Strong woman without fear of cold water
Freelance editor and founder Anna Lena Kramß has worked for many years for well-known print and online magazines such as Financial Times, Bravo, Cosmopolitan and Stylight. Since 2018 she has been self-employed and works for Elle, InStyle, Harper's Bazaar, FOGS and the Condé-Nast-Verlag, among others. In the same year she started the online fitness program „Bauch Beine Baby“ together with her daughter Mila Lou. She is currently completing the program with her second child Pepe Balou. In the form.bar interview Anna Lena Kramß talks about important decisions, role models, limits, courage and freedom.
„If at some point it no longer fits, it is made to fit again“
We think that life is formable - how did you manage to make it successful according to your wishes?
You have certain images in your mind of what your life should look like later and you work towards it. But:
As soon as you let go of these rigid ideas and accept what life throws at your feet, everything suddenly becomes
easier.
Which characteristic was particularly important in finding your own way?
I am a person who often and accurately reflects on herself and her surroundings. This can be quite exhausting
and time-consuming,
but it has definitely helped me a lot in finding my own way. It is important to perceive even the smallest
feelings and changes in oneself
and above all to take them seriously. A certain amount of courage can also do no harm if you decide to break off
all your tents
and start all over again somewhere else when you suddenly realize that you are treading water.
You were courageous - which new beginning did you dare?
I have always dared new beginnings and jumped into cold water or moved to a new city.
From my home town Marburg I went to Berlin, from there via Australia and Rio de Janeiro to Hamburg and then to
Munich, where I really put down roots.
When I noticed that the direction was no longer quite right, I moved back to Marburg - to the small town - with
my husband and child.
We said goodbye to the big city and many friends. In the same breath I started the adventure of independence.
It was a really difficult decision that many people could not understand. I still remember how I thought back
then:
If only someone could tell me that I was doing the right thing! In the end, everything worked out - but that
also involved a lot of work.
And if at some point it doesn't fit anymore, it will be made to fit again.
„I have always dared new beginnings and jumped into cold water“
Who do you think of when you think of successful people?
To women who have the courage to open their mouths to change things, to make the world a little better.
And then also manage to be heard.
For example, the journalist and author Alice Hasters, the education activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala
Yousafzai or the author and human rights activist Waris Dirie come to mind.
How do you make important decisions?
I go through all the possible outcomes of my decisions and then listen to myself, with which scenario I can best
identify.
As a journalist, it is also in my DNA to inform myself in detail about things.
Knowing many facts helps me to make an important decision.
Do you have a motto for your life or is there a wisdom or quotation that you keep thinking about?
Yes! And I say it to myself over and over again: When someone tells you: You can't do this! Remember: Those are
his limits, not yours!
What was the best advice you ever got?
The best advice was from my mother. She told me: "Only YOU can fulfill your expectations, only YOU can meet
them. Do not expect it from others."
And the worst advice?
Several lecturers used to say to me: "If you really want to achieve something as a journalist, you have to leave
Berlin. Today I know:
Success has nothing to do with the place where you live. You can also be a successful journalist and live in the
province. Sometimes you just have to change your perspective.
„Nature inspires me again and again“
What does freedom mean to you?
For me, freedom means being able to go where I want, when I want. And yet to know, to have a place, a home,
where I can always withdraw and feel safe. And to be able to do and say what I really want and think.
And yet to know that I have someone at my side who understands me and shares my thoughts.
What inspires you?
Travel - to faraway countries, but also in Germany. Get in contact with people who do and like completely
different things than myself. Also nature inspires me again and again.
She has the ability to press my reset button when my head is full and I need new inspirations.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Take your time and do not put yourself under so much pressure. Life is not straightforward and everything you do
makes you the special person you are.
In the end, all your decisions - whether good or bad - make sense.
Why did you decide to use form.bar?
I was looking for something unusual for my new workroom because I spend most of my time there as a freelance
editor.
It was important to me to have a shelf with open compartments to "exhibit" my work, pictures, inspirations.
But it should also have lockable compartments that have enough space for documents etc.
A connection between the creative and the administrative, packed in a light, stylish design.
This is exactly what I researched and came across form.bar. I was immediately enthusiastic about the fact that
you can put the shelf together just the way you need it.
„I was immediately enthusiastic“
How difficult was the design on the computer?
Designing on the computer was easy and fun.
After I finished my design, I got some tips and comments from the professionals at form.bar, which I accepted
with thanks.
Did regional production also play a role in your decision to choose form.bar?
Yeah, definitely. I was also very happy that two absolute professionals assembled and adapted the cabinet for me
with millimeter precision. The result speaks for itself.
Le conseil et la mise en œuvre ont été excellents – notre interlocuteur mérite tout particulièrement une médaille pour sa patience et son amabilité. J'ai mal pris les mesures, j'ai changé plusieurs fois d'avis et je l'ai probablement rendu fou... mais il est resté aimable, créatif et nous a aidés à créer des étagères plus belles que tout ce que nous aurions pu imaginer. Je le recommande sans réserve, même aux perfectionnistes chaotiques !
Apprendre encore plusComme pour ma première commande pour notre mur TV, une bibliothèque et un séparateur de pièce, la deuxième commande pour une autre étagère a été parfaitement réalisée, exactement comme je l'avais imaginé !
Apprendre encore plusComme toujours, tout était parfait. Nous avons déjà hâte de commencer notre prochain projet avec formbar. :-)
Apprendre encore plusUne étagère magnifique et très originale, d'excellente qualité, un service formidable, tout est parfait. Je la recommande à 100 %.
Apprendre encore plusDe superbes meubles personnalisés. Parfaitement adaptés à mon espace. Je trouve que le délai de livraison de 6 semaines est raisonnable, car ils ont été fabriqués spécialement pour moi. Tout est parfait !
Apprendre encore plusJ'ai pris beaucoup de plaisir à créer l'étagère sur l'ordinateur. La communication avec form.bar, puis avec le menuisier, s'est déroulée sans aucun problème. Le montage s'est également passé sans encombre.
Apprendre encore plusTrès, très beau meuble. Livraison sans emballage encombrant et pourtant arrivé sans dommage. Rien que pour cela, je donnerais 10 étoiles.
Apprendre encore plusLe système et l'idée commerciale qui le sous-tendent sont tout simplement géniaux. La menuiserie Langenkämper, chargée de la réalisation, a fourni un travail remarquable. Je recommande vivement l'ensemble.
Apprendre encore plusPersonnel très aimable, serviable et compétent, concept génial et très bon site web. Réponses très rapides dans la communication.
Apprendre encore plusBon travail, l'étagère correspond à ce qui était prévu. Le service de livraison est très utile et orienté vers le client. Le montage par nos soins s'est très bien passé, les illustrations sont claires.
Apprendre encore plusNotre étagère est vraiment devenue une superbe pièce unique et personnalisée. Les questions posées avant la validation ont reçu une réponse rapide, et la date de livraison a été convenue dans les délais. L'équipe de la menuiserie Bücherl a été ponctuelle, travailleuse et très sympathique. Le montage par les Bücherl s'est déroulé sans encombre. On peut certainement trouver des produits standard à un prix nettement inférieur, mais certainement pas des pièces aussi superbes et sur mesure qui attirent autant l'œil. Excellent.
Apprendre encore plusLe rappel promis a été effectué à la minute près ! Nous avons ensuite bénéficié d'un entretien-conseil très compétent et sympathique, incluant l'ajustement en ligne de notre proposition de design pour une table de cuisine ! Nous sommes déjà fans !
Apprendre encore plus