14/10/2026
52. Happy Birthday to me
Turning 52 has me reflecting on my journey so far. What am I proud of? What have I learned? And what might the next chapter hold?
At 25, I left my home country and moved to the Netherlands, where I’ve lived ever since. Far from family and without that warm blanket of support around the corner, I learned a new language, built a life and found my own strength.
My greatest achievements? My two wonderful children. My daughter turned 21 in June, and my son turned 18 on 5 October. ❤️ Back then, I was a different woman, building a life with someone I believed was my soulmate. Little did I know what lay ahead.
I’ve climbed mountains, slid down slopes, picked myself up and discovered resilience in places I never knew existed. Along the way, I found a passion for teaching, training and coaching, helping others discover the strength already within them.
But here’s the thing about turning 52…
I still don’t have all the answers. How do I get where I want to be?
I’m learning to trust the journey, hold on to my vision and believe that things will unfold in their own time. There are still places to experience, things to create, people to meet, love to give and receive, and dreams waiting to materialise.
❤️ I’ve loved, lost, laughed, cried, learned and started again. This is me, still growing and embracing what comes next.
Life has recently handed me a HUGE bag of unexpected lemons. 🍋😂 Rather than rushing to make lemonade, trying desperately to turn a negative into a positive I’m contemplating how best to use them to my advantage. Watch this space!
Resilience isn’t about enduring everything with a smile. It’s about having the courage to begin again.
I’m not starting from scratch. I’m starting from experience.
Here’s to 52: grateful for the life I’ve lived, proud of the woman I’ve become, and excited about the opportunities, adventures and love still to unfold.
Happy birthday to me! 🥂❤️✨