I’m Nora,
founder of the well
which originated from my journey of learning to transmute pain, burnout, and other difficult experiences into positive change
Learn more about our vision and mission, and how we came to do what we do.
It began when I was 15
At the age of 15, I became aware of the state of the world, and my initial shock, anger, and despair drove me to pursue a relentless quest for positive change. This led me to become an activist, work with international NGOs, and volunteer for over 10 years to empower other young people to become active citizens. I studied International Affairs to better understand the world and how to change it.
However, I eventually realised that the problem was not just about raising awareness or having diverse voices heard; our systems are broken. Indeed, they are creating results, such as climate change, that the vast majority of us do not want, and our existing approaches have fallen short of addressing these complex social and environmental challenges.
I dedicated myself to systems change
In response, I co-founded collaboratio helvetica in 2017, an initiative to catalyse systems change towards the SDGs in Switzerland. I continued to learn about systems transformation through trainings, co-initiating social innovation labs, and a Master's in Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge. I became an outspoken systems change advocate, held countless speeches across sectors, trained and supported dozens of systems change leaders, and supported the initiation of hundreds of new collaborations and projects.
But behind the scenes I struggled…
Over the years, I struggled to cope with the largely unchanged state of the world and the challenges of this work - my health took a toll. I was officially diagnosed with burnout and chronic depression in 2022 - I had been depressed, albeit 'high functioning', for at least five years.
Like many of us socialised as women, the breakdown revealed an undiagnosed ADHD which I had been masking and compensating for for years.
It’s no secret that increasing numbers of people are burning out, struggling with anxiety and other forms of disease. These numbers are even higher amongst people who care about the state of the world and seek to contribute to positive transformation.
connection
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hope
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creativity
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connection ◇ hope ◇ creativity ◇
Through that struggle I founded the well
I was lucky to (re)discover art-based practices, such as conscious movement, social poetry (with the Presencing Institute), art and music therapy, and more. These practices enabled me to regain my sense of hope, creativity, and connection to myself and others.
I created the well as a change atelier to make these art-based practices accessible to more people, with the hope of supporting them in living a healthier, more connected, and creative life.
I sacrificed myself at the altar of change, thinking this was what was required. Spoiler alert: it's not. It's even counterproductive. We cannot pour from an empty cup, and to create a better tomorrow, we must nurture our own well-being.
I am touched by people's feedback and their experiences of how their energy is completely changed after a workshop and my hope is that you will feel the same way.
We are showing up and supporting each other in taking time for creativity and self-expression, which requires true connection with self. The well has become a place where connection and creativity can be nurtured in a number of different ways, and this is an essential aspect of preventing burnout and remaining empowered as a changemaker.
BROWSE OUR CREATIVE OFFERS
I hope the well will serve you too!
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“On this wonderful journey I was able to experience a deep sense of connection with the elements of nature and listen to their voice, which has contributed to revealing a greater awareness of the things I do in my life. Thank you for supporting me to dive into the purpose of my life.”
JUAN CARLOS GUZMÁN
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“The experience was unexpected and transformative. It changed my state of being completely and at the end I felt intensely alive! This atelier offered a form of expression I definitely want to continue to explore.”
ANNA KREBS
the well’s blog
Read more about my story and insights around burn-out and the value of creative practices
Our Ethos
The ethos of the well is an attempt to put into writing what we stand for and how we invite all of us to show up.
Connection
Healing what has divided us from ourselves, each other and the rest of nature is a key part of this work. We are a part of nature and belong to local ecosystems and each other.
Non-judgement
Judgement is not our friend in healing, play and the creative process. Leave it at the door. The aim is to not judge our own creations or process, nor that of others, and rather practice total acceptance. There is no right or wrong way to create.
Let go of control
Art-based practices and processes are about the journey, not the outcome. Release any expectations, thoughts or mental pictures about what should come out. Stay open to anything you might create, stay open to the process, and allow the heart to lead you, moment by moment.
Presence
This time is your time. Commit to yourself, and let the outside world be for a while. The value you will receive from this space depends entirely on the quality of your presence and intention. Let yourself flow in the beauty of creative silence.
Confidentiality
Together, we cultivate a safe space. This asks us to honour that whatever is shared within this space, remains in it. Your words and creations are safe with us.
Sovereignty
We step out of dynamics that are disempowering and recognise we are capable of taking responsibility for our actions and reactions. As an interconnected being, you can ask for support at any time, from a place of sovereignty.