Mental Landscapes of Malla: Human to Human

Malla Laakso-Nyström’s blog series “Mental Landscapes of Malla” shares thoughts and experiences of rehabilitation at Lapinlahti Lähde. In the fourth part, Malla reflects on the importance of inspiring people for her own work identity.

Surround yourself with people who inspire you. This phrase came to mind last Friday during a conversation with my work coach. I’ve had a great opportunity to use the services of a work coach alongside my work experience, and it feels really nice to have me at the centre. I am being treated as me with hope. Not through diagnoses, not through illness or previously being a carer for my children, but as me. We talk about what I want, what I would like to do, what interests me, what I would like to develop, what kind of work I would like to do in the future, in which sector and much more.

I feel that I am being met and heard. It’s an amazing feeling. I’m lucky in the way that my work coach and my chemistry meet really well. It’s easy to have a conversation when the other person understands half a word of what I’m saying. He also has the courage to tell me if I’m talking about myself in an unintentionally ugly way. This is exactly what I need, right now!

After Friday’s work coaching session, I noticed that I smiled and walked with a lighter step part of the way home. I was hopeful and happy. Even though the government’s policies and cuts are making the employment situation step by step more difficult, I was still hopeful. My professional side had come out stronger again and I remembered how versatile I am. How much knowledge, experience, networks, vision and drive I have. How committed I am.

Something clicked into place and I think it is also visible from the outside. I know that I will be employed in the future. I have the confidence to trust my skills and knowledge in a different way again.

So what made that piece fall out of place in the first place? The experience that despite all my commitment, skills and expertise, I was not enough. I was dismissed when I was at my weakest. It left its mark.

But I think now that it was good how the values of that place came out in that moment, and I didn’t spend any more of my resources on that association, even though I missed my clients, young people from a special group. The encounters I had with them were genuine and sincere. I gained a lot from it, and I believe the same was true in return.

One person can be enough

I have always believed that one person and the right encounter can be the deciding factor in the direction of a life in difficulty or crisis. One person can be enough, as long as the encounter is genuine and present. It can shine a light in eyes where the flame is dying. It can lift a person from the bottom of Mordor to the surface.

It can help you find solutions and steps that will take you forward, give you strength and faith in the future. I have wanted to be that person for others. A person for a person. I have seen how the eyes of a person who has lived in the midst of difficulties have lit up when I have met them. I have sincerely rejoiced in those moments. I have hoped that if I were in the same situation, someone would meet me in the same way.

I have been met and heard. It has had a positive impact on my life. Humanity, being genuinely present, seeing and hearing others are things that can make a big difference.

In my professional life, I experienced the same feeling. On Friday, my work coach told me how he sees me and my skills. It woke me up from my slumber. Through adversity, I had lost the ability to see my professional self and my skills. I had imagined that in the eyes of others I was the same as in my own mind. I am not. I had stepped away from the side of myself because of what I had experienced through illness.

My work coach made me stand up for myself, and that gave me strength. Something in the big picture changed radically.

It has always been important for me to have a job that matches my skills and where I can develop and experience success. Jobs where I can make independent decisions and where I am trusted. To be part of a team working towards common goals. Work where the level of demand meets my skills, neither too demanding nor too undemanding. To be part of a community where I can discuss issues openly and where others are helped in tough situations to achieve common goals. When I came to Lähde for my work experience, I wondered whether I would get to do tasks that I found interesting. Whether I would be trusted for my skills and whether I would be part of a team working for the common good. I have. The working community is great. It’s good to move on from here.

Let’s look each other in the eye in the middle of a grey November and smile (if we feel like it). Let’s be human to each other. When we feel dull and tired, let’s surround ourselves with the people who inspire us. It can have a surprising effect on our own well-being.

– Malla –

Other articles:
Mental Landscapes of Malla: Status – Rehabilitator
Mental Landscapes of Malla: ‘Lapinlahti is for all of us’