realized I sold my soul to Instagram, to my followers, and to all the labels around me. Only two years ago I was deeply engaged in research of the scientific study on the production of fair clothing production.  Pink shoes and lace dresses have made it so easy for me to fall in love with them that I didn’t care where they are coming from and whether little children’s hands could have sewn them.  I was ashamed of myself. There was no one there judging me and yet it was unbelievably embarrassing how I acted. Without sense and reason.

A few weeks later I flew back to Germany with far fewer purchases than usual during my visits to LA. Once home I didn’t really know what to do with these feelings. I love my followers on Instagram but should I continue as before? Or should I just not post more outfits? Or should I not feature myself? I just wanted to be myself again so I started searching in my studio for the literature of two years ago. I found books with titles like;
“Deathly Chic – Noble Labels, Cheap Fashion – Inhumane Produced,”
“Wearing three times, throw Away- What’s the Real Price of T-shirts, Jeans and Co?” and
“Overdressed – The shockingly high cost of cheap fashion”

They reminded me of the beginnings of my research on fashion. The following weekend I watched some documentaries like “Fashion beats morality” about fashion and horrible working conditions. With tears in my eyes I watched a documentary about a 12-year-old girl working 16 hours a day in a factory where she was not allowed to sit. She couldn’t go to school because her family had too little money.

I am at a point where I know that I have to change something about myself. I read that even the market for second-hand clothing is already saturated so that some institutions no longer accept that clothing. The world is in a total consumption frenzy. As I open the doors of my wardrobe I notice:

I have enough clothing to open a store!

Shocking! I would like to test this by conducting a self-experiment. For one year, I will live only from the contents of this cabinet and keep a diary about it. No new clothes and no second-hand clothes. How much potential is there in my closet? Do I buy so much because I need it, or does it give me a kind of satisfaction? This year, I will continue to learn more about fair trade clothes and about labels and working conditions that are unacceptable. All this will be read on my blog. What comes after the year? I do not know at this point. The beginning is the most important part of the work.
On the 1st of December I´ll start. I will open my closet doors and reveal the contents on new blog posts and on Instagram.  And do you know what has already happened today in this moment?  As I´m writing this, I feel relieved. Relieved that I do not need to support this anymore. My first step.

Der Beitrag Shopping spree – how to program your mind to become better erschien zuerst auf TANJA VIETH.

At the moment, I’m working on the opening of my studio. I am so excited and happy.  But just around noon, I find myself fighting against sleep. I can sense my performance and creativity is noticeably reduced. In addition, the lacking of attention and reduced responsiveness increases the risk of having an accident by seven times.

My suggestion on how to remedy this is a brief nap – called power napping. The short sleep outside the main nightly sleeping phase helps the brain to regenerate itself. This increases productivity and performance and lowers the risk of heart attacks also.

No matter how modern the concept of power napping may be, the ideas about society, economy and politics are still antiquated. Sleeping at work is not planned in the modern service society. The number of days missed because of mental illnesses is growing steadily.

Two to three times a week, the mid-day sleep has the most lasting effect. The optimal period for effective sleep is the time between 1 and 3 pm, when most people have reached their biorhythmic lunchtime. However, the decisive factor here is to perceive your own biorhythm to recognize when the fatigue begins and the personal “sleepiness” is reached.

There are increasingly different opinions about the duration of the lunch break. For a long time, some experts warned not to exceed the duration of 20-30 minutes since entering the low sleep phase means that you need longer to wake up and to be fit again.

Recent studies, on the other hand, conclude that a bedtime of one to one and a half hours has an optimal effect on the learning ability and thus also the greatest recovery effect.

Calming music and the darkening of the room helps for a quick fall asleep and the start of an effective recovery phase which is key to physical and mental relaxation. Interruptions, such as a cell phones or office phones should be switched off or sent to co-workers. Important appointments and meetings should rarely be carried out during lunch time. In addition, a pleasant physical support helps. The head at least should be supported and the legs should be brought into an elevated position. It is also advisable to cover yourself with a light blanket as the body cools considerably faster during sleep. A light and low-fat meal before the rest also has a positive effect on the fertility of the recovery phase.

A cup of coffee before falling asleep does not only make it easier to wake up, but even increases the effect of the short sleep. The caffeine unfolds its effect only after 20 minutes. Thus, it has no inhibitory effect on falling asleep, but there is a refreshing thrust in the subsequent wake-up phase. One should in any case take time to wake up and rebuild the body tension by doing stretching exercises. It is also useful to rinse the face with cold water and bright light.

Der Beitrag Sleep your way to youthfulness, fitness and success! erschien zuerst auf TANJA VIETH.

I found this Guide about Converse colors, and think it is pretty funny. It says what your color of Converse say about you.

It doesn´t work so good for me because I have so many different colors but I feel excactly like in the Guide when I´m wearing black ones or the limited editions.

Now I´m so interested in what is your favourite color?

Der Beitrag What your converse say about you erschien zuerst auf TANJA VIETH.

Mein Lieblingsrestaurant ist das „Pump Restaurant„ am 8948 Santa Monica Blvd. Preislich nicht ganz günstig aber ehrlicherweise muss man sagen, dass essen gehen in LA auch nicht unbedingt günstig ist. Hinzu kommt ja immer noch um die 20 % Trinkgeld. Beim Pump Restaurant lohnt sich definitiv ein Besuch. Schon die Location ist super gemütlich. Inmitten von verwachsenen Bäumen, die ganz zauberhauft dekoriert sind, fühlt es sich an wie in einer anderen Welt. Sitzen ist drinnen und draußen möglich. Ich habe bis jetzt aber ausschließlich draußen gesessen. Aber auch wenn man nichts essen möchte, kann man ohne Probleme an der Bar nur einen Drink nehmen.

Gleich daneben, nur um die Ecke ist „The Abbey“. Dort wo es tagsüber eher etwas unschuldig aussieht, geht  es abends richtig zur Sache. Es gibt weibliche und männliche Tänzer, die ordentlich Stimmung machen. Der Laden ist am Wochenende wirklich voll. Es findet sich überall eine Ecke zum Tanzen, Quatschen und trinken. Mein Tipp: nicht erst um 23 Uhr da sein, dann muss man manchmal draußen warten. Um 2 Uhr ist nämlich über Schluss. Es wird kein Alkohol mehr ausgeschenkt und die meisten Bars und Clubs schließen dann. Das war für mich eine ziemliche Umgewöhnung. In Hamburg gehen wir doch manchmal um 1 Uhr nachts erst auf die Reeperbahn und Partys bis 6 Uhr morgens sind für viele nicht unüblich. Das Gesetz erlaubt das in LA nicht. Wer nicht auf ausgedehnte Partytouren steht, dem kann ich das Abbey trotzdem empfehlen. Tagsüber lässt es sich hier wunderbar was trinken oder auch den einen oder anderen Snack zu sich nehmen.

Wie findest Du die Sperrstunde um 2 Uhr nachts?

Der Beitrag Lieblingsorte #2: Westhollywood – Paradies für LGBT erschien zuerst auf TANJA VIETH.

Occasionally there are profiles that intimidate me. It’s those that write about their great jobs and that makes me feel small sometimes. I see pictures of perfectly styled women with their hair blowing in the wind. They’re sitting in wonderful sunny places and wear the most exciting clothes. Then there’s the sport crazy women who post their impossible run times wearing tight neon colored underwear and showing their six-pack. Pictures of lunches or dinners which will turn any cook green with envy.

The last profile that intimidated me however ,was the feed of a man who didn’t looked so special to be honest. He wasn’t special but he was extremely likable, at least from my perspective. As a profile picture he had a portrait of himself where he showed a broad smile with bright eyes. He held a yellow paper mouth on a stick in his hand. Like the props that are often used at weddings in a photo booth to make funny pictures. It wasn’t even the picture or his photo collection that made me doubt myself. His photos obviously weren’t professional.  A beer now and then, a self-portrait, or slices of strawberry cake. Photos of his son playing billiards and his sleeping cat actually created the impression that his profile is just another unspectacular one. In thoughts I already had categorized him in the same mid-to late thirty age group as myself. It was his short profile text that made me absolutely want to follow him a few weeks ago. The text said,  “pattern-breaker, freestyle-entrepreneur, manager, free spirit.“  Then under the quote it said: “The world is colorful.”  In addition he gave his address and website which I didn’t deem necessary to visit.

This profile suggested the man to be so free thinking that he doesn’t even attach importance to posting good photos just because he didn’t need it at all. So I followed him the first three months of my Instagram life. I was a little regretful though. Secretly I thought to be a free spirit myself but I always got in the way when I tried to present myself how i wanted to be seen. I wondered what an exciting job he must have. A job, that allows to break down the patterns and to discover the world in all its colors. I want to be like him.

Almost three months later on a particular day I opened the link to his homepage for the first time. It was a page where you could configure your own solid home – weather active energy houses, a classic single-family-house or a bungalow. My pattern breaker is selling model houses?  Ready-made houses? It’s not that I think this job doesn’t deserve appreciation. I just ask myself how free can your mind be when you have to act in such a framework? Even though or maybe just because of that Mr. D. is my secret Instagram hero. With his 2000 followers who follow him whatever motives they have. Maybe they are all house builders or people who want to become house builders. For me he is a hero because he inspired me by means of simple tools-at least for a little while.

How can I inspire you?

Der Beitrag My first three month on Instagram erschien zuerst auf TANJA VIETH.