Itchy!

Ugh, what a terrible night. I can’t sleep from the itching. My legs look like a currant bun, with big bumps everywhere that just keep itching. Probably horsefly bites, since I had to keep swatting those bugs away from me, but maybe also from some mosquitoes along the way and from a path with nettles, which are very rare here. It’s also raining. The coffee doesn’t really perk me up, but I decide to go anyway. It’s not raining very hard and according to the forecast, it will stop after noon.

Chilling in the library

However, when I come across a library after visiting the nearby supermarket, I am quickly tempted. I go inside and sit at a table. I plug in my power banks and start writing. I won’t let such an opportunity pass. Eventually, I stay there until two o’clock. My power bank is charged again, but I clearly am still not fully recharged.

Wobbly knees

What a difference in energy and mood compared to yesterday, when everything was superlatives. Today I don’t feel steady on my feet and my knees feel weak. I trip three times in a row over a tree root, something that normally never happens to me.

Core Quadrants Model by Ofman

Perseverance is a quality I’ve always been very proud of, and I still am. But in the past, I could just keep going, even when it wasn’t healthy for me – in a relationship, at work, or anything else – because I thought I had to. I reflect on the time when I had my own business and worked as a career and reintegration coach. The core quadrant model by Ofman was a handy tool. In short, it states that every quality also has a pitfall if taken too far. Someone who is good at persevering might, for example, end up being overly persistent. And it’s precisely in your allergy – behavior you dislike in others – that you can discover which quality corresponds to it. This is useful for people who aren’t quite sure what their qualities are, which happens more often than you think.

Overly persistent quality

Now I thankfully recognize it. When my quality of ‘perseverance’ goes too far, I end up being overly persistent, unable to let go, or being inflexible. I don’t want to fall into that pitfall anymore. I’ve learned my lesson. I had it in my head to walk 25 km, but I realize it’s simply not wise to do that today. Therefore, I adjust my pace and check the map for alternatives. Three kilometers from the route are three shelters with – according to the description – a beautiful viewpoint. It’s only 7.5 km more to walk in total. That’s what I’m going to do.

Five friends

Still, it is quite challenging. It’s not for nothing that it’s a viewpoint – those are generally located high up, duh – and the last 1.5 km is difficult with annoying climbs, stones, and protruding tree roots. When I arrive, I come across a group of young people. Five friends who are on vacation. I quickly scan everything. The promised view can only be seen if you climb on top of one of the shelters, and there’s music playing, which I usually find terrible, but they turn it down a bit as soon as they see me. When I ask if there is still room, they respond sincerely: ‘Of course!’

Excuse me?

What should I do? The peace I hoped to find is not there, but the annoying people don’t seem too bad either. I stay. One of the three shelters is still empty, and I unpack my things there. The young people go about their business. So do I. I actually assume they’re Swedish. I heard them talking, but I wasn’t listening. At some point, I hear one of the boys exclaim: ‘Excuse me?’ Then I start paying attention. They are Flemish!

Fun with beer

I can’t help but laugh. I’ve been here for about fifteen minutes, and now I’ve only just realized that we essentially speak the same language. We start a nice conversation. They are really nice people, and the many cans of beer don’t make them slur or noisy. They’re just having fun. The music stays on all evening, but surprisingly, I enjoy it. Quite a lot, actually, even though I rarely listen to music for long periods.

Fantastic music

They truly have an excellent playlist with really good songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and sometimes it seems like it was made for me. Especially when the song ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac comes on, which I once played endlessly on a bright orange Philips turntable. This song was on the very first LP I ever bought in my life. It was 1977, I was 13 years old, and I was so proud of this music I purchased with my own savings. Rumours remains a legendary album, that much is clear. I enjoy hearing those guys sing this song together. Almost fifty years later (yikes!), and it’s still a beloved song.

Campfire happiness

The campfire is burning, there’s grilling, singing, laughing, and talking. It feels good, and when I’ve also eaten, I watch from my sleeping bag. I read a bit and am glad I didn’t push through.

Overnight stay: viewpoint Spishall