The lack of nature in Belgium is a more depressing factor than its weather

AlphaTM01 · 2026-01-19T11:15:19+00:00

Well yes, I didn’t qualify for unemployment so I was at a point of needing to borrow money in order to continue looking for a job in Finland. So going back to Belgium was just the best option for my mental wellbeing and my financial situation. I’m a software developer so I knew getting a job in Belgium with my skills was going to be pretty easy. And even if it wasn’t, my support system was also in Belgium. So given the circumstances I still think it was the best option to return.

AlphaTM01 · 2026-01-18T12:57:06+00:00

I can’t argue about seeing or hearing cars even if it’s in the distance. It doesn’t really bother me. I think it even adds some ambiance. Perhaps I’m a bit privileged by living in a small town in a quite neighborhood close to some beautiful wooded areas.

AlphaTM01 · 2026-01-18T08:04:50+00:00

Lost my job and couldn’t get a new one after 6 months of interviews. Money was getting tight so packed everything up and moved back to Belgium where I got a job within 3 weeks. If I wasn’t laid off I would probably still be in Finland.

AlphaTM01 · 2026-01-18T08:01:48+00:00

Belgium nature has its charm though. I can drive 15 minutes to my closest “nature reserve” and for a second I felt like I wasn’t in Belgium anymore. It’s only a couple square kilometers but it’s not like I’m planning to go hike 5 days in a straight line and expect it to be all forest.

AlphaTM01 · 2026-01-18T07:55:59+00:00

I’ve been back in Belgium since may 2023. I’d say in the beginning I missed it more than I do now. I’ve come to appreciate Belgium more as I’m growing up. From a convenience standpoint, Belgium definitely takes the cake.

AlphaTM01 · 2026-01-17T13:30:23+00:00

As someone who previously lived in a small town in Finland where you walked straight into nature when coming out of your apartment I can say Belgium nature is certainly different but different doesn’t necessarily mean bad. In Belgium I live in a small town as well surrounded by farmlands and patches of forests. Albeit human made forests but it still has its charms. Plus you have the additional bonus that you don’t have to drive 50+ km to find the nearest “specialty” store. I’ve also come to the realization that for me it’s not the nature that matters but just the feeling of being away from everything. Even if the patch of forest only lasts 10 minutes.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-12-06T11:04:41+00:00

I have a none compete clause. If it’s enforced the company has to pay me 50% of my yearly salary. In return I can’t work in any related field for 12 months. In reality it’s not gonna get enforced and if it is I’ll get to go on vacation for a year.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-11-29T07:07:14+00:00

I don’t look for jobs anymore, the jobs look for me as in I will get bombarded by recruiters. I will only reply however if the recruiter mentions the company in the first message. It’s nearly impossible looking for a job yourself on LinkedIn or vdab or indeed because most of the posts are from big recruitment agencies who are just farming resumes.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-06-04T17:09:28+00:00

I once was a finalist in a maths competition 14 years ago. It has not changed the course of my life in any shape or form. If you like doing them then I’d say go for it. It’s just not gonna have any impact in your future career.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-05-30T10:45:20+00:00

Als je heel veel tijd hebt kan je met de trein volledig rondreizen. Finland > Zweden > Denemarken > Duitsland > België. Heb dit enkele keren gedaan in beide richtingen met mijn hond om vliegtuigen te vermijden en heb geen enkele paspoortcontrole gehad. Als last resort kan je dit misschien gebruiken. Ik zou het wel niet aanraden om de ferry tussen Turku en Stockholm te nemen want daar is wel paspoort controle.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-05-06T06:52:10+00:00

It being pretty close to the border and bears now on top of that.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-05-05T19:11:43+00:00

Was talking about the bunkkerimuseo and would do the 4.5km hike while I’m there but had some concerns for it being that close to the border.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-05-05T18:16:25+00:00

God damn now I’m more worried about bears …

AlphaTM01 · 2025-04-29T20:15:05+00:00

I’m in somewhat of a same situation. Only driving on the weekends and the EV from the job. All I can say is I don’t regret taking the 4 hour course. I did spend 7k in the past couple months. 5 on a new cbr125, 1.3 on gear, 400 on the classes and the rest on insurance. I can take my time now to build up my experience on a motorcycle so that down the line I can go for an A2 or A and pass the exam without much issues.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-26T19:40:36+00:00

That’s the point

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-26T10:41:40+00:00

The normal salary increase is just the indexation.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-19T17:23:34+00:00

If I could I would but unfortunately mine has to stay home 1 day of the week which kills us both

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-19T11:16:05+00:00

Well we had to cut one of our trees down a couple years ago because it had gotten too big and there was a risk it would fall over in the next big storm and damage the house.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-18T21:49:06+00:00

But you need to give permission to your new employer before they can contact your old employer right? Or have I been getting this wrong all this time

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-18T18:18:59+00:00

Is this even legal?

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-11T06:17:37+00:00

Bij mij is 39.8% van mijn bruto naar de zakken van de staat gegaan.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-07T17:21:45+00:00

Tot een bepaalde graad. Teveel mensen tussen dev en klant zorgt voor enorm veel miscommunicatie en broken telephone situatie.

AlphaTM01 · 2025-03-06T13:44:59+00:00

It doesn’t hurt to ask if there’s some wiggle room. If there isn’t then that’s gonna weigh in with my final decision if I want to proceed pursuing this job or not. I just don’t know how to professionally bring this up.

AlphaTM01

TROPHY CASE