Research
Sanctuaria Aquatica
This page will go more in depth into the project Sanctuaria Aquatica. Everything mentioned on this page was taken out of the Design document that was written along the way of the project.
2024-2025
Introduction
This design project focuses on helping the surrounding life around the shallow waters of the Netherlands.
The ecosystems of these waters are in danger. The population of the flora and fauna is declining. If this
keeps going on, it will impact the entire ecosystem of the Netherlands. By looking at the reasons for the
problems, seeing which species are impacted the most, solving these problems by helping these species
creatively, I hope to bring a positive effect on the ecosystem and also create awareness and inspire others
to do the same. During this project I’m testing different ways to create a perfect sanctuary for the
surrounding life. I will find out, with help from educated people working in these fields, what kind of
materials, shapes and structures are the best. In order to create a place that betters the quality of life of the
organisms living in these ecosystems.
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Personal substantiation
Science fiction is a concept that I'm very interested in. It fascinates me how different and similar reality
and fantasy can be. Like science fiction does, searching for ways to mix these two worlds is what I love to
do. The world around us can be so weird and at the same time so beautiful.
Insects, for me, are the most extraterrestrial looking creatures on this Earth, and at the same time, they are
the most typical aspects of our earth. My love for evolution is enlarging the love I have for insects. Their
ability to change and evolve relatively quickly compared to other animals is phenomenal. Their way to
keep on designing their bodies to perfection, to serve their purpose and well being, is like no other. It also
almost sounds like fiction if you are describing their ways of living.
At the beginning of this year I was driven by my interests, to do my internship in Ecuador. I worked at the
laboratory of zoology. While working there, studying the local insect species, I learned by observing how
they live and adapt to their environment, that they have a great impact on the entire ecosystem. Even
though they can be microscopically small, they are important. Their size and their looks can make it
difficult for us to see their importance and if they are in danger.
Here in The Netherlands where I live there are already projects to help and protect the insects. The insect
hotels became popular. These can be very helpful to our ecosystem, especially in combination with a
flower garden. What came to my notice is that we’re forgetting the life underwater.
As a kid I sometimes went on outdoor excursions to learn about underwater life in the shallow waters. It
was clear by the many species that there is so much hidden life. After reading different news articles and
studies, I realised that life in these waters is in danger. I will try to help and design something to change
the rapid negative changes.
I would like to use my time for this project to help the species that are in need and cannot ask for help
themselves. I want to use my creativity and passion for nature to think about ways to make interventions
in the affected areas. I want to study the best ways to design something that has a positive outcome on the
ecosystem. Simply because I'm interested in these systems and want to protect them. I hope by creating
something achievable, I can inspire others to do the same on their own level and create awareness to
mankind that these areas are something beautiful and worth conserving.
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My goals
My main goal is to give a gift to nature. I want to make a suitable living place for the target groups. The
perfect living space needs to contain all the solutions for all the current problems.
The perfect sanctuary needs a sufficient amount of cover that provides shelter, while also keeping the
species supplied with enough suitable water during the dry summer months. These sanctuaries could also
help clean the water from all the pollution.
Keeping these goals in mind, I am optimally driven in the right direction to create a good design. If during
my research I come in contact with a new goal that is more important, I will look for ways to change the
current design.
I will follow the way of thinking that the wellbeing of the ecosystem is most important. I need to have a
non-human design mentality so I really understand what is most important. I want to make a positive
intervention to the ecosystems, without unbalancing it.
Anything else such as creating awareness and making it a marketable product is something that I would
like to achieve, but it’s not my main goal and it isn’t my priority.
My personal goal as a designer is to see if the biodesign branch is something for me. Because this is my
final project of my study of product design at the art academy, I want to figure out what the best way is
for me to move forward. I want to step into the workfield of design.
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Current problems
Drought
In recent years, drought has become a significant issue in the Netherlands due to increasingly dry and hot
summers. These prolonged periods of high temperatures lead to the evaporation of water in shallow
ecosystems, reducing the availability of water that many aquatic species rely on for survival. Seasonal
droughts disrupt breeding cycles, cause habitat loss and can lead to the death of vulnerable species.
Efforts to combat the drought in these areas may include better water management, such as bettering the
water storage systems. However, these large-scale measures can be insufficient due to the growing
demand for freshwater, especially during the dry periods, by agriculture, livestock and the growing
population.
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Pollution
Pollution is another critical threat to the health of shallow water ecosystems. Industrial waste, agricultural
runoff, and household sewage releases harmful substances into the environment.
Harsh chemicals in pesticides and fertilizers that are being used for agriculture end up into nearby waters
during rainfall.
Additionally, industrial waste and household sewage that may include human waste infected by bacteria
or medication, can also cause problems. Research shows that bacteria from sewages can create algal
blooms. These blooms deplete oxygen levels in the water, creating unlivable conditions, suffocating the
other aquatic organisms. “Bacteria and other organisms in freshwater use oxygen to metabolize the
sewage they accompany. While breaking down the sewage, these micro-organisms can cause hypoxic
(oxygen-depleted) dead zones. These dead zones lack oxygen that fish and other native organisms need to survive’’ (Blaettler, 2022). Other studies show that some medications like birth control can even lead to hormonal changes to underwater life. “Algen die minder eetbaar worden, met hongerige watervlooien en vissen tot gevolg. Waterdieren die ongewild van geslacht veranderen. Of vissen op trektocht die hun paaiplaats niet goed kunnen vinden. Dat is het effect dat resten van geneesmiddelen op het leven in het water hebben’’ (NIOO, 2016). We have to find ways to keep the pollutional aspects out of the surrounding ecosystem. This is something that has to be done on an immense large scale. Outside of solving the big problem, people are trying to improve the already infected waters, by using for example water filtration systems.
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Lack of cover
Shallow waters often suffer from a lack of natural vegetation due to human interventions aimed at
creating a "tidy" appearance. Regular trimming or the removal of reeds and grasses leaves these habitats
uninhabitable. The trimming at the incorrect times also can reduce and disrupt the natural cycles of
reproduction of these plants.
Most of the newly created waters are being made without the underwater life in mind. They are made in
an uniform and open shape, without any additionally planted native aquatic plants.
This lack of cover increases the stress levels of aquatic organisms, by exposing them to predators and
extreme environmental conditions. For example, too much UV light from the sun can warm up the water.
An increase in the diversity of native bankside and aquatic plant species, simply increases the diversity of
the native animals. It also provides cover, food, and a place to ledge their eggs onto. This makes it crucial
to have enough shelter.
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Target groups
All these current problems show how almost every surrounding species ends up being in danger, some are
hit by every problem that I mentioned. These targeted groups live around bodies of water like ponds,
pools, ditches, swamps, rivers and canals. I spoke with the ecologist Isabelle Bense and she told me that
the aquatic insects and amphibians are at this moment the most critically in need of help. That is because
other animals like birds rely on them. They stand at the bottom of the food chain in the animal kingdom,
that is why they are extra important. If they disappear, everything will disappear with them.
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material studies
During my design project I am researching what materials to use for the sanctuary. I also want the
materials to be ethically sourced and not be harmful to the environment. The sanctuaries can be made out
of multiple materials in order to solve all the problems. I have to think about the lifetime and the
resistance of the materials against different seasons and weather effects. By experimenting and working
with different materials I can figure out which ones are the most suitable and sustainable.
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Mycelium
Mycelium is good for giving nutrients to plants and for filtering and breaking down the harsh chemicals,
while also being biodegradable. “Mycofiltration is an environment friendly technology which involves the
treatment of contaminated water by passing it through a network of fungal mycelium” (Mnkandla, 2021).
Although it has a lot of benefits, the lifetime of the mycelium in water is very short. If you have a thick
block around 10 cm wide, it will roughly take around five months for it to completely dissolve (I assume
this lifetime is short compared to the time that is needed for it to break down harsh chemicals and supply
aquatic plants to grow solid roots from its nutrients). Mycelium also tends to float on water.
The material mycelium needs to be combined with other materials that contain cellulose, like straw and
rotan.
I experimented with weaving a basket out of rotan and submerging it with mycelium. The experiment shows that the mycelium can be used in different ways. With weaving material I can
create objects in different shapes that also bind with the mycelium. The possibility of combining materials
gives the design a longer lifetime. Once the mycelium dissolves in water, the woven structure will stay
behind for longer.
Mycelium takes a long time to produce yourself. It can go wrong very easily. For me it’s an interesting
new material and there is a lot more to learn about it. I would like to find a way to use mycelium in the
next few months of my project.
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Willow branches
When I experimented with the material rotan, I was fascinated by the craft of weaving. I found this to be
very relaxing and I enjoy the freedom of creating structures with this kind of ease.
I want to see if I can make these sanctuaries by using this method. I want to create a structure that is stable
and big. Which can be easier done with willow branches. These can be used for weaving and create a big stable structure. The work of Will Beckers for example shows that it can be done on a large scale.
I need to find out if this material is suitable for being used as the structure of the sanctuaries. If the fresh
branches are put in water, it will sprout roots. When I plant it into the bottom of the shallow waters, with
the top of these branches sticking out of the water, it can stay alive and will keep on growing. The ends of
these branches will grow leaves. It will provide more cover for the surrounding life. The sanctuaries
would really come alive. I think this would be very beneficial for the ecosystem, because the willow tree
is a native tree that naturally lives close to a body of water. This will not disrupt the ecosystem, but will in
fact support it. Achieving that will be a dream come true.
There are projects active right now in the waters of the Netherlands that are also using willow branches.
“Om de sepia's een handje te helpen, plaatsen duikers wilgentenen in de bodem waarop ze hun eitjes kwijt kunnen” (NOB, 2021). The branches that are being planted on the bottom of these waters are
helping the cuttlefishes to reproduce and place their eggs without stress.
In my opinion willow branches are for now the best way to create the sanctuaries. Collecting these
branches can be done locally. Because the branches are normally seen as a waste product when you’re
trimming your willow trees, you can easily get them for free. They also regrow every year. But there are
challenging parts about it, like the branches tend to float on water if they are not planted into the ground.
The willows are being trimmed once every year in the winter. The branches are one year old, so they are
thin and easy to bend.
I made a deal with the contractor of the vegetation maintenance of my town, that I could get willow
cutting for free. This was planned for January but it’s being postponed to February.
This deal I find wonderful. These willow trees are very close to where I live. They are very old and I used
to pass by them when I was cycling to primary school. This makes these branches very special to me.
I had to wait 2 months for them to cut these willows. So in the meantime I was looking for alternatives. I
found on the internet someone that had some cuttings left. After picking it up, I could try and get a feel on
working with willows. I could start to learn how to weave with willow. It turns out that it’s a lot different
than weaving with rotan.
Working with willow is something I find very pleasing. I have such a respect for the material. It took the
plant so much energy to produce. For a whole year these branches have been growing, swaying in the
wind, providing a place for bugs to climb on and birds to sit and sing on.
The character is being shown by the little details you can see on the branches. Sometimes these branches
have scars or poop stains.
I want all this history of energy and life to be saved and not go to waste. By using this material in my
project it will have a new purpose in the same environment. Most of the branches that are getting trimmed
will not be thrown away and will all be used.
I think that this material really shows who I am as a designer and shows that I like to work with respect
and awareness of my surroundings. The childly love of being in nature and playing with the natural
resources is what I love the most. As a designer I always try to combine this passion with the product that
I design.
Looking at tutorials online on how to weave with willow has helped me a lot. I will try to speak with as
many local weavers as I can find, to talk about how I can weave the sanctuaries the easiest. This craft is
being forgotten, and there are just few people left with this as a profession. It is lovely to dive into the
world of basket weaving. This practice is very ancient and is worth keeping alive. That is something that I
have learned during my project! Working with willow is a craft on its own. Learning how to handle the
branches and creating a sturdy weave will be a challenge. Something I hope to get the hang on during my
project.
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Shape studies
For the design of the sanctuaries, I want to explore which shapes are optimal for aquatic species. I expect
to draw out significant inspiration from coral structures. I plan to replicate these designs by using
ceramics. I believe these coral inspired shapes should have plenty of hiding spots, made out of small
niches, passageways and corners.
I have put the ceramic sculptures that I made in aquariums with aquatic plants to see if the plants and
algae will bind with the textures of the ceramics. In the future I would like to see the interaction between
these shapes with the underwater life. This is also important to see with the weaving textures. I need to
find a place in nature where I can put it temporarily and document it easily, or get a real aquarium and
make a stable ecosystem similar to the one in the wild. That will make the study more reliable.
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For now I believe that for the shape it is most important to be as complex as possible. It needs to have as
much texture as possible, microscopically, but also in the big general shapes. It needs to be easy for plants
to latch onto and form roots. It also needs to be modularly shaped in different varieties so you can use it in
different sizes and depths of water. By making it round, you can put together multiple sanctuaries, while
leaving enough space open in between for sunlight.
The best shapes possible with willow will be a combination of closed organic forms. That's why I will
construct the sanctuaries out of a big structural base. Which is around the size of 1 cubic meter. Later I
will add on smaller woven chambers, in order to create one big connected space made out of different
sized rooms. Kind of like an anthill. Every chamber will be woven out of a different size of willow
branches. Every chamber will also get a different size of entry. This will create special spaces only
available for specific types of species. This will make the sanctuary safe for every surrounding species
because they don't have to watch out for predators.
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The inspiration for the shape of the top part of the sanctuary, the raft that stays on top of the water, came
from the rafts made for nesting of the black tern.
“Bijna alle zwarte sterns in Nederland broeden op kunstmatige nestvlotjes. Er zijn verschillende typen in omloop. De kwaliteit van de vlotjes is belangrijk voor een goed broedsucces” (Vogelbescherming Nederland, 2025). It is important for these birds to nest on a safe bed on top of the water. The chicks need the mobility to enter the water, and get up on the nest easily. That’s why the top of the sanctuary is shaped like a ramp. To create a shape suitable for birds to nest on is a great bonus. Birds such as the black tern are also affected and in danger due to lack of cover. They have trouble finding enough places to build their nest onto. Building suitable rafts for them is very important.
The black stern is also endangered by martens and foxes. They often eat the chicks. Biologists that create
the rafts are now researching ways to protect them against predators with fences around the rafts. This
research shows that is an effective way to keep out the predators.
I hope that, after the willow gets roots into the soil, the tips of the willow branches will grow longer up
into the sky, and will create a natural barrier around the nest like the fences.
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Alternative design: DIY kit
I want to keep an open mind in my creative process. I will focus mainly on the sanctuaries, but when that
process is on hold, I want to design other similar products. This keeps me as a designer motivated. I tend
to get a little bored when I need to do the same tasks for too long. And when I get new ideas I need to
make them come to life.
One of the alternatives that I'm working on is a product that makes it possible for people from all ages to
make an underwater insect hotel for themselves.
The box may contain a do-it-yourself kit to grow a small insect hotel out of mycelium. The other option is
for the customer to build it out of wood and recycled plastic bottles. You can customize it and place it in
your pond. While building it, the people are learning about how to work with natural materials. Once it
has been built and put in the pond, they can remove the lid to see what lives inside. They can look at all
the little creatures and learn about the importance of the ecosystem of their ponds.
The kit will include an instruction book with a guide that shows step by step on how to build it. It will
also include a stylingbook. The stylingbook will include different inspirational combinations of organic
material to put into your chambers, depending on what species you want to attract.
On the packaging it will also include a message for the customers to share their own creative interior
styling and their species-findings on social media by using a certain hashtag. This will help with the
research to see how effective it is and create awareness and media attention to underwater life.
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Design conclusion
During my project I have to make certain choices in order to proceed. I encourage myself by trying to
solve the biggest problems, while not creating new ones. Because these sanctuaries are a gift for nature, I
have to weigh out which choices give the best positive impact.
After doing the research, I decided to prioritize solving the problem of the lack of cover. This problem is
impacting the surrounding life in a direct way. The other problems are also very problematic but are not as
easily solved. The problem of drought for example can be fixed by making tiny water reservoirs in the
sanctuaries, but compared to the large scale water management in my province and the unstable climates
it will most likely have a very small impact on the surrounding life.
I will still try to find the best solutions, but by putting my focus and priority on the lack of cover problem,
I hope to be more effective.
After doing enough research for my design, I can confidently end the designing research and start with
producing the sanctuaries. The research was focussed on finding the most optimal design to improve the
life of the shallow waters. I researched it by looking for the best materials and shapes. I experimented
with different materials like mycelium, rotan and willow. I luckily figured out the best way to make these
sanctuaries. The best material is with willow branches. And the best shape for this material is in a woven
pattern, in an organic form.
But making it is not the only thing that needs to be done. I need my design after it has been made, to work
with nature. The goal to lessen these problems can only succeed with a lot of time. This makes it harder to
study and experiment. After it has been made I will place it somewhere in the targeted areas. Then I have
to document how it interacts with nature (I will explain the research in more detail in my plan of
execution). I need to take samples periodically, to see what animals use it. I have to observe the state of
the sanctuary. This will most likely take months. By sharing this information with biologists I hope to
conclude its effect. Then I will find out how well it will actually work. Maybe it will be a negative change
for the targeted species, but be a perfect space for invasive species. If this will be the case then I will need
to decide if I need to change it and how.
Nature can sometimes be unexpectable. It is something non-human that we cannot communicate directly
with. I can now only try to calculate how to design it the best. By putting my mind into the perspective of
nature. This way of thinking I did throughout the entirety of my project. I often think only aesthetically
how something needs to look. I had to let that go because it’s not important for nature. This was hard in
the beginning, and I still tend to try and make things look neat like while I’m weaving.
Keeping the non-human design in my mind while designing is crucial. When I’m done with the building
process I will let go of my design, and let nature do its job. Whatever happens, as long as it gives a
positive change to the overall ecosystem of the waters, I will be content with my project. This project will
go on for many years I hope, and along the way I will still try and optimize the design to make it more
effective.
Plan of execution
Installation plans
In the next few months I will finish building the sanctuary. I will speak with professional weavers to guide
me along the way. I hope to have created 2 or 3 prototypes. I have collected enough material and I think I
have enough room for errors. Asking for sponsorships from nature protecting corporations will give me
the chance to create even more in the future. Maybe there are professional weavers that can help me
produce this quicker and better.
I hope to negotiate with my local government of Zeewolde, to be able to place them in the local shallow
waters. Because I worked with a few people from the local government, I hope to have taken their trust
and attention. I believe this will give me a better opportunity for negotiation.
One of them was the ecologist Isabelle Bense. I spoke to her about how I could pursue the local
government to let me place the sanctuaries. She gave me tips about what is important when installing
landart on public grounds. It for example needs to be installed sturdy. The sanctuaries should not be able
to decay easily or leave litter. People should not be able to easily steal the sanctuaries.
I also have to understand the spending habits of the local government. They are keen to invest in smaller
installations like insect hotels rather than big expensive interventions. Therefore I hope, by asking the
right people, I will be able to install it in the public waters.
Before I install the sanctuaries, I need to make a sign to place on the shore. This will include information
about the sanctuaries. The installment will be a big event for me and I would like to invite my friends and
family. I will also contact the local newspapers. By getting an article, I hope to make more awareness
about my project to the people around me.
I am planning on making one sanctuary that I will dry out and keep out of the water. The willow branches
can be rehydrated again and placed in the waters later in the future. It is important for me, in these early
stages of my project, to have one model that I can easily show at expositions. I want to use it for my
graduation exposition this June, and at the Dutch Design Week this fall. I hope to participate in such a big
exposition, so I can meet more designers that work in the fields of Biodesign. I hope that with my project
I can step into that world of design. By then I will have done more thorough research about my
sanctuaries and I will be able to share that information with biologists.
Another occupation I will invest my time in these next few months is the underwater insect hotel building
kit. I would like to produce multiple boxes that I can sell at my expositions. I will also try to get
sponsorships from nature protecting corporations. If this works out well, and there is a large demand for
it, I need to find a way to produce and sell it on a larger scale. To sell it at local garden centres for
example.
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Research plans
I am participating in the HKU Biodesign Challenge. Starting from March I get to speak with biologists
every week. I’m excited in learning more about this and being able to have consistent conversations with
biologists. They will guide me in pursuing the correct research. For now I have created a plan of approach
for myself.
I want to monitor the changes and impact it has on the surroundings. Before the sanctuaries will get
placed I need to take snapshots of the surroundings. The snapshots before need to be taken the same way
as the snapshots after the installation, in order to keep the research reliable. Every 2 weeks a snapshot will
take place, starting as soon as possible after I’ve gained certainty to install it. I can also try and take the
same type of samples at a different body of water close by without a sanctuary. By that I can see the
difference it makes in a longer period of time.
The snapshots will consist of monitoring water samples and the surrounding activity.
The water sample is done by using a small fishnet. I will look at the type of species and in what quantity. I
will take the samples in these specific areas:
- The water surrounding the sanctuary. It has to be around a 50 cm radius from the sanctuary. You
need to use the fishnet in the top and bottom part of the water.
The water inside the sanctuary. This includes the space underneath the top raft. Some chambers
will have large openings for the fishnet to get into. In order to also take the samples there.
- The water close the the shore. Around 3 samples at random locations of the same body of water
of the sanctuary.
- The water in the most middle and deep area of the body of water.
- I will also have to monitor the activity of life surrounding the
sanctuaries.
Every snapshot I will sit close by for half an hour to monitor the activity of the land animals. I will look between a radius of around 20 meters, and look at the type of species and in what quantity. I can also place a night vision motion activated camera, to see the land animals interact with them.
Every snapshot I need to monitor the surrounding factors that may impact the samples, such as the weather, time of day or seasons.
Taking all the information I get by taking the snapshots, and putting it in graphs, I hope to come to a conclusion that the sanctuaries improve the surrounding ecosystem. I need to see a clear change and growth on the amount of biodiversity of the target groups. With an overall growth of at least 5% is a goal I would like to achieve.
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Personal process
I want to document all the personal changes I make during this project, to see what I have learned as a
designer.
Starting this journey I only came with a state of mind to create something with joy and pride. And be open
to learning more about that what interests me. I learned from my internship that I mostly enjoy working
with nature. I, as a designer, want to give attention to the beauty and weirdness of the world.
I think that with my graduating project I have succeeded in my manifestations. I am proud of my project
and so far I have really enjoyed working on it. I have learned a lot on the way, that made me more aware
of who I am as a designer.
My personal goal was to figure out if the world of Biodesign is good for me in the future, jobwise. I can
happily confirm and say that it is the place for me. I really enjoy doing thorough scientific research. I
would love to keep on working with nature and learn a lot more about it. As a designer I mostly want to
create products with a function. If it is to help nature for example, I need to be able to do proper research.
This would make my products a lot more reliable. That's why I believe it's very relevant for me to know
how to correctly do scientific research. I came to the conclusion that I want to study biology, more
specifically environmental ecology. I’m happy to have found a suitable route for my academic journey. It
was a question that I was stuck with for a long time.
I have learned that working for a non-human purpose, such as improving the ecosystem, is very fulfilling
because you work altruistically, and I feel like I’m doing something positive for the world. I think this is
very important for me as a person and as a designer.
I want to spend the rest of my life learning as much as possible, especially about our world. That’s why I
want to keep on pursuing my academic journey. Finding a good job is important but I don’t want that goal
to impact my freedom and academic interests, which is biology at the moment.
While having an entire year to design something out of my own interests, I’ve come to a realization that
this freedom in work is wonderful. Getting the chance to design what I want without any restrictions
makes me mentally at peace. This freedom motivates me to just create.
During my previous projects, I was stuck in my head most of the time. I made a lot of barriers for myself,
worrying about failing right from the start. It was me that was holding me back the most, because I
needed it to be perfect for the people that assigned the project. I have learned now that this freedom
motivates me to work outside of my head, that when I do have an assigned project, it is okay to fail and
just start making.
The other thing I have learned about working with so much free time and freedom is that it’s very difficult
to schedule and follow good work regulations. Staying at home is very easy and tempting. I have been
struggling with a mild screen addiction lately, so all this free time does not lead to a productive attitude. I
see in my surroundings that I’m not the only one dealing with this and for the new year's resolutions I
have made a promise with my mom that we would keep our screen times limited and correct each other if
we notice a lot of usage. ​
I have worked outside my comfort zone during this project. What is hard for me is asking people for help.
I also do not tend to create big. I usually like to work very small and detailed. Now I’m working with a lot
of material. I still see that I’m not as comfortable as working smaller. I think it's because of the attention
that it draws. But for this project it’s important to draw attention. I know that it’s okay for it to draw
attention and be something big and loud, but in a certain way it makes me feel a little vulnerable. I easily
feel worried about seeming too obnoxious, but that is never the case if I look at artists that create big too.
I think the shyness is mainly from being insecure about my art, I can easily be too hard on myself and
think it’s not good enough. But now that I have created something big and feel very comfortable about it,
I can be proud to show it. I’m not feeling as shy of my work as I used to be. I still think it can improve but
I’ve learned not to be so hard on myself. Not being too hard on myself, not only as a designer but as a
person, is something that I am improving day by day. I’m learning to accept myself for who I am, and
accepting the things I can and can’t control.