Having lived in Florence since 2010, I know my way around here pretty well by now and I know what places manage to maintain a high standard throughout time. I’ve come to make a selection of places that I just know are always there when you need them; a good cup of coffee, a perfect […]

Me at 9.30am, looking at my schedule for the day: English lesson at 12pm, coffee meeting at 2.30pm, walking coaching session at 4pm and an aperitivo with a friend at 8.30pm. Phone lights up: “Sorry my English teacher, I cannot do my lesson today, I have a meeting. I contact you. Good day.” Alright, I […]

It all started with a breakdown. A moment in which I crossed my own boundaries and betrayed my partner of six years. It was a painful wakeup call which showed me the crystal clear truth: that I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t enjoying life anymore. I wasn’t really living. This moment of turmoil turned a separation […]

When I decided to move to Florence, Italy in 2010 I had no idea how much it would impact not only my life, but also my personality. I’m a completely different person now because of everything I’ve been through. I’ve had to adapt, change and creatively find ways to survive here. I’ve had to do […]

“Wow, you live in Italy? That must be such a dream life!” “Why on earth have you moved to Italy from the land of perfection Holland?” Two things I hear often; the first from people who don’t live in Italy, but love it, the second from people who live here and hate it. They are […]

“Well, that’s just impossible.” How often have you heard your dear parents, your best friends or your kind colleagues say this when you were talking about your big, bold dream? Better question yet: how often have you heard yourself say this? My heart sinks when I think of how many dreams have died because of […]

Living in Florence is many people’s dream, but actually making it happen – and making it work is a whole different kind of story. I can tell because I’ve been making it work since 2010 and can call myself a rather weathered Florentine expat. And the weather hasn’t always been bright and sunny the way […]

Holland has never really made sense to me. Instead of lifting my spirits up, it took them down. Instead of nurturing me, it drained me. Instead of flourishing, I was wilting. I felt more and more out of place; I was that weird woman who didn’t fit in because she wanted more than the nine-to-five, […]