A few months ago, I turned 43 and took some time to reflect on my journey - especially the past 18 months since moving to the Netherlands. Making such a big life change at 40 wasn't easy, and definitely not common. It has been one of the most challenging and transformative experiences of my life.
Twenty-five years ago, when I chose to study philosophy instead of following the usual path of engineering or technical fields - despite what was expected of me - 43 felt very far away. Later, at 28, I shifted from journalism and philosophy research to business, and six years ago, I moved to Malaysia to start a new chapter. Even then, I never thought much about what life would look like at 43.
Birthdays naturally make us look back at what we've been through and think about what's ahead. The last two years, especially, have been full of new and difficult experiences. From deciding to move to the Netherlands - coming to a country where I knew no one, didn't speak the language, and didn't understand the culture, context, or even the weather - to enrolling in a master's in International Business and Management at Hanze University (and later switching to Master International Communication (MIC) International Communication, which was a better fit), joining the VentureLab North Business Development Program, following my passions through Bennu Community, hosting dozens of online events, launching two podcasts with 26 episodes in just eight months, and discovering Futures Literacy (attending the Futures Literacy Intensive Program 2024 and the Dubai Future Forum totally changed how I see challenges and opportunities) - it's been a wild ride.
Recently, I had a short chat with some friends, and during one of my coaching sessions, I was advised to prioritize my mental health and avoid pushing myself too hard. This wasn't the first time I had heard this - my therapist and other friends have said similar things. While their advice was helpful, I felt it didn't fully take into account the bigger picture of my situation - being in survival mode and constantly juggling challenges and trade-offs.
Here are some of those challenges:
Language barriers: English isn't my first language. I only started using it seriously later in life. My way of thinking and communicating is still different from people who have spoken English much longer.
Learning Dutch: Dutch adds another level of difficulty, especially in business development and community building - areas where good, culturally aware communication is essential.
Adapting to a new culture: As a newcomer, I often need extra mental and emotional energy just to deal with daily life. Even small things can sometimes feel overwhelming.
On top of that, as a non-EU student at the time, I faced high tuition fees, strict work limits (only 16 hours per week), and other restrictions. I was aware of these challenges when I started this journey, but that doesn't mean I haven't struggled with them. However, despite all these obstacles, I've been trying not just to survive but to grow, thrive, and contribute - to be active in the startup and business community, focus on social impact, and understand the cultural differences in my new home, all while managing financial stress, career goals, and family life.
From 25 years of experience - and what I've learned through Futures Literacy - I know how important imagination and transformation are. It takes extra effort to connect different ideas and create new solutions. My goal now is to move beyond survival mode, where I've worked hard to stay positive, to a place where I can focus more on long-term goals and new opportunities.
For example, people sometimes ask me why I attend so many events. The answer is simple: I'm an observer. My background in philosophy, my interest in educational design and meaningful experiences, my passion for business development and community building, and my curiosity as a futurist all drive me to explore, learn, and connect. Every event is a chance to discover what matters, and every conversation teaches me something new. I believe that even when situations are neutral, having a proactive and creative mindset can turn them into opportunities.
A great example of this is the sixth episode of the Bennu Community podcast with Jael Oterdoom. Four months ago, I went to a Make it in the North event (Meet Your Future in Digital). I could only stay for the last 20 minutes, but I decided to go anyway. Right at the end, I had a quick chat with Jael and her colleague from Klippa while they were packing up. That short talk led to email exchanges, a coffee chat at Klippa, and finally a fantastic podcast episode full of great insights and experiences. (Big thanks to Jael for joining me!)
The future is still uncertain, but I've learned to go with the flow and trust in what will come. By using imagination and staying active, I've found that even small steps can lead to big opportunities. Every day, I practice navigating this uncertainty, always aiming to build something meaningful along the way.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences, whether you've faced similar challenges or not. And if you want to chat more, I'm always up for a coffee - let's connect!