Detoxing from office life

Two weeks have passed since my farewell at work. Strange weeks. First, the overwhelming fatigue, as if my body finally dared to let go. Then the detox from office life, and to be honest, that process is still in full swing. At the same time, the realization is slowly starting to sink in: this is no longer just an idea, no longer a plan for “someday.” Soon, I will truly step into my new life. As a hiker. As a writer. As a nomad.

Sharing highs and lows in a tacky outfit

Remarkably, just two days after my farewell, I was back at my old workplace. Not behind my desk, but in the middle of a party, dressed tackily according to the dress code, for a colleague’s retirement. I had helped with the organization, so letting go completely wasn’t quite possible yet. And that was actually quite nice. It softened the goodbye. I won’t miss the work, but the people… that’s a different story. For more than ten years, we shared our highs and lows. Births, losses, illness, happiness. Life, in all its facets, compressed into one team. You don’t just leave that behind.

Five sheets of ‘to-dos’

At home, my to-do list hangs prominently on the wall. Five full sheets of paper. No app, no neat little checkboxes, just paper, right in my face. From managing subscriptions to finishing my website in three languages, from sorting out gear to clearing out my apartment. Sometimes it feels like I’m dismantling my old life piece by piece to make room for something new.

Like a pack mule through the dunes

Last weekend, I needed some air. I went to Scheveningen to catch up with my oldest friend—nearly 45 years of friendship. Incredible, really. We’re getting older, but some bonds never wear out. I turned it into a little adventure: via Katwijk towards camping Duinhorst in Wassenaar, along the Dutch Coastal Path.

And there I went. Through loose sand. Like a pack mule. Dragging my Wheelie behind me. Every step a small struggle. And somewhere halfway through, doubt kicked in. Am I really going to do this full-time soon?

Of course, that’s nonsense. Fitness will return, but my wintry, comfortable life was making itself felt. Doubt or not: this is what I’ve chosen.

And this is only the beginning.