I'm Lauren, a 40-year-old German woman with a pretty average life story. I've lived most of my life in small towns near the coast of Germany, where the air is crisp and the sea air smells like salt and seaweed. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the ocean, and spent countless hours exploring tide pools, watching seagulls soar overhead, and feeling the sand between my toes.

As a kid, I loved playing in the waves with my siblings, building sandcastles, and collecting seashells to display on our living room coffee table. My parents were always supportive of my love for nature, encouraging me to explore and learn as much as possible about the world around me.

When I turned 18, I left home to study environmental science at university in Hamburg. It was a big change from my small coastal town, but I loved the city's energy and diversity. I spent my free time volunteering at local wildlife refuges, hiking through nearby forests, and attending music festivals on the beach.

After graduating, I landed a job as an environmental consultant for a large corporation based in Berlin. It was a challenging role, but I enjoyed working with people who shared my passion for sustainability and conservation.

Nowadays, you can find me back home in Germany, where I've settled down to start a family of my own. My partner is also passionate about the environment, and we spend our free time exploring local nature reserves, hiking, and practicing yoga together. What about you? What's your story?