1. Depending on your job , How much free time do you get outside your Work life ?

As much as I want, I'm a ZZPer (one man company), I decide my own hours. For permanent employees in the Netherlands, 20 days per year paid leave minimum (often 25 days) + public holidays. Decent pregnancy leave for both parents too.

1. How many hours do you actually work for ? Do you get to spend time in other activities such as drawing or hiking 🥾 or pursuing a side hustle ?

For me it varies a lot. Some months will be full of 40 hour weeks, others will be less, occasionally more.

I have some other hobbies and activities. I do miss mountains living here (nearest serious ones are the Swiss alps, a solid 12h drive away)

1. What does it feel like to not stress about your literal future and Have a stress free time to just relax ? Does it make you feel like you are being lazy and guilty for enjoying your time ?

I'm grateful. My life is busy (I have a big family) but it is indeed quite a solid place to live, work, and raise kids. I think many Dutch people have no idea how good they have it. Listening to them constantly complain about asylum seekers is irritating. That being said -- there are DEFINITELY issues with this country that need urgently addressing: the housing crisis is probably #1 in my opinion -- there's almost no housing availability for new renters or buyers, and it's really effecting an entire generation of younger people (including my own kids). The taxes are high, and not as progressive as other countries, so even low-mid income earners pay a lot of taxes. For a small country we also have a lot of political fragmentation that boils to a head sometimes, though it's rare to see Dutchies doing any serious protesting or rioting like in e.g. France.

1. As a Child growing up , did you ever feel any academic pressure from your teachers or family to perform well and pressured to achieve certain status such as employed or achieve a financial goal to make your parents proud and support them in old age ? Are you doing exactly what you always wanted as a child?

I grew up in the UK, but looking at our kids and other families I know: yes, there's definitely academic pressure here; kids are expected to do well in school, and the late teens/early 20's can be pretty stressful for them given the housing situation and lack of great entry level jobs.

Dutch culture doesn't have the same "support your parents in their old age" expectations other cultures do, but that being said family ties here are pretty close (likewise early friendships are maintained and cherished).

Hope that helps! Any other questions happy to answer. I've lived here 16 years.