Power and control

‘For me, power means having a say over my own life’

Six young people on how they leave the feeling of helplessness behind – and redefine strength.
By Pha Croissant

Hannover, 25.06.2023, Nina Freckles

‘I can’t change anything anyway’ – you often hear this when we discuss things that are wrong. Psychology, sociology and social work have recognised and described this feeling of standing there powerless, a plaything of events. Set against it is the concept of empowerment: the process by which individuals free themselves from this felt powerlessness. By discovering room for manoeuvre. And, finally, by overcoming unnecessary dependencies and constraints. In this way, people gain control over their decisions and their actions – and with it a sense of their own self-efficacy. In handwritten notes, six people describe what empowers them in everyday life.

1. Laurin:

‘I think when I feel comfortable, I feel powerful too.’

Hannover, 07.04.2023, Laurin.
What empowers me? I think when I feel comfortable, I feel powerful too – above all, being myself. That can come from all sorts of things, like nice clothes, being in my own four walls or spending time with my friends. That’s how I feel strong. Laurin ♥

2. Nina:

‘When I’m on stage, I feel I’m exactly where I belong.’

Hannover, 25.06.2023, Nina Freckles
Often I don’t feel powerful at all and feel overwhelmed by my thoughts and emotions. When I then write songs about it, I gain power over my insecurities and everything that’s on my mind or weighing on me. But when I’m on stage making music with other people or my band, I feel I’m exactly where I belong. That’s when I feel especially powerful!

3. Konstantin:

‘For me, power also means having a say over my own life.’

Berlin, 22.05.2023, Konstantin
For me, power also means having a say over my own life. After I moved out, in my first flat of my own, I invited a stranger over via Grindr one night for the first time. Without talking, we had really intense, intimate sex, and afterwards we stood on the balcony, naked and smoking, as the sun came up. I remember that feeling of freedom and power – of deciding who I am for whom, when and how. That the way I come across and look is free.

4. Zina:

‘When I play music, I feel so free and loud.’

Hannover, 15.06.2023, Zina
When I play music I feel so free and loud. That’s when I feel most empowered. It’s these small moments that give me control and power. I don’t think there’s anything else that makes me feel like that. Zina

5. Deliah:

‘I have complete faith that whatever is meant to come will come.’

Osnabrück, 10.06.2023, Deliah
Talking to the Almighty! How small my problems seem when I speak to the Lord of the Worlds in prayer. Knowing that in the end everything is in His hands → As a person I always try to do my best in any situation, but what comes of it in the end doesn’t really matter that much to me. I have complete faith that whatever is meant to come will come. So really, it’s my strong trust in God that empowers me.

6. Calvin:

‘Political participation makes me feel empowered.’

Hannover, 15.06.2023 Calvin
What empowers me? Political participation makes me feel empowered. I change things myself and so escape the powerlessness of our generation. Punk, on the other hand, empowers me in a more hedonistic way – I can let loose, dance and switch off.

Recommended by the editors:

TO THE MAGAZINE HOMEPAGE