Learning to slow down in Berlin: what I have learned
by Clarisse :)
Before the start: my expectations and my fears
When we talk about Berlin, we think of a dynamic, vibrant and fast-paced European capital. And as a master’s student in international business, I had a very clear idea of what to expect: an intense, competitive, performance-focused work environment, like Paris. I was afraid of a frantic pace, of long days, of a company where we run after the numbers and where the human takes second place. In short, I was expecting to go through a fast-paced internship.
The discovery of Dirty Roots: a different rhythm
What I found was quite the opposite. When I joined the Dirty Roots team, I discovered a completely different way of working. Here, we do not run: we move forward. At his own pace, with meaning, respecting others and ourself. The atmosphere in the workshop is soothing, almost meditative at times. We take the time to do things, to do them well. The team is responsive, human, caring. I was surprised at how we adapt tasks to what we really care about. One is encouraged to learn, to experiment, to be curious. Performance exists, of course it’s a business, but it doesn’t crush well-being. It coexists with it. And that was new for me.
Unexpected learning: the slowness
I realized over the days that I was learning something fundamental: slow down. Take a real break. Breathe. Observe. Accept that not everything is measured in productivity or Excel. Learn that creating can take time. That the beautiful, the durable, the handmade, do not rush. This slowness, it reconnected me to myself and what I really wanted in my professional life.
And after? What I save for the future
Before this internship, I was on a rail: school, business, results. Today, I know that I want to keep this relationship healthier at work, in creation, in rhythm. I want to continue to evolve in environments where the human is not a variable of adjustment, but a real priority. I am still far from perfect in my way of consuming or living. But I know that I want to move forward in the direction of meaningful projects, aligned with my values as Dirty Roots.
To conclude
I came to Berlin for an internship. I’m gonna leave with a life lesson. Slowing down is not wasting time. It’s taking it back.
Fun fact : all our drawings here has been made by our graphic designer Conchi