Feeling More At Home... Plus Two Super Fun Workouts
/On 14 January 2020, it will mark the two-year move-aversary for the wife and I.
On 13 January 2018, we said goodbye to our friends, family & the pups (well thankfully we were only separated from them for a couple of weeks until they joined us) in Amsterdam.
On 14 January 2018, we arrived in Amsterdam after a long one-way flight through Dublin to Amsterdam. We hit the ground running to get our life in order and find long-term housing (we only had 4 weeks in the temporary housing provided by my company).
It is no secret that I struggled to find my footing here. Since work has been ruling my life, I put finding friends and having a work-life balance second.
I have been told by many other ExPats that it truly takes a good two years to find your way as an ExPat in your new country. And you know what? They were right!
While work is still ruling my world and my brain space, something shifted a couple of months ago when it came to having this place feel like home.
I’ve been really enjoying my time with November Project Amsterdam and am really grateful for the people and positivity it has brought into my life.
While I still don’t feel 100% at home (like yes I am still trying too hard), the pros and acceptance are overpowering the anxiety! So we need to call that a serious win.
I’m thankful that the NP tribe also has spilled over into other workout days, Sunday long runs and testing out free local workouts.
I’ve been wanting to try countless local trails and workouts, but was nervous to do it alone. Now I feel like I can reach out to a group of folks and at least ask if they want to go with me. They might say no, but at least I am asking.
Seriously this move set my confidence back a million paces and I am slowly chopping back at it! Confidence you will be mine again.
I know I need to do some longer posts to really flush out how I am truly working on the inside: anxiety, depression & emotional eating. But for now I am happy to share a little update and tell you about 2 pretty fun workouts I did the last 2 weeks with Lululemon Amsterdam.
So to beat a dead horse here (metaphorically), I have wasted almost 2 years of living here fearful of trying a free workout alone so I’ve missed out on a number of the Lululemon Amsterdam opportunities. But the past 2 weeks with 4-5 other NP folks I said YES!
Last week (27 October), we took part in the Meditation 5k. This was in Vondelpark (which is like the Central Park of Amsterdam) and it all happened within the headphones we wore. The music and the motivational meditative guidance by Jochem van Hessenwas was done through these headphones.
This was definitely out of my comfort zone, but so much fun. We ran a 5k but around each kilometer marker we stopped to either do a meditation, stretch, do a trust exercise (guiding each other while blindfolded), search for a free prize in the playground, sprints or actually look each other in the eye! It was definitely something I would do again. Especially since we ended with a cheer tunnel and free breakfast.
Today (3 November) we took part in a Functional Training with Ben Visser where we focused on core work with an emphasis on correct form over number of repetitions. Something I appreciated after he mentioned he is also a Crossfit coach & I know that group is really focused on reps.
Honestly this hour flew and I think I was the sweatiest person in the room. Who knew such little motions could lead to piles of sweat on my mat. I promise I cleaned it thoroughly post workout. ;)
I can’t wait to check out some more classes post Boston-trip in December.
But for now I am happy to report I am on the healing train and starting to feel a little more whole each day!
What sorts of things would you like to know from my ExPatLife journey? You all know I am an open book!
