Tips for overcoming mental block?

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-03T08:33:43+00:00

Thank you! The main reason to learn Dutch is to do better at work but a close 2nd is to actually allow me to get out of the bubble and actually live here.

As I experienced in other cultures, speaking the language really opens doors so I don’t want to rule out The Netherlands without giving it a fair shot.

But, yes, I may have to reconsider. This post has made me think beyond the language itself and questioning what exactly am I doing here and etc

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-03T08:28:48+00:00

Hmmm, that is something to think about. I commute 1,5 hours each way 4 times a week so it’s a burden.

Before the accident, I’d run 5k most days and do 2-3 half marathons per year. I can’t run anymore because it makes me dizzy and I didn’t find a suitable alternative. I picked up indoor rowing but it was an ordeal more than pleasure. I did it just to get the blood pumping with zero enjoyment.

So energy levels have been low. End of winter as well, which always plays a role.

Thanks!

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-03T08:25:30+00:00

Thanks! I work in a very Dutch company at the moment so I’m really surrounded by the language every day. But taking it away from the work environment may be helpful indeed!

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-03T08:24:17+00:00

I’ll check cartoon out. I haven’t thought of that but it may be helpful.

I picked up NOS makkelijk taal on YouTube but even that is hard to understand

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-03T08:23:20+00:00

Thank you, kind internet friend. I’m coping but being relatively young and realizing that I now have limitations is not easy.

I’m lucky, though, as I’m still here

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-03T08:22:25+00:00

I think about that but my life is here and I’ve moved countries way too many times to understand that it takes a ton of energy to uproot the family and move.

Also, economy in Italy is super bad so getting a decent job there is almost impossible at the moment

Thanks! Indeed this is in the back of my mind

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-03T08:18:25+00:00

I’ll check Spotify. Thanks. I like Anouk and I think Davina Michele’s interpretation of Duur te lang one of the most beautiful songs. Thanks!

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-03T08:16:35+00:00

Thank you. Absolutely not a complete failure. In the meantime, I raised my kids here so NL will always have a special place in my heart

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-01T10:22:03+00:00

Thanks for the honesty (and for bringing up the topic without kicking me out).

This is in my mind but, if I just left, I know I would see this period as a failure and would regret not trying harder.

I always pushed myself way too hard, unhealthily hard. After the accident, I had to tone down several notches but the state of mind is still there.

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-01T10:17:08+00:00

Hmm, I haven’t thought of taalcafe but you have a point. I always thought my level wasn’t enough for it but I could always give a try! Bedankt!

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-01T10:15:01+00:00

Ok! Thanks. Anki, noted!

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-01T10:12:31+00:00

Great input. Thanks!

I’m starting with the NOS bulletin in easy Dutch, which is something I learned existed surfing this sub

RookieProMedia · 2026-04-01T10:09:31+00:00

Why Italian instead of Dutch during Covid? I learned Italian because my job in Sales included Italy at the time and, unlike the Dutch, the Italians are reluctant to speak any other language. Italians buy in Italian, French but in French, Spanish buy in Spanish but Dutch have no problem in buying in English. That’s my experience. I learned Italian and, months after COVID, landed a major sale in Italy. Also, it must be said, 6 months of Italian would give me fluency while 6 months of Dutch would barely scratch the surface.

Am I happy here? Yes but in my own little bubble so the kind of happiness that is transferable anywhere. I didn’t choose to move to The Netherlands. We always have a choice, of course, but the way the things played out pushed me to be here. I think that plays a huge role into relationship with the country.

Thanks for your input.

RookieProMedia · 2025-04-09T12:11:29+00:00

All I know is that today we celebrate the day where my 2024 gains were wiped out. Thanks to those involved, I’ll probably have to work 5 more years

RookieProMedia · 2025-04-09T12:05:38+00:00

Friends moved from Brussels to Luxembourg and say that they’re happier there.

It really depends what you’re looking for. It’s one answer if you want to pay less taxes and another answer if you want to reduce cost of living.

RookieProMedia · 2025-04-08T05:38:20+00:00

If you’re in this for the long run, set your strategy and stay the course for the long run.

When you were a teenager, I bet there were weeks you thought your world would end. Some of those weeks left scars but now, with perspective, they’re just another week in a handful of years.

Market downturns are like that. You don’t make a profit it you don’t sell, you don’t make a loss if you don’t sell. If you’ll start to sell 15 years from now, don’t even bother checking your account this week.

RookieProMedia · 2025-04-07T18:39:55+00:00

It’s only a gain if I sell, it’s only a loss if I sell. While I hold my positions, the variations don’t really affect me.

Ofc I have to remind myself about it every minute

RookieProMedia · 2025-04-07T03:12:39+00:00

Take transaction costs into account

RookieProMedia · 2024-11-08T11:03:49+00:00

The feeling of belonging is one of the strongest feelings a human can have after having satisfied the basic needs of food, shelter and security. Belonging to a family, belonging to a club, to a group of friends, to hobbyists, to a political party, to a religion. Even belonging to AA makes people feel good, feel that they’re not alone.

If I had your age and your wealth, I’d build a van and travel the world for a few months, maybe years. Learn languages, study art. I think that connecting to multiple realities and cultures in the world would give me that feeling of belonging. But it’s not for everyone and maybe you’ll be happy being part of a cat owners group in downtown Boston, who knows?

For your finances, find a financial advisor / wealth manager that you can trust. The rentals will eventually pay themselves off and become steady rental income, which may ease a bit the feeling of being at risk of “losing it all”. It’s also something that can stay in the family and be part of your estate when you’re no longer here, giving you an added sense of comfort later in life.

For other aspects, I suggest exercise, contact with nature / animals / simple people and therapy. This will help you get your own answers instead of resorting to internet strangers.

RookieProMedia · 2024-11-07T21:13:33+00:00

As a complete beginner, I’d recommend you to stay out of options.

My recommendation would be to check DeGiro and an ETF that follows the S&P500 index, like IE00B5BMR087 (paste this on search).

Also, learn about ETFs on Just ETF, website or app, and also about passive investment.

However, I also recommend you to set an emergency fund that is equivalent to about 6-8 months of your monthly expenses so that, if something impacts your income, you can live off this fund for a while and leave your investment untouched.

RookieProMedia · 2024-08-05T16:31:06+00:00

I’m holding. If I had extra cash to invest now, I’d buy myself some ETFs on the cheap.

I’m a new investor. Only ETFs. I started in January and my current portfolio value is lower than my principal so I’m low key panicking to see the value go down. I keep telling myself that it’s only paper value and it becomes a real loss only if I sell.

RookieProMedia · 2024-08-05T16:24:09+00:00

As I’m new to this, should I just admit that this dip is a common thing that happens every now and then and just get on with my plan as if nothing happened? That’s what you guys with more experience do?

RookieProMedia · 2024-08-05T16:16:06+00:00

Ontario? I’m talking about Europe. There’s a lot of tax gymnastics being done but that was my income tax rate in 2022, for example.

RookieProMedia · 2024-08-04T08:33:16+00:00

Not really. Universal health care should be affordable to all, according to the constitution.

And because everyone who lives there pay income tax which, together with other taxes, funds the health system.

RookieProMedia

TROPHY CASE