As part of the blog "Conscious People" by Venitz, we interview the actors of the green transition to find out more about the behind their commitments. Today, here is the story of Axelle Tessandier.
Hello everyone, I am Axelle Tessandier, I create and write…
I owe my eco-responsible commitment to a trigger, an awareness: The trigger happened over several years, with readings (recently, “Reviving the embers of life: A common front” by Baptise Morizot had a great impact on me; a holistic approach which invites us to redefine our relationship not to the planet only but to the “living”), documentaries, the concrete effects also before our eyes. I would say that becoming a vegetarian several years ago was also the first very important step.
In this sense, I am committed all the time ! I believe your life is your message and everything speaks to your vision. I'm not perfect, and like everyone, I have to face contradictions. I try to support associations that are close to my heart, but once again, a commitment can take a thousand forms. The way we behave with others, with the environment around us is already a way of saying “This is who I am”.
The way I perceive the world around me and the way I interact with others has been strongly influenced by living in several foreign countries, having had the chance to live for two months in Berlin with fourteen nationalities (we all live in the same place, and there are many things that bring us together, whatever our ages, cultures, experiences, etc.). Human experience is a common basis, and our respective singularities are an opportunity. I try to remember what binds us, while never forgetting that everyone is the fruit of a journey, full of great joys and wounds. I believe that our relationship with others is also influenced by our personal history, and by the relationship we have with ourselves...
Since we're focusing on travel, let me tell you an anecdote. When I lived in Berlin in 2009, we were 28 residents living together for a project called Palomar5 (we had to create projects for the digital generation, notably on the “Future of work”). One day, there is an argument in the group (I'll let you imagine 28 young people between 18 and 30 years old living together... fascinating but not always easy). And one of my English classmates said to me “Axelle, you’re so French!! » in the middle of the general tension where points of view diverged on the continuation of the project. I answer annoyed “But what does that mean???? - You believe that everything is political and that you are always right!! “Not wrong” I had to admit. We laughed. Laughter always creates bridges… It was 12 years ago.
Second bonus anecdote about Palomar: One of my best friends is one of the people I met there. We are not the same age, not the same culture, not the same nationality, we do not live on the same continent. She teaches me so much, nourishes my vision of the world, and we always laugh so much. I still feel as close to her despite the thousands of kilometers that separate us and our different biographies. Sagarika, if you read these lines, I love you.
I often think of this phrase: “Become friends with people who aren't your age. Hang out with people whose first language isn't the same as yours. Get to know someone who doesn't come from your social class. This is how you see the world. This is how you grow. »
I like to think that the desire to support noble causes is contagious. So if I had to give one piece of advice to those who haven't yet taken the plunge: If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in your room.
Then be the mosquito!
There is no action that does not make a difference. And when we believe we are doing something for others, we realize that it is also ourselves who is transformed and enriched. Once you try to commit, you never go back! It gives a new dimension to many things.
And find a community that will help you take the first steps. It helps to feel surrounded!
However, adopting a more ethical and responsible lifestyle is not a linear process, I myself make purchases that are not always eco-responsible. My bathroom is still full of packaging, I pass by the shampoo bars saying to myself “come on next time”, and I know that I still sometimes fail when sorting my waste.
Then we gave our guest the freedom to express herself on the environmental cause in a more poetic, almost lyrical register...
The orange rays of the setting sun run over the steep rocks that border the ocean, the shells coo - lulled by the swell -, the hubbub of the city falls asleep behind the light mist that rises. The wind whispers a word in my ear: you are where you should be...
It only inspires me with gratitude, and a certain strength...
The water brushes against me, I raise my head in a sigh and my eyes meet the stars which shine with their beautiful pale glow. I am overwhelmed by a wave of feelings, even resentments. Dear Nature, you can do without me very well, and the opposite is not true. It's time we all remembered that. Not only when your beauty overwhelms us or when we take the time to observe you. But constantly, as a way of being, of living and feeling the world, of feeling the living. Of which we are part. Let's stop looking down on you, or as a resource at my disposal. Dear nature, I don't like this idea of separation. Dear nature, you are in me.