I always felt I was a little different from all the other kids. I loved climbing trees and sit there by myself, wondering about life. I craved for deep conversation, but didn’t know where to start. I loved touching the tree trunk, smelling the grass roots and just lying on the floor, belly down, connecting […]
It happens when I drive up the hill towards our farmhouse in the Tuscan countryside: butterflies bubble up in my stomach and I look around at the majestic mountains – making me think of Jurassic park sometimes – and I’m just in awe. I live here. I actually live here. This is so many people’s […]
We are human beings; we grow, we evolve, we change. And so, it’s very normal that when you’re dedicated to living your best life, you change ALL THE TIME. Many people see change as something bad; as if you “don’t know what you want.” I know exactly what I want. That’s why I change. I’ve […]
Looking at her made my breathing go shallow. Her whole demeanour shouted restraint, self-criticism, anxiety and yet she thought she was hiding it so well underneath that forced smile, that nonchalant masculine attitude and that layer of just a little bit too much body fat. She thought nobody noticed how she was beating herself up […]
I knew I was in for a ride; I knew life would be different; I knew I’d had to be flexible and adapt. I didn’t know EVERYTHING would be new. From exciting transportation, to a different sleep schedule, from new eating habits to a change in quantity of quality time, from the different temperatures to […]
If I saw this title back when I still was stuck in anxiety disorder, I’d feel shocked. And I’d open the post and read it. And that’s why I named it so, because it’s the only way to reach women in a similar situation and share the following message of hope. Dear, dear precious, tiny […]
I’m afraid I’ve become a little too Italian after eight years of living in Florence, Italy. I’m Dutch and we’re known for being fun, yet cold, extremely practical and straightforward (read: blunt). Italians are known for being warm, creative (a positive way to describe disorganised) with a great sense for aesthetics (they like fare una […]
I suffered from anxiety disorder for seven long years. Being stuck in your mind, battling your own scary thoughts and trying to stay sane is a condition I wouldn’t even wish my worst enemy. It literally sucks the life force out of you and I remember looking like a fraction of who I really was. […]
Life in Italy is not for everyone. It requires a lot of psychological flexibility, perseverance and adaptation abilities. On the other hand, if you’re a woman on a mission and are willing to do whatever it takes to make your dream of living in Italy come true, then nothing can get in your way, right? […]
I’m writing this post to my past self. The girl that was stuck in severe anxiety and nearly killed herself by wanting to do everything perfectly. That girl that felt she needed to be special, to do her utmost best and be a kind of prodigy in order to be deemed normal, to be accepted, […]
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 […]
“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 […]
