Who I was a few months ago and who I am now.

Looking back at my life in the Netherlands, I know I have made the right decision to start my journey as a digital nomad in Tenerife.

It has only been a short while, but so much has changed. Let me paint a picture for you here.

I was working for an employer, 32 hours a week. My life was hectic; filled with appointments and obligations. I can’t say I was living a full and happy life. I felt stressed and fatigued most of the time. The gym was my second home, where I did a lot of fitness and boxing. My closest friends are the best ones out there, but with everyone living their own separate lives, there wasn’t much room for spontaneity. Life was happening so fast, and I could barely keep up. My holidays were always spent somewhere on the other side of the world, as far away as I could get from my normal day life. But my job only allowed for a short holiday every year.

I knew something needed to change, but I didn’t know how. I wanted to feel happier, more liberated, less stressed. It wasn’t until I flew back home from my last holiday in Mexico that I knew it was time. I was the only one who could make my life better, no one else. It’s up to me, and I decided to take action. I did everything in my power to start my own business. I even moved back in with my mom to save money. I had never in my life been this motivated to make a change.

Fast forward, I am now living my life as a digital nomad in Coliving community on Tenerife. I feel free, understood, calm, even happy. Is it possible to feel like a changed person in such a short timeframe? The answer seems to be ‘yes’. When you surround yourself with like-minded people who care about you and the world, who have the same goals in life as you do, who are open to everyone and everything, you will notice an instant change.

When you open yourself up to others, different perspectives, different lifestyles, different stories, you will automatically do the same. Being a digital nomad has introduced me to the power of meditation, yoga, and journaling. It has allowed me to really go into my body and mind, and to be at peace with all that is happening around me. At home I was a loud and energetic girl. Often, I felt like I was too much. Here, I’m still vibrant, but in a slower and calmer way. And even if I’m loud, I never feel like I’m too much.

Living in a coliving means there’s always going to be people around you. The beautiful part is that there’s no judging if you have a day off, if your silent, if you’re distant. You can be you. Taking a large break from your usual life, going into the unknown, out of your comfort zone, gives you a chance to reinvent yourself. At the age of 33 I was quite surprised this was even still possible.

People at home would most likely call me a sceptic, and with right. Being here has taught me to breathe, think, reconsider. Is the glass always half empty? No, on the contrary. If you would have told me 6 months ago to write down three daily gratitudes, I would have had a really hard time. I even would have laughed at the idea. Now, three doesn’t seem to be enough. I’m even grateful for someone taking the effort to wake me up in the morning for a gym session, only because everybody hates the sound of my alarm.

The road towards making a change hasn’t been easy. It also feels like you might be letting down others while choosing for yourself, and by chasing after your dreams. However, the reward is indescribable. And how cliché it might sound, if you are a happier person, your energy transfers to others. If you’re happy, others will be too.

Go chase your dreams.