Rachel Smets Feeling Guilty March 2021
, ,

How to remove guilt and worry, and move forward.

Why do we feel guilty so often or dwell on the past? Why is it so difficult to make certain decisions? Many people spend large amounts of time with two useless thought patterns: Guilt and worry. Guilt is in the past and worry is in the future,…
swap studio
, , ,

Free new clothes while saving the environment: Start swapping!

The fashion industry has a disastrous impact on the environment. In fact, it is the second largest polluter in the world, just after the oil industry. Especially fast fashion (zara, h&m etc), which makes shopping for clothes more affordable,…
A good year Czech wines
, , ,

Dreams do come true and Dušan lives his in Haarlem!

When I met Dušan the first thing I saw was his passion for Czech natural wines. And now you can all see that, because he just founded a company that brings this naturally, delicious fermented juice to us, here in the Netherlands, straight to…
expatNest social distancing weekend
, ,

So, any plans for this another-social-distancing weekend?

Although it's been a year that we’re practising social distancing, weekends remain important. Yes, the restaurants and bars are closed and we should keep at least 1,5 meters distance from people that don't live in our house, but this doesn't…
Ben Coates article
, ,

The year of corona: Dutch superiority - Superior failure

In the Netherlands if we are better at something, we like international comparisons. And if we are not better at it, the answer is: 'This is not a competition!' During the corona crisis, Dutch failure is often presented as Dutch superiority. About…
Is your job making you sick?
, ,

Is your job making you sick? Stop pretending and take action!

Is your job making you sick? Do you feel trapped in your 9-5 wondering 'this is it for the rest of my life?' On the other side of this life there is freedom. If you long for freedom, why are you not going there? Stop pretending and start taking…
Dutch turn to live-stream webcams during curfewGemeente Haarlem
, , , , , , , , ,

Dutch turn to live-stream webcams during curfew

The national coronavirus curfew came into effect on January 23, and search engine Google immediately reported a significant increase in the number of ''webcam" searches. Curfew in the Netherlands In the ongoing fight against the coronavirus…
Why do we love the snow?
, , ,

Why do we love the snow so much?

There's no doubt that we are going through some weird times with a pandemic and the measures to prevent it. And as if that wasn't enough, the winter of 2021 has arrived, bringing sub-zero temperatures and icy winds along with it. The dark, cold…
Local Charities Worldwide, global platform for local givingroyalty free (can be reused without attribution)
, ,

Local Charities Worldwide: four Haarlemmers start a revolution of giving

I don’t know about you but I am quite done getting my heart broken every morning, for the best part of the last year. Getting up, sipping coffee on the couch while browsing through the news is supposed to be a relaxing start to my day, like…
Rachel Smets life hacks crab bucketroyalty free (author's own pic)
, ,

When your family doesn't support your dream

What do you do if you are lacking support from your loved ones? It is time to apply the crab theory! Is your family not supporting your dream? You are super excited and motivated but they say you're crazy. Knowing this crab theory will…
sunset signpostroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
, , ,

The tricky expat question: where is home?

Expats the world over establish themselves in new places, but do they call the new place home or is it where they originally came from? This Expats Nest article asks this question by sharing the story of Greek-born expat now ensconced in London. Here,…
dutch cabinet resignation
, ,

Dutch government resigns: what are the consequences for the corona crisis?

The Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte’s government resigned on Friday 15 January over a scandal in which thousands of parents were falsely accused of child benefit fraud between 2013 and 2019. Ministers will stay on in a caretaker capacity…
Netherlands to remain in lockdown until at least 9 February inclusiveMartin Sanchez on Unsplash
, , , ,

Dutch lockdown continues until at least 9 February

On the evening of Tuesday 12 January, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced that the measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus would be extended for a further 3 weeks. The previous announcement in December…
kid tantrum cryingroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
, ,

Unruly kids: is it time to embrace the ‘time out’?

Time out is often used to calm children down. It is a controversial method, with both supporters and opponents. This article includes a description of what the ‘time out’ method entails and the advantages and disadvantages that go along…
baby feetroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
, ,

Freebies for newborns in the Netherlands

When your new baby is delivered, this will undoubtedly be the best present ever. Though, did you know that you can get other deliveries – for free – for when you bring your newborn home, if you know where to look? Read on to know what surprises…
Compulsary negative coronavirus test for all travellersHarm Jakob Tolsma
, ,

Compulsary negative coronavirus test for all travellers

A compulsory negative COVID-19 test result is now required for all airline passengers, including Dutch nationals. The Dutch government recently amended the travel restrictions, valid for all incoming passengers including EU residents. The…
Rachel Smets no regretsroyalty free (author's own pic)
, ,

Live life without regrets

Living life without regrets needs you need to take the leap. Are you ready? Regret is poison. Imagine being 90 years old and you're looking back upon your life and all you can think is: What if I had done it?' What if I had done what…
Haarlem corona patient to Germany
, ,

A coronavirus patient from Haarlem taken by helicopter to German hospital

On Monday 21 December, a  coronavirus patient from Haarlem was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Dortmund. This is first infected patient in two months that has been transported to Germany. The last time patients were admitted to…
Christmas treeroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
, , ,

Feeling blue this festive season?

Some of us, this year more than ever, might be dreading the upcoming festivities. Not being able to travel home to be with loved ones is going to be tough for so many people. While some might be putting a brave face on, determined to decorate…
rise in corona cases december 2020
, ,

8894 new infections yesterday, 1600 more than the weekly average

A total of 8894 new confirmed coronavirus infections were reported to the RIVM as of Friday morning on 11 December, which is 120 more than the previous day. The weekly average is 7264. The number of infections has increased rapidly over the…
xmas cardroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
, , ,

Writing Christmas cards to Haarlem's elderly residents

It’s the festive season and a perfect time to do a good deed for fellow residents in the city, right? How about penning a little message on a Christmas card as a surprise for someone who might not otherwise receive any Christmas mail? It could…
Simpel Award Website of the year 2020!Simple
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Simpel voted Website of the Year 2020

On 26 November, 2020, Simpel was voted the 'Website of the Year 2020' by the Dutch public, making it the overall winner of the 20th edition of this exciting election. The Website of the Year election* is the largest online public award…
From December 1, face masks compulsory in all indoor public places in the NetherlandsUnsplash
, , , , , ,

From 1 December, face masks compulsory in all indoor public places in the Netherlands

To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, it is compulsory to wear a face mask in all public indoor spaces for everyone aged 13 and older from Tuesday 1 December. Anyone not wearing a mask can be fined €95. The new law provides a legal…
stop people pleasingroyalty free (author's own pic)
, ,

Addressing the need to be liked

It is time to stop being a people pleaser and instead make time to build more self-worth. You are a kind person, that's great, but when do you become a people pleaser? The difference between being nice and being a people pleaser is the…
woman in the light and treesroyalty free (re-use possible without attribution)
, ,

Intensive mothering: the concept fully explained

Have you ever heard of ‘intensive mothering’? It could be a term relevant to all mothers in 2020 – as it has been quite an intensive year, right? Though, it is actually a concept that was introduced in the 1990s. Read on to discover more…
coronavirus masksroyalty free (reuse possible with accreditation)
, , , , , ,

Dutch coronavirus response: survey for internationals

A new survey aimed at internationals living in the Netherlands about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting their daily lives has been issued by ICAP, the International Community Advisory Panel – which is an initiative put together by four…
feeling grateful, giving thanksroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
, , ,

Experiencing gratitude even in tough times

It is mid-November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. With the trials that 2020 has brought us so far, it has been a tough year – though, maybe we can still take a moment and find something to be grateful for. If you wish to welcome…
Cabinet tightens up measuresMarkus Winkler
, , , , ,

Cabinet tightens up measures to tackle coronavirus

On the evening of 3 November, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced new measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. In addition to extending the current measures, part of the package of new measures…
Haarlem corona numbers 21-27 oct
, , ,

Coronavirus in Haarlem: latest numbers from the RIVM

The total number of Haarlem residents that tested positive for coronavirus over the last week was 553. The figures were announced in the new weekly update from the RIVM. A total of 67,542 Dutch people received confirmation that they are infected…
break free with a bananaroyalty free (author's own pic)
, ,

How to let go of limiting beliefs

Your challenge is to shut down the monkey mind in order to break free from your limiting beliefs. Your dream is to wake up to a life + career + relationships you love. You want a lifestyle that has other people saying: wow, you're so lucky! What…