Welcome to Millennial Of The Week! This is an interview series conducted by Millennial Community – we are a group of like-minded young people who talk about life as a millennial, create projects & ideas that matter and challenge the status quo of the world we live in.
This week we are talking to Lina Sandén from Sweden, an amazing singer, songwriter and traveller with a passion for eastern European countries like Hungary & Romania. Lina is a musician and artist not only because it is a part of her, but also because it’s her way to express her ideas, thoughts and process emotions. Working as a tour leader/guide in Eastern Europe has put Lina out in the world on a monthly basis, and these countries have become part of her personal as well as professional identity.
Are you a member of any online communities? If so, what made you join?
Well there’s those connected to courses I’ve taken: B-school and the Lucky Bitch Bootcamp. And there’s the brilliant people from a conference called Alive in Berlin. Joining a community for me has to do with giving and receiving support, plus creating new friendships. I know it might sound cheesy but that’s the truth 😉 Part of why online communities serve me is because we discuss things I can’t really discuss with friends and family in real life – maybe it’s because we keep it positive and no other old relationships/discussions/events can seep into the conversation as it can with the ones you love and have near.
What are – in your opinion – the most important skills a millennial needs to cultivate, and why?
Being adaptable. There’s no such thing as a life-long career anymore.
Being curious. That goes both for new cultures/languages (make sure you learn as many as you can! It will open your world) and for choices in your career. Don’t judge those who haven’t a fancy degree or work in more practical fields – and remember to take those jobs into consideration too because there might be something there you haven’t thought about.
Basically, be curious about everything.
How are you practicing those skills in your own life?
Being away, travelling, I have a front-row seat to be mesmerized. And I try, vigilantly, to never become complacent “oh I’ve been here before”. This especially happens in Romania, because I can see the wonder in my tourists’ eyes (they’re always surprised on some level) and I adjust my eyes to see it from their point of view. And it’s incredible.
Being curious, keeping a sense of wonder is a delicious feeling.
What is your personal definition of success?
This turned out to be the trickiest question to answer. Because on one level, my personal definition is being able to create the life I want (ie: work with what I want to, live where I want, spend time with the ones I love) yet, if that’s really true then I’m already successful. But I still yearn for more.
So maybe being successful is being able to both be extremely grateful for what I have and also dance with a yearning, a longing, and striving towards the next goal, project, adventure.
Part of me is waiting to be a successful singer, yet I haven’t actually figured out what that means to me. This question needs some more mulling over 😉
What are YOU seeking help in at the moment?
Taking my music career to the next level. Being visible as a musician, songwriter and singer.
What excites you about being a millennial?
Compared to previous generations we have so many opportunities in terms of creating several careers and adventures within one lifetime. That’s exciting! We can travel and work between continents, we create friendships with people we never met in person, we can change careers, change environment. We have this amazing pool of freedom to work with.
Also being part of a generation who remembers a time before internet gives us a certain perspective that I think it’s important we hold on to and don’t forget.
Quick Fire Questions
My current passion project
Songwriting with the aim of performing at the glitzy, kitschy Eurovision Song Contest.
I am most grateful for
Having both freedom and security (my parents, my partner, love, my country).
One of my role models (and why)
A tricky question. It changes. In music, I’m mostly inspired by the Moldovan band Carla’s Dreams. They don’t fit a certain genre and their focus is music, not image.
Best advice I ever received
Fail faster. The faster you fail, the faster you succeed.
My biggest challenge
Getting to a place in music where I feel comfortable enough to pat myself on the shoulder and say “you did good”.
Being resourceful means ___
Being adaptable. Never giving up.
