Occupational Therapist at the new Mental Wellness Clinic in Windhoek, Bel Esprit, Nina Balzar, shares here her learnings and lessons from the past year, her self examination from Africa… her Afrospection.
Looking Back…
Q: How would you describe your 2017?
A: It was a very special one! We celebrated our sons first birthday and had such a beautiful time with him… Then 2017 also brought great changes I didn’t expect in the beginning of the year! I changed my job and am so thankful for the new opportunity and development.
Q: What was something good that came out of 2017?
A: My new job…
Q: What challenged you in 2017 and how did you overcome this challenge?
A: It was a challenge at times to manage everything well; job-family-personal life… you get difficult situations e.g. your child being sick and you wanting to stay home with him instead of bringing him to his playgroup. But in these moments I found the best way is to keep communication with supervisors and colleagues as open as possible so everyone understands it and can be of support to you.
Q: What was your favourite Art in 2017? Theatre, music, movie, artist or art collection…
A: Slick Artie & Immanuel
Q: What was your biggest health and wellness learning of 2017?
A: What I realized is that it is so important to take care of yourself because if you don’t make your own well-being a priority, it will affect all the other areas in your life und you might burn out.
Q: What was your biggest personal development learning of 2017?
A: I mastered being pushed beyond my comfort zone.
As for the Holidays…
Q: What is your favourite food in December?
A: Braai… Not really because of the meat but because of the people you spend the time with.
Q: What is your favourite Namibian destination?
A: Definately the Coast, I love the ocean!
Q: What book should we all be reading?
A: Sensory Intelligence – Why it matters more than IQ and EQ by Annemarie Lombard
Q: Where do you find your inspiration?
A: My son & my husband… If I look at them, how they are experiencing and discovering the world together and developing a beautiful father & son relationship, it just reminds me of what is important in life and it inspires me for acivities or challenging tasks ahead of me.
Looking Forward…
Q: What is your mantra for life?
A: Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.
Q: What is your wish for the world for 2018?
A: More sincerity.
Q: What is your wish for Namibia for 2018?
A: More understanding and respect of each other’s differences.
Q: What is your wellness goal for 2018?
A: Continue with yoga.