NADINE SWAGERMAN
Openness leads to a happier life.
Nadine Swagerman is the author of the Young Adult books 'Wat we niet zeggen', 'Aan de andere kant van geluk', 'Maar ik ben jou niet' & 'Eén waarheid'. She is the winner of the Young Jury Debut Prize 2019.
In her teenage years, she sought recognition, longing for stories that reflected her sexual feelings and inner struggles. Unfortunately, such stories were rare. That is why she now integrates these themes into her books, so that young people can recognize themselves and receive the acknowledgment they deserve.
'But I Am Not You' tells the story of sixteen-year-old Jamie, who has been placed in foster care because her mother could no longer look after her. Jamie must find her way in a foster family while struggling with her identity and her past. When strange events occur, Jamie begins to doubt her safety. As in all her books, this work also focuses on queer representation. Additionally, she addresses themes such as addiction and mental health issues.
Nadine grew up with the idea that there are always worse things and that you just have to keep going. For a long time, she confused vulnerability and signs of burnout with weakness, causing her to push herself beyond her limits and suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Fortunately, she has learned from this. For Nadine, mental health now means knowing your own boundaries, asking for help when needed, and daring to talk about insecurities and fears. It is letting go of expectations and embracing your own path and identity. To stay mentally balanced, she enjoys walking her dog and ensures she gets enough relaxation. Talking about feelings and concerns is important to her; it provides relief and offers the opportunity to grow and get to know herself better.
Nadine performs well under pressure but acknowledges that too much stress can be harmful. To reduce stress, she exercises, walks, or seeks rest. Accepting situations for which there is no solution remains a challenge. A book that has deeply touched her is 'Letters to a Young Poet' by Rainer Maria Rilke, in which embracing solitude and exploring one's own feelings take center stage. A valuable lesson she has learned is the importance of talking about difficult emotions, such as shame and fear. By sharing, she acknowledges that she is not alone and that all aspects of herself are allowed to exist. She believes that openness leads to a happier life.
