Long time, no write! A lot has happened, even though I haven’t travelled much further.
I have been talking to tons of people, asking for jobs in lots of different places, and it seemed hopeless. No one needed help in this season. Either weather or tourism had been bad recently, or there was nothing to do, or even too many employees already!
Without setting myself the challenge of approaching a person a day, I have actually been doing that naturally!
I was so anxious in the beginning, and constantly felt embarrassed. I kept blushing heavily and had a very shy posture about me. But I continued anyways, and it actually – to my surprise – got easier (but not easy). I got congratulated and admired a lot for travelling so far alone and learning the language so quickly. However, my reply was always that this talking to people was so much harder for me. It is interesting that travelling alone and solving situations by themselves seem to cause so much anxiety to most people. I am actually wired the opposite.
Back to the story: some days later I arrived in a village whose name I had noticed previously, and in this village I asked in pretty much every place that might employ people. From restaurant to school to fishing industry. Literally no one could give me a job – but some connections to other people that might (or not). But this feeling of connection was what made me feel very welcome. Therefore I decided to stay and wait a bit, if something would turn around. I met so many nice people and got integrated into the community. We set up a Christmas tree and decorations (in mid November!) for the Julemesse (Norwegian Christmas market/party). I spent a day in the kindergarden (where I could at a later time get a job), got invited to an evening of board games, helped out in the café and went on lots of beautiful hikes. The weather ranging from clear blue sky to snowstorms.
Some days later a job offer came around. I had previously been turned down, but apparently that was a mistake. And the job was no other than shift work in a shrimp factory.
I wanted to cry at first. Previously, I had been applying in the school or kindergarden – jobs that could be exactly my area. And now going back to factory work and starting night shifts?
My head was too fast again; it had already created a horrific picture, and I doubted I could do it.
By the way – exactly that had happened in the kindergarden, too. The only reason I ended up applying was because someone arranged a spontaneous meeting for me. My picture was already that I would be overwhelmed by the noise, and my language skills were too terrible to understand the kids. Well, with help of a friend I created a different picture in my head. And when I spent half a day in the kindergarden, I had no problems (apart from the initial shyness 😉). Unfortunately, because of bureaucratic issues and kids being sick there was no work just yet.
Back to the shrimp factory. I decided to take the challenge and explore something totally different. A vegetarian in a shrimp factory and someone with depression who likes their daily routines on shift work. Sounds like a perfect match, right?
Of course, I was surprised and the picture proved wrong: it wasn’t as terrible as expected. And in the week I’ve been working there, I have actually grown to see the positives!
I guess the non job-related work I’ve been doing is starting to pay off.
What I have learned: I can change the picture, I can fit in
What I’m grateful for: the possibility to learn and challenge myself and to have found a place to stay
P.S.: the title is weird and the first part is a Chelsea Wolfe song 🤫