Anne de Walmont loves the city. Nevertheless, as a bird keeper, she moved to an otherwise uninhabited island. Because only in nature it comes to itself.
"Seven months alone? I couldn't." It was a common reaction when I talked about my project. Many were very impressed that I really did it. But for me it wasn't that big of a deal. I am a sociable person and actually very talkative, but I have always consciously taken the time to go down. And I can't if I have people around me all the time.
Slowing down on the island
However, I couldn't sit in a room just for myself. For me, being alone is mostly connected to being outdoors in nature. I particularly like the connection to the sea. You can see incredibly far and at the same time somehow nothing. A lot falls away from me and I can be much better with myself and become aware of where I am in life and where I want to go. In this respect, I went to the island with respect, but also with a lot of anticipation.
Everything I did there was consciously and decelerated. That's why I hardly made any calls, even if I could at least occasionally. Instead, I wrote letters that the island supplier, who came once a week, took away. Sitting down, writing sentence by sentence and reading again in peace, that suited me better. And yes, every now and then I commented out loud when a bird hopped on the railing in front of my hut.
Conscious perception
What I rediscovered on the island: You can also be happy about things on your own. I always thought that I had to share beautiful experiences with others. But it is also enough to consciously perceive them for yourself.
After my return, the reactions in my environment also sounded jealousy. However, not in a negative sense, but rather as a longing. Obviously, a lot of people are striving for something similar, but they usually lack the courage to take the decisive step. It doesn't have to be seven months on a desert island, but it's definitely worth it.
Anne de Walmont, 31, worked on the island of Trischen in the North Sea in 2019. Otherwise she lives in Bremen.
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