September 29, 2021, by Bert Cohen
In recent months, Leonore and I have drastically changed our private lives. After 27.5 years in the same house - where we raised four children and always lived and worked fantastically - it was enough. It no longer suited us, the soul had gone out of it and we were all ready for something different. But then what?
Since our eldest left home to study, we had already been making plans. At first, we dreamed of a holiday home on Schiermonnikoog, but we did not want to spend the money on that. Then we wanted to avoid further commitments for a while, and we just went away together more often for (long) weekends. But that was still unsettling. Until we realised that it had to be more radical: sell our house and then get an apartment in the city we love so much... plus 'something on an island'. And then we suddenly knew where too!
So, we did not rush into figuring out what we really wanted. But to actually go and do it... We simply were not ready when the first nice island house we found came along, and it slipped through our fingers. I was quite upset about that, but it was also a relief. And that way we knew even better what and where it could be, but also how difficult it was to actually get it. That is why we were actually quite happy when our real estate agent advised us to put our own house on the market in the spring (postponement of execution, yes!). And then we were shocked when he suddenly contacted us again two months later with a few 'very interested' buyers. Because then came the moment of truth: do we dare to jump?
To make a long story short: from that moment on, everything accelerated. In our favorite apartment building, a good friend not only offered to keep an eye out for what might become available, but also happened to be considering selling her own apartment. And just when we had recovered from that surprise, a house came up for sale in our now favorite island village – after six months of radio silence – which was about one and a half times as beautiful and large as that first one. The rest is history.
So I am writing this now from our living room on Texel, while Leonore is in our apartment in Leiden for a few days for her theater work. What a joy; because due to corona, we were suddenly a bit too close for comfort last year. But besides personal space, this new environment also gives new energy and inspiration professionally. The energy to critically examine my approach again after 6 years and the inspiration to one day publish a book about my work. All in all, I am quite proud of what and how we have done this and I always enjoy talking about it.
But what is the moral of this story?
I was recently walking through the dunes with a friend who also happens to be a colleague, and he put it very nicely: 'This is exactly what we tell our clients, whether it is about their career or more broadly in life... if you are really not happy (anymore), take a step, get moving, jump!'. And to quote Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist): 'When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve your dream'.
Now, I strongly believe in the free will of the individual: whether it concerns my children, my friends, or my clients... they all have to want it and do it themselves! And in my opinion, there is only one way you can truly have an influence as another individual: leading by example. So that is why I am telling you this and I am extra proud of it. Without realizing it, we have recently done something that I strongly believe in. Your turn!
