Hi! My name is Ilse. I am a writer, filmmaker, enthusiastic listener, philosopher and anthropologist: all of which I summarize as ‘storyteller’. I have an eternal fascination with people and how they relate to themselves, to each other and to the world. I love meeting new people, hearing their stories, experiencing cultures and learning new ways of thinking and new ways of living. Although I officially studied 'philosophy' and 'cultural 'anthropology' I prefer to say that I study philosophies – plural.

Philosophies
It was in Luang Prabang, Laos where I first learned that the word philosophy does not have a universal meaning. I was in Luang Prabang for a five-week internship in 2019. In my free time, I regularly visited a center where travelers, expats and English-speakers can speak with young Laotians. This center enabled young Laotians to practice their English and engage in a mutual cultural exchange with foreigners through conversations. Every time I went to the center I learned new things – about the people I was speaking with, the culture I was immersing myself in, but also (and maybe mostly) about myself.

During my first few visits I learned about the different possible interpretations of the word philosophy. It turns out that it is a pretty western phenomenon to study 'philosophy' in university. Hence, when I would tell a young Laotian that I studied philosophy, I would get a slightly surprised look and then the question ‘What is your philosophy of life?’. Their surprised look would be answered with me staring at them blankly, surprised. I could sort of grasp what they were asking, but I did not understand it completely. Let alone that I could properly answer the question. It was only through hearing their philosophies of life that I came to understand – over time – what it entailed. And I came to learn what was mine.

So what is a philosophy of life?
A philosophy of life, as I interpret it now, is a way of viewing life and a way of living life. My philosophy of life determines and explains how I experience life. To this day I find it difficult for myself to say my philosophy of life in one comprehensive sentence. How do I describe my experience of the world, my understanding of what life and its meaning is, and my core values that I try to adhere to while living? Trying to describe my philosophy of life in words already seems counterintuitive for me because it is so complex, dynamic and all-compassing that it cannot be accurately described with mere words. To me a philosophy of life can only be experienced – through image, art, music, dance, poetry; a philosophy of life can only be captured through stories.

​As a storyteller and a passionate traveler, I am deeply fascinated by the wide range of philosophies of life from people around the world. Through my work I try to capture inspiring stories and conversations to put into words and visualize different philosophies of life.

My philosophy of life
My philosophy of life is that all human beings are different, but that we are also in many ways the same. Everywhere in the world humans eat, sleep and do their laundry, and all humans love and laugh, or long to do so. I love people and with the stories that I capture I aim to show the differences and similarities of people around the world, and the differences and similarities of their philosophies of life. I hope that both these dimensions will inspire a deeper connection with ourselves, each other and with our natural environment.