Vickie Isabella Westen
Journalist & Author
Carried by her - June 23, 2025
She dares to fail her way forward and embrace adversity
It takes true courage to choose conscious presence – in a world that praises busyness, results, and perfection more highly than process and quality of life.
Therefore, we invite you to step into this conscious presence with Vickie Isabella Westen - journalist, mentor, and soon-to-be-published author of Fejl dig frem (Error your way forward); a book (and movement) about embracing adversity and seeing opportunities in mistakes. She has personally experienced how conscious structure can keep you anchored in your most important values, even when courage is challenged and rejections become the soundtrack of everyday life.
“Courage isn't just about ticking off the next daring thing on your to-do list - but about holding onto what truly matters. Even when it's difficult.”
Vickie says:
Do you know the feeling of wanting to do a lot but not knowing where to start? Or longing for direction but being overtaken by the hustle and bustle of everyday life and unfulfilled ambitions? That's how I felt for many years. I felt trapped in the busy-loop: Frustrated about wanting more, but overwhelmed by tasks that were never solved. Today I know that many people feel the same way in their career life.
As an author, mentor, and speaker, I meet women daily who long for more. They ardently wish to be stronger – not as perfect versions of themselves, but as courageous, conscious individuals. I once believed that courage meant having everything under control, but today I know it’s the opposite. Because courage isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's precisely about daring to stand as we are, imperfect and whole people, and continuing to choose what feels important - even when it doesn't succeed on the first try.
I received 17 rejections before a publisher finally said yes
For example, I felt exactly that when I fought to land the right publisher for
'Fejl dig frem'. Alongside my life as a freelance journalist, I needed to stand firm on my dream, but reality hit, and I could easily have given up when the first 5 publishers rejected my book.
To persevere – and receive 17 rejections – before finally landing my dream publisher, required more than persistence. Partly, it required the willingness to see opportunities in adversity. But it also required a structure that could keep me committed to what I was fighting for. Because when everyday life hits, and the calendar fills up with appointments and to-do’s, I didn't want to lose grip of what truly mattered to me.
“Today, I use my planner to hold myself accountable to what I dream of”
Week after week, I therefore returned to my vision – written in black and white in my planner.
For me, my planner is not a performance tool. It is my anchor, where I ask myself: Am I true to what I long for – or am I just busy?
Creating structure and direction in a life full of unpredictability is the essence of it all. And it takes courage to hold onto a vision on the go. But where some see flaws in opportunities, others see opportunities in flaws. That is precisely the attitude I hope to pass on to you today.
"I started looking for a job before I graduated, and I got a job even before I finished."
23-year-old Daniel Hansen is an Industrial Design Engineer and has just graduated from Aalborg University. He is already employed at the company Envision, which specializes in user-centric innovation.
Daniel applied for 10-15 jobs and had 3-4 interviews, which resulted in a job offer from Envision. The job hunt went smoothly for Daniel, even though he applied for quite a few jobs. He believes his proactive approach was a significant factor.
"I started looking for a job before I graduated, and I got a job even before I finished. It was a huge advantage to start early and be proactive, because it takes time to find a job, and the whole application process can easily be drawn out over several months. So, I would definitely recommend starting early," says Daniel.
His internship led to a job
Daniel completed his internship at Envision, which is a significant reason why he is now employed there. His internship was part of his 9th semester, and since he knew the company, their culture, and their business, it made sense for both parties to hire him. This is an advantage that Daniel recommends that other students also utilize.
"If you know of a good company where you'd like to work, then an internship is a really good foot in the door. You get to test out the company and the job, and they get to test you out. It's an advantage that allows you to get to know each other, and it's also a great way to show what you're capable of."
Don't be afraid to show who you are
According to Daniel, it was important to be himself during his job search. He was not afraid to show who he was and what he could contribute to the company. The professional skills were, of course, important, but his personality was also a factor that mattered to his new workplace.
"The advice I would give to other job seekers is to be yourself throughout the process. Don't be afraid to show who you are. The professional aspects are very important, but I also felt that my personality was very important in getting the job at Envision," Daniel explains.
Network to increase your chances
During his time at university, Daniel was involved in a student organization where he was responsible for external relations. This meant that he was often in contact with various companies in the industry. This experience gave him a lot of knowledge about the industry, which he has been able to use in his job search. It also meant that he expanded his network significantly.
"I was a part of the student organization 'Design Society', where I was responsible for external relations. That means I had a lot of contact with companies, which was really good because I got to know a lot of companies. So, I would definitely recommend networking and getting involved in some kind of organization that provides contact with companies," Daniel concludes.
Carried by her
Vickie Isabella Westen
