It has been about five months since we moved to our new house in North Brabant, and we are absolutely loving it. The Dutchman and I can just feel, deep down, that this is the perfect place for us to settle into our slow living retirement years.
As I write this, I will be posting a number of photos I took in the last 5 months during my walks in our area.
At the same time, it has been several months since I last worked, and I am slowly getting used to it. While I am gradually developing my own daily rhythms, it is definitely still a work in progress. Every now and then, I still jump when I think I hear the sound of an incoming email, a Teams message, or a call. You cannot just shake those deep-rooted habits away overnight; it takes time to let them go. But oh, how I love waking up in the morning without the pressure of getting ready for work. Can you hear my sigh of relief?
I am still trying to figure out if I want to return to work at all—perhaps part-time and remotely. However, knowing the industry I am in, I know for sure it will be incredibly difficult to find a role that fits both criteria. Maybe I will just fully retire instead.
“Don’t you get bored?”
When people find out I have all this free time, they often wonder what I do with myself. “I hope you are not bored?” is a question I get all the time. But the truth is quite the opposite. Having all the time in the world has given me the joy and freedom to pursue so many things I could never do while I was working.
It is largely a shift in mindset. It certainly helps if you are someone who is naturally active, has a zest for life, loves to discover new places, and possesses a creative mind with a long list of hobbies. If you lack that inner drive, filling your days can indeed become a challenge. But for me? I barely have enough hours in the day.
And, there are also so many (free) local events in the area all throughout spring, summer, and autumn to attend!
The Manual to a High-Tech Glass House
The move itself kept me incredibly busy for the first few months. The house is relatively new, so we did not have to do any renovations except move our belongings in. However, it is a high-tech smart home packed with gadgets and complex electronics. I spent hours making a complete inventory and learning about every single system—from the Domotica smart controls and CCTV security to the heat pumps and solar panels (27 of them, to be exact!), and more. Well, the actual operation of these systems I leave to the Dutchman.
We are also still learning the art of actually living in this house. We live in a glass house, and during the summer, it can get quite hot if you do not know exactly when and which electronic sun shade screen to move up or down. When the thermometer hits 30°C, you have to know how to ventilate the space strategically. We are still figuring out which windows to open to let the natural airflow do its magic. The house has excellent built-in heating and cooling systems, but we love the challenge of managing the climate the natural way.
Here is my earlier post with a glimpse of the house: We’ve moved to the countryside!
Botanical Adventures and Weed Anxiety
Then there is the garden. We own just under an acre of land, and the garden is beautifully designed by a garden designer, with sweeping borders in the front, side, and backyard. I admit I was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning. Where do I even start? What are all these plants called?
In the summer, a lot of weeds started growing, and for a while, I was terrified of pulling them out. I kept worrying that I might accidentally yank out a rare, intentional plant. It takes time to learn and confidently spot the weeds. True to my organised nature, I eventually made a complete database of the garden. I tracked them down to their scientific names, when they bloom, whether they are evergreen, and their specific pruning needs. You could say I have successfully channelled my professional energy into these new domestic tasks.
My New Obsession: Conquering the Neighbourhood on Foot
Beyond the house and garden, we have been busy finding our bearings in the neighbourhood. It is a wonderful phase of discovery for us. We have taken countless walks around the small village, through the forests, by the nearby lake, and along the edges of the farming fields.
In the beginning, we kept our walks close to home. As the weeks passed, our confidence grew, and we pushed out into the wider surroundings. I feel incredibly lucky to live in an area with direct access to stunning nature reserves. There is no need to grab the car or the bike; we simply step out the front door and start walking.
Wandering has become a bit of a healthy obsession for me. I wanted to learn and understand my new surroundings on foot. Now, I map out weekly walking treks to nearby villages and towns. Many of the villages are within 5 to 6 kilometres, which makes for a beautiful 10 to 12-kilometer round trip (about two hours of walking). These routes take me through dense forests, along rivers, and across open fields. To make it even more exciting, I usually combine the trek with a nice lunch or a drink at my destination.
For the bigger towns that are 8 to 12 kilometres away, I usually take my bike or car. Though, I have actually walked to the town 8 kilometres away a few times, clocking in some impressive 16-kilometer round trips.
Deeply Rooted in North Brabant
I am so glad I dedicated the time to these walks, because now I know my immediate surroundings inside out. If you were to drop me anywhere within a 10-kilometer radius of my house, I could find my way back home blindfolded without a map! I am secretly quite proud of my knowledge of the local shortcuts and hidden forest paths.
This active outdoor routine made it incredibly easy and fast for me to integrate and truly feel at home. It really is the ultimate way to adapt to a new place. The quiet walks in the forest, the stillness of the lakes, and the sight of animals grazing in the fields bring me so much peace and deep joy. Right now, I do not think I could ever live in a crowded city again. Then again, never say never—we can never predict what the future holds.
Oh my life has suddenly become completely different, and you know what? I absolutely love it.
Enjoy life!
With love from Jo