We have celebrated our very first Christmas in our new home, and we chose to keep it quiet. True to Dutch tradition, Christmas is stretched across two days: spending the first with family at my sister-in-law’s, and reclaiming the second for ourselves, cosy and warm at home. This quiet downtime has been a gift, offering the space to look back on what can only be described as a roller coaster of a year.
We knew going into 2025 that it would be a turning point, as the groundwork had already been laid the previous December.
The year began with a difficult transition. A company reorganisation in December led to the loss of my tech services business development job, pushing me into an uncomfortable limbo, and later, into an enforced early retirement I wasn’t quite ready for. I had fully intended to keep working full time for another two or three years, but life had other plans.
While it wasn’t how I envisioned the timing, it cleared the path for the next big milestone we had been planning since purchasing our new property in December last year. By spring, we were packing up our life in Utrecht and trading the city pavement for the green fields of the south. Navigating a major move is exhausting, and while professional movers saved our sanity during the actual move, clearing out and cleaning the old house for the turnover was a monumental task.
The reward, however, has been beyond anything we imagined. Today, nature sits right on our doorstep. I have a vast garden to tend to, and a newfound love for the stillness of the countryside. We did go on a beach holiday in the Greek islands but we mainly spent the summer months uncovering the hidden gems of our new neighbourhood and getting to know our direct neighbours. The community here has a distinct warmth to it—the kind of place where a casual walk inevitably turns into a delightful conversation with a stranger.
Then came autumn, and with it, a sharp reminder that life likes to keep us on our toes. During a simple shopping trip to a neighbouring village, I managed to wreck our electric car. We were unharmed, as well as the other party, but the shock was total. It felt like a sudden, harsh setback after months of pure gratitude and joy.
When the Christmas season rolled around, my usual holiday enthusiasm was missing. But choices matter, and I made a conscious decision to elevate our mood rather than dwell on the accident. I installed two Christmas trees—one to brighten the kitchen and dining space, and another for the living room. The glow of the lights completely transformed our home and our spirits. And, just in time for the holidays, a new electric car arrived to officially close that chapter.
Looking back, 2025 was a year of major shifts and unexpected turns. I am still settling into this new skin and learning the ropes of country retirement, but as I look out at the garden, I’m deeply grateful for where the road has led us.
With love from Jo