Life is a theatre and I am a misfit. Yet, when it comes to catalysing social change I get to be a right fit.

Looking back, I was a playful, creative child raised in a troubled family. By the time I reached adolescence, I struggled with power dynamics and group mentalities, and not much was left of my creative abilities.

At the age of eighteen, a skull fracture disrupted my life. Never had I ever felt that tired, lifeless, inert. A powerful dream and the silence of a slow recovery confronted me with my vital need to restore trust in myself, others and in life itself. I really longed to find my tribe.

But where to start? I didn't have a map. I often lost track. The journey to revitalise my trust and life energy was long and full of changes. From studies in philosophy to living and working in southern European countries, looking for life quality. From organising, guiding or helping out tourists and artists to teaching and philosophising with adolescents, trying to create qualitative experiences for others. All these situations increased my sensitivity to (dis-)empowering narratives and brought me to unusual places.

The first revival of my creative life force happened in Venice and lasted as long as I lived on the island, for about five years until 2008. I did not know which elements were responsible for that state of being. Was it the slow rhythm of a town without car traffic? The emotional expression of Italians? The many social encounters and reflections about life with friends and strangers? All of this? Whatever it was, I wasn´t able to reconstruct it in my home country Belgium.

Fast forward to 2014. While visiting holistic schools and sustainable projects in Brazil with the project Edu On Tour, my creative powers got back on track. The atmosphere in two particular schools* activated the spirit of interconnected free authentic people in me. It felt like humanity´s home. Not long after, I stumbled upon life-enhancing, participatory, relational tools and perspectives for socio-cultural change. This was the start of my purposeful journey.

Experiencing that I had the capacity to co-create inclusive, interconnected spaces for personal growth, was so powerful that I developed myself as a facilitator and coach to learn all about systemic change and regeneration. Healing and empowering myself and others became my life´s work and greatest joy. I still have a long way to go, and it excites me, as I believe we humans have a lot of unexplored abilities.

It is my honour to help you build trust and unleash your creative potential because I want you to experience belonging and I want you to bloom. Join me on (y)our journey home.

Warmheartedly,

Sofie Baeke

* Curious about the schools? Check out my blog articles Cieja Campo Limpo and Projeto Âncora.