After graduating from high school, Michi Schreiber gained experiences in southern Africa that still shape her today: she dedicated herself to primate protection and is now even setting up her own sanctuary. She also wrote two books about her experiences. In the interview, the 27-year-old talks about her values, her marriage and her goals.
Michi Schreiber has become known as an animal rights activist. On her travels to southern Africa, she learned a lot about herself and now tries to pass on her findings to others – through her books and seminars, which focus on topics such as inspiration, volunteer work and personal development. Her first book “Unbändig” is available, among others Amazon, Thalia or Books.de to find. Her second book was written together with her husband Marc. “Among Monkeys” is also available Amazon, Thalia or Books.de to buy. In an interview with the star The 27-year-old talks about her attitude to life, her relationship and her plans.
Woman Scribe, what exactly was the trigger for traveling to South Africa after graduating from high school – particularly far away from everyday life? In your first book you report worries about the future and self-doubt.
Michi Schreiber: The specific trigger was actually the series “Crocodile Hunter” with Steve Irwin, which reminded me of my childhood dreams. As a little girl, I always wanted to observe the great migration of animals in southern Africa, so I decided to travel to South Africa after graduating from high school. So I didn’t set out to find myself, but to have an adventure, even though I learned a lot about myself on my travels.
The most important insight you took away from this time was…
… for me personally: “Follow your heart”. A tip from a kind airport employee that changed my life forever. And I also wish the readers that they begin to live their dreams within the scope of their possibilities. This may not be possible “100 percent overnight,” but I’m also not a fan of all or nothing. I find every day a small step in the right direction, can make you very satisfied and also brings you closer to your own dreams.
Especially after graduating from high school, i.e. at a time when you have the first guidelines for the Future Many people would like to get to know new perspectives as an au pair or in another way. Where do you think the frequent desire to “get out” comes from?
I like to describe the journey to school as a “monoculture”. Many different characters are raised to be equal and realize that the framework in which they find themselves is quite narrow, preventing them from developing as personalities. I think many people want to escape from this confinement.
The trip shaped your future and it remained the anchor point for you – until today. But what about the people who don’t have the privilege of getting out of their lives to find themselves? Be it because she Children have no financial means, health reasons, or, or, or. Do you have an online seminar with tips on offer for them?
On the one hand, I believe that you can find ways to do a lot of things. At 18, I had few financial resources and financed my trip without my parents. The same applies to the job I do today. There was no job description: “Animal rights activist, author, philosopher wanted with a focus on monkeys”. But there was a desire in me to do just that. And if you pursue your own desires actively and responsibly, many opportunities arise – even if not everyone has the same starting point.
That’s exactly what I want to convey: having the courage to think outside the box in order to take responsibility for what you want to experience or create in life. And that’s not all that new. Philosophers have been teaching exactly this for thousands of years. I just use animal and natural metaphors for this.
What are the central contents of your seminars? Do you only rely on your experiences or do you also use methods from psychotherapy?
It is a mixture of experiences, training and, above all, my studies in philosophy. A lot of what moves me is based on philosophical teachings and the question that we have been asking ourselves for thousands of years: “What makes a successful life?”
Why do you think your personal experiences could help other people?
Because people asked me about it. Then two years ago I started talking about my journey on Instagram Lives, about what I learned from the animals and on my path during my studies and training.
Could you possibly have found yourself in another way? Or did you need a strong counterbalance to life as you knew it?
Certainly. For me personally, it was important to break out of my everyday life to distance myself from what others wanted for me and to ask myself what I want. But it was only through my studies and my work in animal rehabilitation that I realized that it was also my responsibility to get going. If you want to take a path, only you can take it.
You regularly have the opportunity to leave everyday life in Germany and immerse yourself in a different everyday life. Does this help you to feel free? Or would it work without it?
Above all, I feel free because I realize that freedom is an attitude towards life. I know this may be met with criticism, but biographies like Nelson Mandela’s have shown me that “being free” has much more to do with the inside than the outside. Nevertheless, the outside has an influence – even on me. In the steppe with the animals you have more freedom than in the urban jungle – that’s why I like to go hiking in Germany, spend time in nature and explore the local forests, which also have a lot to offer.
In your new book you go one step further: After you have first found yourself, your marriage should also benefit from your experiences and insights.
My marriage does not benefit from my findings, but from experiences that we have as a couple – even if these are and were also with animals. One of the most beautiful realizations is that it is a great strength for us as a couple that we are different. Because even in a baboon troop there are many different characters – some extroverted, others introverted, some braver, others more shy. While I climb the trees with part of the troop and spot birds of prey, Marc is often on the ground and tends to track down snakes with the animals. Different strengths create different possibilities, perspectives and spaces. The most important thing is to recognize and respect each other’s differences. And that was a shared experience.
You write that you and your husband discovered that “your worlds are not as far apart as you thought.”
Anyone who knows Marc and me knows that we have very different personalities. What unites us is more our values. In other words, what is important to us in life, what inspires us and how we define “a successful life”. This is still not completely identical, but it is very similar, especially in the area of closeness to nature, love of animals and lifestyle.
Can a marriage only work if you are at peace with yourself first? Is that a requirement? This is what is often proclaimed.
I think it’s much more important to know what love really is – which, in the best case, forms the basis of a relationship. Many people enter into a relationship to be “happy, fulfilled, no longer alone” or to feel “important, loved and recognized”. The partner is often instrumentalized for their own happiness, unstable self-esteem or other needs. This means that the most important value of love is lost: respect, i.e. assigning the other person an end in itself. This is no longer the case in many relationships, which is why you can feel restricted or even “lose yourself”. I therefore think that for a healthy relationship it is important that partners reflect on themselves, treat each other as equals and be respectful of one another.
How important are things in common or things that you can take care of together in a relationship? You and your husband seemed very different.
I think more important than having the same taste in music are having the same values. You can go to different concerts, but if you don’t want to follow the same path in life, it will be difficult.
You have decided to donate your author’s fee. What was the motivation for this?
The first step is love for animals. They need more sustainable donation projects. We would therefore like to collect donations and money in as many ways as possible and a book is a great option for a long-term donation and educational project.
Their goal is animal welfare. Do you think it is important to set very specific goals? Is this also a factor for a happy life?
Direction is more important than specific goals because the world is very dynamic. Also the insights we receive (in science) and the problems we face. If you stick to one goal too much, you don’t have much flexibility. If you know your direction, you can adapt.
What other factors are included?
Know your own needs and take them seriously. For me, an adventure with animals is just as important as an afternoon on the sofa with a good novel. People can learn to feel themselves and life again.
If you also want to get involved in animal protection but have no options or don’t want to travel far for other reasons: How can you get involved from Germany?
I advise people to start with something that particularly affects them or with a species of animal that particularly excites them. Because helping hands are also needed in Germany. But the following applies to all animal species: consume more consciously. Simple things that everyone can do are to recycle old technology devices, avoid furniture made from tropical wood and pay attention to palm oil and seasonal fruit or vegetables when shopping. But you should also pay attention to what you like and share on social media. Wild animals in tourism attractions as pets or in dubious circumstances should not be liked, commented on or shared – not even for educational purposes. It is more important to report them to relevant organizations such as SMACC.
Anyone who would like to apply for a volunteer trip with you: What are the chances of being able to take part? What should you pay attention to?
You can put yourself on a waiting list and will then be notified in advance as soon as registration opens. Anyone who registers on the day itself has a good chance, which is why we always provide all information in advance. It is fundamentally important that people are physically fit, motivated and love animals. We will instruct you in everything else.
What goals do you still set for yourself?
Our medium-term goal, which we are currently working on, is a rescue center for injured and orphaned wild animals. I’ll see what comes next as a concrete project. One thing is certain: I will not retire, but will continue to work for the animals as long as I can. Personally, all I really wish is that we stay healthy. We have each other, everything we need and live our crazy lives. I don’t know how it could be better.
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