Rachel Smets jumpingroyalty free (author's own pic)
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Manifest anything you want

Every day, every moment, every second, we are determining our reality. We have the power. We have control. Would you like to wake up in a good mood every day? Monday or Sunday would be equally fun because you're doing what you love every…
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A healthy dose of nostalgia

Is there actually such a thing as a healthy dose of nostalgia? Most expats will be familiar with those pangs of nostalgia that can hit at any moment. Being overcome by a nostalgic fog can have both its positives and negatives – it can be triggered…
Green-roofed bus shelters in HaarlemArianna Ardia-Wenink
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Green-roofed bus shelters in Haarlem

Two bus shelters at the Verwulft in Haarlem have gone 'green'. Since 7 September, the bus shelters have been installed with eco-roofs and are topped with plants. Residents of the surrounding houses can now look out onto a mini garden. The plants…
8 tips to calm down your children when fighting at home.Unsplash, by Allen Taylor (@allentaylorjr)
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How to calm down children?

When children are at home a lot, surrounded by their brothers and sisters, tensions can sometimes build. Children can suffer from tension and over stimulation. Here, I advise the following if you have children who argue a lot.   Read…
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Juggling family and career: decide on your model

Anyone who wants to get back to work after having a baby will often seek tips from those who have done exactly this before them. What happens to family life when the time comes to rejoin the workforce? How do you approach this juggling act?…
The CoronaMelder coronavirus app is in an advanced stage of development trialled in several regions in the Netherlands and in multiple languagesGovernment of the Netherlands.Government of the Netherlands
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Dutch CoronaMelder coronavirus app to feature multiple languages

The CoronaMelder coronavirus app is in an advanced stage of development. CoronaMelder is currently being trialled in several regions in the Netherlands and will offer multiple language options, including English, German, Polish and Turkish,…
Testing centre at Schiphol Airport open from this week
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Testing centre at Schiphol Airport open from this week

A testing centre at Schiphol Airport opened on Friday 14 August. This is where travellers returning from high-risk areas can get themselves tested. Read about what that involves. By getting yourself tested for COVID-19 at Schiphol,…
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Saying bye to love: tips for the broken hearted

Coming out of a relationship through a difficult break-up can be tough – especially if you lose love while you are living overseas, many miles away from home. This article has tips to help you deal with the heartache and start the process…
Refilling water bottle more dirty than licking toilet seatPhoto by Kate Joie on Unsplash
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Refilling water bottle more dirty than licking toilet seat

While reusing water bottles is good for the environment, it may not be as good for us. Research has shown that recycled water bottles can contain more bacteria than a toilet seat. For the study, water bottles of athletes were tested to…
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Lake swimming: Haarlem’s natural watering holes

When the temperatures soar, what a better way to keep cool than going for a swim surrounded by nature? Haarlem has lots of natural swimming spots nearby where you can take a dip. with Which lakes are you permitted to swim in though? We share…
The Netherlands officially has the first national heat wave of the yearGerd Altmann via Pixabay
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First official national heat wave of the year

The Netherlands officially has the first national heat wave of the year. Around 10 a.m. a temperature of 25 degrees was measured in De Bilt. To be classed as a nationwide heatwave, the De Bilt weather station must record a five-day period…
covid-19 rise
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We have a rise in COVID-19 infections in the Netherlands, please remember to stay safe

As COVID-19 cases rise, people in the Netherlands seem to act like the virus doesn't exist. Please remember that the first wave of the pandemic has never ended in the Netherlands. Let's make sure we, our families and the people around us are…
Rachel Smets, gain confidenceroyalty free (author's own pic)
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Three secrets to self-confidence

Discover how to boost your confidence to achieve what you want. You can be confident – you just need to know the secrets for how to gain that confidence. Here, we let you in on those secrets. You have no doubt seen it yourself: …
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Spending time with your baby: setting the balance

Motherhood is a juggling act for sure. Best not to get stuck in the ‘mum guilt’ loop or spend too much time asking yourself: how much time should I be spending with my child to be a good mum? You know this nagging feeling when you are spending…
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Haarlem’s outdoor swimming pool that’s also a national monument

Zwembad de Houtvaart is a treat for swimmers on many levels, thanks to its architecture, history and the fact you can splash around in the open air, come rain or ’shine! During the summer days, what a better treat than to go for a dip…
Greenjoy Boat Renting Summer 2020: Special € 20 Discount for expatsHaarlem readers
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Greenjoy Boat Renting Summer 2020: Special € 20 Discount for expatsHaarlem readers

Wow, it’s amazing.. SUNNY WEATHER IN THE NETHERLANDS! Can you believe it? Why not making the most of it then? The weather forecast seems to be pretty awesome for the coming week! Let's hope even weeks! Are you – like many others – eager…
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Lessons learnt since my last birthday

Every year, we celebrate our own birthdays – and what a good opportunity this is to look back and see what has been experienced, discovered and learnt about ourselves in the last year. A birthday is a milestone… an anniversary date…
Rachel Smetsroyalty free (author's own pic)
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Overcome self-doubt and stop your inner critic

How to stop the negative self-talk. Learn how to stop your inner critic. Your thoughts create your reality. We need to stop telling ourselves: I'm not good enough. I will never succeed. Self-doubt and self-talk will hold you…
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Get on Your Bike for Rondje Haarlem: The Most Stunning Cycle Route

Hey you! Are you, like me, feeling the wanderlust growing as days pass by? Have you, too, reached that uncomfortable point, where you really need to get out and about for some kind of adventure, even if just for an afternoon, but don’t quite…
News: Swimming in Spaarne dangerous & forbidden
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Police warns against swimming in the Spaarne: fine €140

With such a good weather, the police has seen people swimming in the Spaarne. This is dangerous and forbidden. The following days will still be nice and warm and the Haarlem police announced that they will constantly patrol the Spaarne with…
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Revelations of repatriation: 3-step-model to help you prepare

If you live overseas and are considering heading back home after months or years abroad, then this article is vital reading for you. Repatriation can be tough, so read on if you are curious as to why this is, what you can do to prepare and what…
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Following Your Intuition: It Can Lead You to Surprising Places

We often drawn to a place, somewhere that you just feel that spark and you don’t know why. Did you ever land up somewhere on a whim or by accident, only to find it’s the perfect fit for you? Maybe it was an old photo that led you there,…
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Everyday eco ideas that put the planet first

Taking steps to save the planet can save you money and cost you little effort. You can go about your everyday life and start becoming more eco-focused from today. Going green is not so hard to do – you can change your life by simply making…
power of the mindroyalty free (author's own image)
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Control your thoughts with this one-minute experiment

Control your mind – your thoughts create your reality. Grab a string and a small object, or a necklace. Get ready for a mind-blowing magical experience. This mind-blowing experiment to show you the power of your thoughts. You can change…
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Expat life: which way next?

Recent events have probably been causing us to ponder a true expat dilemma more than ever: where to next? (Not that we are taking journeys anywhere just yet.) As expats, most of us will be faced at some point with the issue of moving to another…
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10 intriguing ways to stay connected with loved ones abroad

As expats, we are accustomed to finding ways to stay in touch with our friends and family abroad. Here, we share 10 creative and unique ways to stay connected with your loved ones – virtually (online) as well as emotionally (offline). Whoever…
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Creative chats: Q&A with Marlou on seeing the beauty in everyday things

Welcome to our new series of informal chats with creative types! Seeking inspiration and a pop of vibrancy? Then, look no further. Today, we chat to writer, translator and all-round documenter Marlou about how she’s coping during lockdown. It…
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Natural skincare using ingredients found at home

Imagine this scenario, you are at home and about to make your favourite beauty ritual. Finally, the kids went to sleep and you have time to yourself. You go to the bathroom and suddenly realise that you don't have any products left. If it wasn't…
rachel smets, life hacksroyalty free (author's own pic)
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Say no to panic – say yes to boosting your immune system

During times of uncertainty, taking steps to protect your mental and physical health can help your body’s natural defenses stay strong. Boost your immune system using these hacks. This global pandemic is real. A lot of people understandably…
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Toolkit for managing headaches

Do your headaches affect your happiness? If you experience occasional migraines or suffer from a chronic condition, this article offers some tools to help you cope with headaches. When pain is regularly debilitating, severe migraines can…