Ambassador's Story #1: JIEUN

JIEUN

A Community Organizer Supporting Young People

“I work with young people to explore what it means to ‘live well’ at this stage in life.”

Jieun describes herself as a "community organizer" with a mission to create supportive spaces for young people. She collaborates with local organizations to plan and manage youth-centered initiatives, such as volunteering projects and book clubs, that help participants feel a sense of accomplishment and belonging. Her journey wasn’t always smooth—after struggling with depression during Korea’s competitive university admissions process, Jieun found hope through a youth entrepreneurship contest. This experience sparked a desire to support others like her: young people facing isolation or low self-esteem. Routinery played a pivotal role in her recovery. Using the app, Jieun built small but meaningful habits that helped her regain confidence, including writing a gratitude journal—a routine she continues to this day. Now, Jieun is passionate about empowering young people through community activities. She is working on new projects with Routinery to show others how small habits can lead to big changes, helping them build routines that inspire confidence and personal growth.

Please introduce yourself, Jieun.

It’s a bit hard to sum it up in one sentence, but I would call myself a "community organizer" dedicated to supporting young people. I focus on organizing youth-centered initiatives and collaborating with local organizations to create spaces where they can connect, grow, and build confidence. Additionally, I work as a freelance content creator, planning brand-related projects..

Why do you focus on youth gatherings specifically?

In Korea, most people aim to enter a university at the age of 20. I worked hard and faced many challenges to prepare for university, but the outcome didn’t meet my expectations. This led me into a deep depression, where I felt so lethargic that I couldn’t even meet friends.

Unexpectedly, I entered a youth entrepreneurship contest and won an award. That small step gave me a sense of confidence, and as I began planning and managing projects, I started to see others like me—young people feeling isolated and discouraged. This made me want to create opportunities for them to regain their confidence and build meaningful connections.

What kind of youth do you work with, and what activities do you do?

Most of the youth I work with are in their early 20s, navigating transitional phases like preparing for university, searching for their first job, or taking a gap year. Many of them feel isolated or lack confidence during these times, which is why I focus on creating programs tailored to their needs.

For example, I collaborated with a local volunteer center to design a youth volunteering project, which aimed to help participants feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment through meaningful work. I also organized a cultural exchange program with youth from the Philippines, fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. Additionally, I planned a book talk event featuring local young authors to encourage creative expression and dialogue within the community.

On top of these initiatives, I’ve been running a book club for over a year in partnership with a bookstore in Seoul’s Seocho District. This club is specifically for young people, encouraging them to rediscover their productivity and creativity through reading.

What does being a "community organizer" mean to you personally?

Another reason I became a community organizer was a deeply personal loss. Two years ago, I lost a close friend to depression. It was a deeply personal loss that made me realize how easily struggles can go unnoticed. Reflecting on this, I felt compelled to focus on supporting young people who might be feeling isolated or overwhelmed.

As a community organizer, I see my role as creating safe and supportive spaces where young people can reconnect with themselves and with others. To better understand how to support them, I started studying research papers and attending conferences about youth experiencing social withdrawal and isolation. This eventually led to an opportunity to work with a local youth center, where I organized a book club for young adults entering the workforce.

At first, many participants were grappling with feelings of uncertainty and concerns about their future. However, as we progressed, participants began to find stability and a sense of belonging. Witnessing these changes has reinforced my belief in the importance of creating communities where young people can thrive.

To me, being a community organizer means giving others the tools and opportunities to feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s not just about organizing activities; it’s about creating a ripple effect of positive change in the lives of those who might otherwise feel left behind.

Before becoming a community organizer, you also overcame depression. What helped you?

During my struggles, I realized I couldn’t keep living the way I was. I searched for “habit” in the App Store and tried several apps, but most were too complicated. That’s when I found Routinery. Its simple, user-friendly design and calming yellow logo caught my attention.

I started small, creating habits like tidying up my desk or writing a gratitude journal. Completing even these tiny tasks gave me a sense of accomplishment, which eventually helped me recover and reconnect with life.

Building habits and routines is challenging for anyone. Did you do anything special?

At first, even simple tasks like waking up early or writing a gratitude journal felt impossible. I reached out to friends and said, “We need to do something about this.” We formed a small group to hold each other accountable by sharing progress through chats. Knowing others were watching pushed me to keep going for at least a week, and that turned into months. Now, we encourage each other with things like exercise routines, and it’s been incredible to see how far we’ve come.

What routines did you start with?

I started with very small tasks, like tidying up or setting an alarm. Completing even these simple goals gave me a sense of achievement. Over time, I’ve adapted my routines to fit my needs better, continuously tweaking them to suit my lifestyle.

What does having a routine mean to you?

It’s my life force. Routines give me the energy and structure to live each day fully.

Do you have a routine you want to maintain for life?

Writing a gratitude journal. It may seem small, but it gives me strength, especially during tough times.

Any tips for writing gratitude journals?

When I don’t have anything specific to write, I jot down simple things like, “I’m grateful to be alive” or “I’m thankful for clean air.” Since I’m a people-oriented person, I often write about the people I’ve met and what I’ve learned from them.

Who would you recommend creating routines to?

I’d recommend building routines to anyone who feels isolated or struggles with low self-esteem. Even small routines can lead to meaningful satisfaction and confidence.

As an ambassador, how do you want to collaborate with Routinery?

I’d love to integrate Routinery into community projects as an ambassador. For example, I’m considering a “One-Month Commitment” project, inspired by the Korean saying, “deciding something only to give up after three days.” The idea is to help young people stay consistent and achieve their goals over a month by building habits together. While it’s still in the idea phase, I think it would be exciting to bring this to life with Routinery.