Miss la diva

When people hear that I moved to Germany, they often imagine an exciting adventure. And in some ways, it was. But the reality was very different from what I expected. At the age of 34, I decided to leave the Netherlands and move to Germany. I was looking for something different. I wanted to experience another country, another culture and step outside of my comfort zone. What I didn't realise at the time was how much that decision would change me. I moved to Braunlage, a small village in the Harz Mountains, close to what used to be East Germany. It was beautiful. Mountains everywhere. Nature all around me. But it was also incredibly quiet. Too quiet. The first thing I struggled with was the language. I spoke some German, but the local dialect was very different from the German I had learned. Conversations were difficult and building friendships wasn't easy. The culture was different too. Where I lived, people were much more reserved than I was used to in the Netherlands. People ...

  A few years ago, if someone had asked me how I felt about turning 45, I honestly wouldn't have known what to say. When I was younger, I never really thought about getting older. I wasn't counting down the years or making plans for what my life would look like at 45. To be honest, there were even moments when I wondered if I would ever reach this age. And now that I am here? I love it. Not because life is perfect. Not because I have everything figured out. And certainly not because I never make mistakes. I still have goals. I still want to become fitter. I still have dreams I want to achieve. But I feel comfortable with myself in a way I never did when I was younger. One of the biggest changes is that I genuinely do not care much about what other people think anymore. When you're young, there is so much pressure. You worry about your appearance. You worry about fitting in. You compare yourself to others. You wonder if you're doing enough. Looking back, I spent far too ...

  Happiness does not always come from big moments. Sometimes it is found in the simple things we experience every day. Over the years, I have learned that happiness means different things to different people. For me, it is not about having a perfect life. It is about appreciating the little moments that make life beautiful. Here are 10 things that make me happy. 1. Walking In The Park One of my favourite things to do is take a walk in the park. It gives me time to think, clear my mind and enjoy nature. Sometimes the best ideas come to me while I am walking. 2. Writing And Blogging Writing has always been one of my biggest passions. It allows me to express myself, share my experiences and connect with people from all over the world. 3. Travelling I love discovering new places and experiencing different cultures. Travelling reminds me that there is so much beauty in the world waiting to be explored. 4. Animals Animals have a special place in my heart. Whether it is caring for dogs, f...

  For a long time, I believed that starting something new was easier when you were younger. When you are young, people expect you to experiment, make mistakes and change direction. Nobody is surprised when a twenty-year-old decides to start a new project, move somewhere else or completely change their plans. But somewhere along the way, many people begin to believe that there is an age limit on reinvention. I do not believe that anymore. In fact, the older I get, the more I realise that life is constantly asking us to begin again. Sometimes we start over because we choose to. Sometimes life makes that choice for us. A new job. A new city. The end of a chapter. The beginning of another. Over the past few years, I have learned that starting over is not a sign of failure. It is often a sign of growth. Recently, I found myself thinking about how I wanted to document my upcoming two-month stay in Morocco. At first, I considered creating videos and recording my experiences. The idea soun...

  If I could sit down with the younger version of myself, I think I would tell her not to worry so much. Back then, I was a young woman living in Rotterdam with a big love for writing. I started blogging because I enjoyed it. It was something that belonged to me. To be honest, I had no grand plan. I wasn't thinking about where I would be ten or fifteen years later. I wasn't thinking about becoming successful. I simply loved writing and sharing stories. Looking back now, I realise how different I was. My life felt carefree. I lived more in the moment. I wasn't thinking about responsibilities or long-term goals the way I do now. At the same time, I was also quite insecure. I often wondered whether people liked my articles. Was I writing well enough? Were people actually enjoying what I was sharing? Like many bloggers at the time, I also dreamed about collaborations and receiving products from brands. And eventually those opportunities came. I worked with wonderful companies, ...

                                                The dog who taught me that trust takes time.  There are certain places in the world that feel special long before you arrive. For me, Morocco is one of those places. Later this year, I will be spending two months there, and I find myself thinking about it more and more as the weeks go by. People often ask me why I enjoy Morocco so much. The answer is not just one thing. It is the atmosphere. The people. The culture. The food. And most importantly, the feeling of being welcomed. Although I am half Dutch and half Hindustani, Morocco has become an important part of my life through my husband and his family. They may not be my family by blood, but they truly feel like family to me. Over the years, I have made wonderful memories there. Every visit teaches me something new and gives me a different perspective on life. But...