I should write more often
- because it structures my thoughts
- because I want to have a record of my progress and thinking for the future
Especially in times of significant changes
Significant changes like right now
Change happens in multiple ways:
(1) Incremental progress, like dieting or learning something new, which requires effort every day
(2) Big step changes, which change the course of life
Currently we're in a Step Change
The Step Change
I'm writing from a hotel room in the Boat Lagoon in Phuket
Yesterday the movers packed our stuff in Thailand, put it in a container, and put it on a ship with destination Europe!
Marjon and the kids are already in the Netherlands
I will jump on a plane on today
We're moving from Phuket to Amsterdam!
We originally intended to stay 5 years in Thailand, when I signed with Agoda
It didn't go as planned (at all), but the 5 years were more or less right
After 5 years we started looking for another place to live, preferably more family friendly, preferably better air quality compared to Bangkok
For convenience (visa, travel costs, ...) we eventually stayed in the same country, and moved to Phuket
Now Marjon got a job offer in Amsterdam and so we're leaving
In many ways The Netherlands is the complete opposite to Thailand. Being able to walk with my 2 year old on a proper sidewalk or cycle with her to a supermarket is great
Having public infrastructure like playgrounds, sports facilities or a fantastic library nearby even better
The con is the price tag of it all. Housing is expensive, childcare is expensive.
And I don't know what I'm going to do for a living yet, but it's clear I can't freewheel too long!
Looking Back
I loved the 10 months we spent in Phuket
The beaches are extremely beautiful (with a caveat for the mass tourism though)
The views from the winding mountain road fantastic
The jungle is spectacular and terrifying at the same time
The large swimming pool nearby was fantastic
Going for diner on the beach was great
Living in a house instead of a condo was great
My 2-yo's school was great
Being able to afford a full-time nanny was such a luxury
The neighbours were nice
And the people smile a lot, like they do in the whole of Thailand
I can go on and on ...
Me-Time
Spending the last 3 days alone in Phuket has been eye-opening again
I feel like I'm on some kind of business trip, wrapping up the "Phuket Project"
While staying in a hotel full of tourists :)
I almost don't know anymore what to do with my time, with no kids around ...
Luckily that didn't last long, there is always enough to do and learn!
I've done some me-time before, I went to Tokyo in March to run the marathon, I went to Chiang Mai in May last year. It's actually very helpful to take some distance from time to time!
Looking Forward
We found a house in Amstelveen, a suburb of Amsterdam
My projects have been on hold for a while
My job search in Thailand, Singapore and the region has been cancelled
When the turbulence of moving and settling in starts to calm down, it's time for me to make an action plan again
Amsterdam is together with the UK and Sweden probably one of the tech hotspots in Europe
As well as having a rather large investment ecosystem
What I don't know yet is which role I want to play in that
Ideally a combination of doing freelance and building a product
Or would I rather keep working fully remote
This is for me to find out in the coming months
Allright, enough chitchat
Time to wrap up
And go pack my bags
See Ya!
