Dear reader,
My name is Irma. I'm 28 years old and like most of you probably are, I'm a history nerd.
My love for history started when I was a small child. I loved the stories that were told to me. About other times, about things, people, wars and battles or places that I loved to imagine. That's also where my passion for writing stories comes from. The most beautiful thing I found, and still find, is visiting such a place. Being able to physically touch something. Immersing myself in the atmosphere and history. I feel at home in those places too. So quite naturally, I have a life dream: to own my own castle one day.
My parents say I should just marry a rich guy. A man who is very smart and has lots of money. Then I say ''no, you should encourage me to become rich''.
Fortunately, when I have a goal, I'm a fairly unstoppable whirlwind. Having a dream keeps me ambitious, it gives me purpose.
What work do I do then to become so rich, you might wonder? I work in hospitality… in a museum restaurant as a kitchen assistant. You probably saw that coming haha. A girl with a big dream but a modest budget.
After I finished my HAVO, I did makeup training. Didn't finish it unfortunately. But I made a lot of contacts through it and learned an enormous amount. After that I studied spatial design. The program was mainly focused on commercial spaces. But I quickly decided that I wanted to specialize in historical design. This is where things really started rolling for me.
I did my first-year internship at Stichting kasteel Radboud in Medemblik. I did various tasks here. But I also got to design and realize part of an exhibition. Jackpot, I thought. I learned so much here. For example, that pool noodles aren't the handiest material to make a display boat with. Even though the right intention was there. So you can take that life advice for free. In the end, there was something I was mega proud of.
After my internship was over, I stayed there as a hostess. But I also got to know the castle inside and out.
In my final year I did 2 internships. The first was at the 20th century museum in Hoorn. Here I worked on an exhibition about children's TV. Experienced quite a few bizarre moments too. I combed the wig of Pipo the clown. Put my hand in the puppet of Paulus de boskabouter. And put the real bears from Berenboot on a replica bear boat. And yes, I even took a selfie with the real Moffel and Piertje. Let that sink in, a more recent kind of history.
The second internship was back at kasteel Radboud. By this point I was already fully integrated into the Radboud family. I got to design a library. This was during corona time. So while everyone was sitting at home, I was making designs in the office. Pitched the ideas and later realized them myself. Sanding, painting, designing. In the end I was mega proud.
I was completely smitten with the castle life. So I came up with other tasks for myself. I made and embroidered cushions that now sit on the windowsills there. I applied storytelling to two special chairs that have cushions I embroidered. Who would have thought you could tell a whole story with cushions.
At Radboud I got to know real knights. A man in armor is a whole different caliber of attraction. But also people who are professional Medieval reenactors. So of course my dream career suddenly appeared right in front of my nose. A choice I didn't even know existed.
Once I graduated, I really needed a job. That's how I ended up at the Zuiderzeemuseum in hospitality. Not my end goal, but it's where I ultimately became happy. Also against my expectations. I've even moved to Enkhuizen four years later. A beautiful historic city.
While I work in hospitality, I do historical things in the background. For example, I participated in a Medieval tapestry project at kasteel Radboud. Here I learned Medieval embroidery. Something that is now part of my creator identity. Something I now see as a passion. So I stood at a Medieval fair with my Medieval embroidery pieces. I got to model for an exhibition poster. Recorded audio tours. I also do a lot of content creation for the castle and to draw attention to new cultural heritage.
I even got to live in an empty castle for a month. Of course I said yes immediately when that question was asked. But there I was then. My first night alone in a big castle while the storm outside produces all kinds of sounds that make you wonder if they're ghosts or the wind. Yikes. But that experience turned out to be very special and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Eventually there was even an offer to live in another castle. But I unfortunately had to turn that down in the end because I couldn't afford double rent. All these opportunities come from my contacts. Because I show what my passion is. Because I'm not afraid to speak my dreams out loud. But especially because I'm not afraid to step out of my comfort zone.
Currently in my free time I coordinate for a new project at kasteel Radboud. We're making Medieval clothing for all the volunteers. I roll from one thing into another. Also because I often show initiative myself. Come up with ideas myself.
That's also how I ended up at Celticwebmerchant. An ad on social media. They were looking for models. Even though I was very aware that I'm no Victoria's Secret angel, I applied anyway. Be a bit crazy, as we like to say. Low and behold, weeks later I heard something. If I wanted to come by for a shoot. And oh yes, if I was open to being a human sacrifice. I was particularly intrigued by the question and said yes.
Now I'm here. A few shoots and amazing experiences richer. With a different kind of self-confidence. New lovely friends and a CV entry I never thought I'd have. All in all I'm very happy with all these experiences. It gives me peace, self-confidence and hope for a happier life. I'm proud of myself for everything I've achieved and done. Even when I was nervous or scared. So my advice is, say yes sometime. Be a bit crazy. Be that human sacrifice in your first photo shoot. You never know where something will lead…
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