This is a now page. It was last updated 2 March 2026.
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the new chapter
It has been only a few days since we moved into Arnhem, yet I’m already convinced we made the right choice. We’re city-people through and through. And we should’ve moved much sooner.
Of course, finding your bearings in the midst of utter chaos is a challenge; our lives are currently a sea of boxes, and we are still navigating the puzzle of where everything belongs. All while running back to the old place to grab the final remnants.
The transition hasn’t been without its “welcome gifts”, either. We’ve been busy with small-scale troubleshooting, like a leaking sink and a clogged drain. I had to install a new drainage line for the dishwasher after a minor flood—who could have guessed the previous tenant would stuff the pipe full of kitchen paper?
It isn’t just us adjusting, either. Loki is completely overwhelmed by the new impulses and the constant parade of noises and scents. He’s exhausted, so we moved his bed into the bedroom. Hopefully, that gives him the quiet sanctuary he needs, also during the day when we are moving about.
One of the biggest shifts is that we are getting rid of the car. It adds a layer of difficulty to the move itself, but the idea of being “car(e)-less” is incredibly attractive. I’m looking forward to the freedom of not worrying about breakdowns, high costs, or whether I parked it safely. I’m even—dare I say it—looking forward to the train commute. To be able to read or write instead of focusing on the road feels like regaining stolen time.
The move wouldn’t be possible without the help of my younger brother, my mom and her partner, and my father. I’m unbelievably grateful with all the help they give me. I just thought that that should be mentioned. Family is important.
Now that we are here, we are starting the process of integrating into the community. Our first steps are to just checking out events on the community bulletin board that caught our eye.
It is a strange, wonderful, and slightly crazy thought to realize that we actually own this place.