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This Month I am coming to you with a rather personal blog. As some of you know I have been dreaming of living in the Netherlands for years. Now I finally do. After living in Belgium for 39 and years, I moved.
Working as an international executive Coach, in fact I can live wherever I want to. For me, that was one of the requirements when writing my BigFish business plan. Being free to make changes in my personal life without them interfering with my professional ambitions. (Don’t worry, all travel expenses within the Benelux are included in my pricing)
Some people find it difficult to handle change. I am one of those finding it difficult to have no change at all. I need the challenge. Some tension. I love the stress that comes with balancing work and life. Even as a single mom. Pushing yourself. Pushing time. Learning your kids that life isn’t always easy. Some compromises are inevitable. Priorities need to be set. And choices to be made.
The most wonderful thing of it all is that my child of eight is handling this emigration beyond every expectation. As if a new world opens in front of her. New school. New friends. New everything. Cherishing the old. Nourishing the existing. Embracing the new. No fear. No guilt. Living every day to the maximum. The first thing she told my parents back home is people even ride bicycles in winter here! Can you imagine they do?? Isn’t that wonderful?
But in the process of moving, something went wrong with our internet and tv-connection. The consequence is we are living without any outside information since almost two weeks now. So, last Tuesday, I drove to Brussels to do an executive Coaching and calling my stepfather on my way over there, he told me I had chosen the worst possible timing for my appointment since Obama was visiting Brussels that day. I honestly knew nothing about it. At first I was shocked. How could I not know?
But then I realised, this experience has been so enriching on the other hand. Back to basics. Living. Eating. Working. Sleeping. Enjoying. After one week, I woke up early every morning. For those following me online, you know I have never been a morning person! Now I am wide-awake. Enjoying breakfast with my daughter. We even have the time to polish our nails in the morning ;-)
And when in Coaching, I am present more than ever. I finally started writing my book. Despite the stress of moving. Despite the temporary lack of child day care.
Because suddenly. There is TIME. Strange, isn’t it?
I know I will lose this feeling again. When LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Google, television, etc. make their entrance in our home again. But it has been a wonderful lesson. That’s why I wanted to share it with you all.
You definitely should try it!
And if you want to know more about what we do at BigFish4.me besides moving countries, let me know.
I’ll be happy to talk to you.
Have a wonderful day !
Sofie
Questions or remarks? Feel free to comment!
Sofie Varrewaere is the founder of BigFish4.me. After studying a Master in Psychological and Pedagogical Sciences, she ogled into the magical world of Recruitment, Selection and HR Services. Working for the world leader in HR, she has always been in an advisory role in relation to the larger goals of several multinational organizations. In 2013 she started her own company in International executive Coaching. Doing what she is good at, challenging others as well as herself.
SOFIE VARREWAERE 