Seven weeks ago I went offline. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but it happened. So much was going on, both wonderfull stuff and very painfull stuff, and I needed all my energy do deal with those things. Now I feel like a submarine that has been on the bottom of the ocean for a while, resurfacing slowly, looking forward to come out of my self-imposed isolation. I’m decluttering, getting rid of things that I no longer have use for. Clothes that don’t fit me anymore or that don’t make me feel great are all bundled up in a big bin bag, ready to go to a charity shop. All the cupboards in our bedroom are reorganized, the kitchen is next. I finally quit my studies officially and threw out all the books and papers that went with it. It was such a relief to make a clean cut. I even had a look at my book shelves and donated books I don’t want to read again to charity.

In the beginning of July Marc and I went to the Netherlands for a long weekend and I met his family for the first time. This was long overdue and I’m glad I finally got to know them a little bit. I was promoted at work and while that’s great in itself, the thing I’m happiest about is that I negotiated. Just a year ago, I would have accepted what they offered me. Now I was confident enough to ask for what I wanted, even if it took 4 meetings to reach an agreement. I was so proud of myself!

I never considered myself a very dancy person, as I was too self-conscious to really enjoy dancing. When I saw a leaflet for Gabrielle Roth’s 5Rhythms, given by Caítríona Nic Ghíollaphádraig, a few months ago, I dismissed it right away. I couldn’t get it out of my head though, so in the end I enquired if there were still places available for this resident course and signed up for it. I told myself it was going to be an adventure: going to a place where I’d never been before, doing something I’d never done before and meeting new people. It turned out to be the most wonderful adventure and I will write more about it in the next few days.

Flowers and candle circle