Welcome, welkom, tervetuloa!
I created this blog to track my thoughts and write down observations while embarking on a fresh chapter of my life in a new city, Amsterdam. The blog name is a reference to a wonderful Dutch B movie from the 1980s. For those uninitiated, Amsterdamned is a story of a serial killer lurking in the canals of Amsterdam (resemblance to my own life remains unclear). I highly recommend anyone to watch it, along with other classics by the same director, Dick Maas, such as De Lift (about a killer elevator eating people), Flodder and Flodder in Amerika.
I won't introduce myself in more detail as I assume anybody who reads this already knows me in person, and if not, whatever there is to be known should shrine through these ramblings here. Without further ado, let us begin.
In a lot of ways, relocating from Brussels to Amsterdam symbolizes freedom to me - and I am not talking about the social liberties usually associated with the Netherlands. What I mean is that even though we have yet to find a place to live, the atmosphere of Amsterdam already feels more natural and suitable than that of any other place currently could, at least in Europe. During the past month I've experienced twice an intense rush of what could be best described as euphoria (yes, I tipped my fedora while it happened). I am just so damn happy to be here, in a city that I once loathed.
Accepting my first real job ever (which happens to be part-time) and moving here came essentially down to a choice between time and money. After seeing so many burnouts-in-the-making in the Euro Bubble and even amongst our friends, the choice became evidently more clear. Moreover, having a lifestyle where I am vulnerable and dependent on my income and job security because I have filled my life with unnecessary junk that needs paying every month is a terrifying thought.
For these reasons, Amsterdam shall not only be an opportunity to have the most fun I can and rekindle my relationship with the Netherlands I love so much, but also yet another attempt material and mental minimalism. My partner (to whom I will refer to unimaginatively as 'M') and I semi-unknowingly practiced it while shuttling between our home countries and while living in Southeast Asia a couple of years back. It was incredibly liberating and fulfilling. We came back with richer than ever, yet our backpacks and bank accounts became lighter.
As a philosophy minimalism has always made sense to me. In practice, my version of it can be summarized in a few words: relationships only with people with whom all impact on each others' lives is positive or at least meaningful, mindfulness, fewer but better quality items, and a French wardrobe.
However, I let something happen during our stay in Belgium. As we emptied our flat in Brussels with M and his father earlier this week and saw what a I pile of shit we have managed to horde in merely six months, I gasped. At the same time, the amount of people I consider friends there was very limited. That I do not want ever again.
Therefore, even though the fun but uncertain suitcase lifestyle will hopefully end for the time being and some sort of settling is ought to begin, I will do my best to honor these principles and fill the luxurious amount of time I now have in my hands only with things that matter: adventures, good people, arts and culture, lifting and other forms of taking care of myself, giving back and being part of the generosity economy.
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