A Week in the Netherlands: Work, Walks, and Weekend Adventures

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Balancing Work and Home Life

Working From Home and Evening Walks

Mondays are for working from home, a luxurious soft start to the week. I love the flexibility; it allows for a more relaxed morning routine, a small breakfast, and some tea before diving into emails and projects. The quiet focus of my home office is a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the office itself.

Evenings, however, are a different story. After a day spent at my laptop, I find the best way to unwind is a long walk. Luckily, I live near the dunes and the beach. The setting sun casting its golden light over the landscape is the perfect antidote to screen fatigue. It’s a chance to clear my head, breathe in the fresh air, and appreciate the beauty of my surroundings.

These evening walks have become a cherished ritual, a way to decompress and transition from work mode to relaxation mode. It's a simple pleasure, but profoundly effective. The combination of a quiet work-from-home day and the invigorating stroll along the beach makes for a really balanced approach to my work-life integration.

Commuting to Rotterdam and Enjoying a Chef-Prepared Lunch

Tuesdays and Thursdays usually find me commuting to my Rotterdam office. The journey takes a little over an hour, but honestly? I don't mind it that much. It's a surprisingly relaxing way to start the day, a chance to unwind before diving into work. The train journey itself is generally pleasant, and the crowds aren't nearly as bad as one might expect.

My company provides an NS business card, which means the commute is entirely on them—a perk I certainly appreciate! It's a thoughtful touch that reduces the stress associated with daily commutes and adds a bit of ease to the whole work-life balance equation.

But the best part of working in the Rotterdam office? Hands down, the lunch. Every day, we're treated to a warm, chef-prepared meal. It's a truly amazing benefit, a delicious and convenient way to fuel up midday. It eliminates the daily lunch-packing routine, and it's a far cry from my usual leftover Thai takeaway!

Evening Stroll in The Hague

After a productive work-from-home day, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues. My boyfriend wasn't home yet, so I took the opportunity to edit some video clips. But soon enough, the allure of the nearby dunes and beach proved too strong to resist.

Later, I met up with a friend for a walk through the heart of The Hague. The weather was glorious; a perfect opportunity to enjoy the city's ambiance. It was a delightful way to unwind after work, a chance to chat, and simply appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

The stroll itself was lovely, a gentle rhythm of conversation and observation. We meandered along, soaking in the atmosphere, and enjoying a welcome break from the usual routine. The Hague really revealed itself in this casual, evening light; a different kind of beauty emerged.

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Shopping Adventures and Culinary Delights

A Thursday Shopping Spree in Den Haag

Thursday afternoons in the Netherlands are a game-changer. Shops stay open later, a godsend for those of us who work full-time. So, after finishing up at the Rotterdam office, I hopped on a train to Den Haag Centraal, ready for a shopping spree with my boyfriend and friend, Taru.

My mission? New jeans. I'd been searching for months! It's amazing how hard it is to find the perfect pair. This wasn't just any shopping trip; it was a quest. And thankfully, the quest was successful! I found some basic mom jeans – exactly what I needed. Plus, I snagged a gorgeous green button-up shirt at a great discount from one of my favorite Dutch shops.

The day was long, but ultimately rewarding. It felt good to finally add some key pieces to my wardrobe. My new purchases – those perfectly fitting jeans and a vibrant green shirt – felt like small victories after a week of work and early mornings. And even better: a 50% off discount!

Date Night and Peruvian Food

Friday evenings are special; a little ritual to mark the start of the weekend. This week, it involved a date night with my boyfriend, a welcome change of pace after a long week of work.

Our destination? A Peruvian restaurant near our home. During our trip to Peru, we both fell hard for the cuisine – I think it's seriously underrated. It was a delicious way to celebrate finishing the work week and reminisce about our travels.

Grocery Shopping and Plate Dilemma

Midweek, after a productive work-from-home day, a trip to the Jumbo XL grocery store was in order. I love this place – the sheer variety feels like a throwback to Finnish supermarkets. This time, they even had free kibbling to sample!

But the real adventure wasn't about groceries; it was about plates. We desperately needed some larger ones. Our current selection, a mismatched collection from a Finnish brand and a couple of fun finds from an Asian shop, was inadequate. I'd been agonizing over whether to expand my existing, high-quality set or start fresh. The decision, after much deliberation, was to order three more of the larger plates from my trusty Finnish set. These plates, a gift from years ago, are still in perfect condition – a testament to their durability.

It’s funny, isn't it? How much we get attached to seemingly insignificant things? The plates were far from the most exciting part of my week, but there’s something satisfying about replacing well-used items. In the end, it was just one small step towards building a more comfortable, functional home.

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Weekend Delights: Cat Cafes and Birthday Celebrations

Weekend Morning and Cat Cafe Visit

Saturday dawned bright and sunny, a welcome change after a week of varied weather. I felt surprisingly refreshed, despite a slightly restless night battling a migraine. A quick dose of medication and a few extra hours of sleep worked wonders, leaving me feeling ready to tackle the day. My plan? A leisurely breakfast followed by a much-anticipated visit to a cat cafe with my colleague, Alina.

First, breakfast in my favorite Hague neighborhood, the Zeeheldenkwartier. It's a charming area, brimming with cafes and shops – perfect for a future video, I thought. The food was delicious; a perfect start to the day. Afterward, Alina and I headed to the cat cafe. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. The cats were the stars, of course – cute, cuddly, and surprisingly social.

Alina fell for a particularly chunky black cat (though it remained aloof!), while I was smitten with a tuxedo cat. The cafe itself was lovely, and the food surprisingly good – a welcome change from the typical cat-cafe fare. Pro-tip: grab a window seat for prime cat-watching and cuddle opportunities! All in all, it was a purr-fect way to spend a Saturday morning.

Shopping and Lamp Shade Discovery

Thursday afternoon finally arrived, that magical time when Dutch shops extend their hours. After work in Rotterdam, my boyfriend and friend Taru and I embarked on a much-needed shopping expedition in The Hague. My primary mission? Finding the elusive perfect pair of jeans, a quest that had lasted for months. It felt more like a treasure hunt than just shopping.

Success! I unearthed a pair of classic mom jeans – exactly what I’d been envisioning. And the icing on the cake? A fantastic find at a favorite Dutch shop – a gorgeous green button-up shirt, fifty percent off! The thrill of the hunt, coupled with a great deal, made even the most exhausted shopper feel victorious.

Our shopping spree wasn't limited to clothes. Afterward, we stumbled upon a charming little lampshade shop, a true hidden gem. The unique designs and the overall ambiance of the store were so captivating, it felt like stepping into a different world. Though I didn't purchase a lampshade that day, the experience added a whimsical, unexpected touch to our shopping adventure.

Leiden Birthday Celebration and Karaoke

One Saturday evening, I headed to Leiden, my old hometown, for a birthday celebration. My friend Deia was turning 30, and we were all excited to celebrate her milestone birthday. The evening started with dinner, but the real highlight was yet to come.

Later, we moved on to karaoke. We'd booked a large private room, just for our group. It was such a blast! There's something wonderfully therapeutic about belting out your favorite tunes with friends, letting loose and just having fun. Seriously, I highly recommend it – it's a surprisingly good stress reliever.

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Week in Review and Closing Thoughts

A Week in Review Conclusion

Looking back, this week was a delightful mix of the ordinary and the unexpected. From the quiet focus of my home office Mondays to the bustling energy of the Rotterdam office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the rhythm of my work week felt surprisingly balanced. The chef-prepared lunches in Rotterdam were a real highlight, a luxurious perk I never take for granted. And those Thursday evenings? Extended shopping hours in The Hague meant finally finding the perfect pair of jeans – a small victory that felt surprisingly significant after a long week.

Weekends offered a welcome change of pace. A cat café visit with a colleague, a leisurely breakfast in my favorite Hague neighborhood, and a karaoke session with friends in Leiden all contributed to a feeling of genuine relaxation and connection. Even seemingly mundane tasks, like replacing our mismatched plates with a new set, brought a quiet satisfaction. It's the little things, isn't it?

Overall, this week showcased the beauty of integrating work and life in a way that feels both productive and fulfilling. The simple pleasures – a sunset stroll on the beach, a delicious meal with my boyfriend, or a good chat with a friend – were just as important as the more ambitious goals, like finding those elusive jeans. I'm already looking forward to next week, and I hope you'll join me on my next adventure!

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FAQ

How does the author balance work and life in the Netherlands?

The author uses a flexible work-from-home arrangement on Mondays, allowing for a relaxed start and evening walks to unwind. Tuesdays and Thursdays involve commuting to a Rotterdam office with a chef-prepared lunch, reducing stress and adding convenience. The author incorporates evening walks, shopping trips, and weekend activities such as visiting a cat cafe and karaoke, highlighting a balance between work and leisure.

What are some of the author's favorite activities and places in the Netherlands?

The author enjoys evening walks along the dunes and beach, shopping in The Hague (especially on Thursdays when shops stay open later), visiting a cat cafe, and exploring the Zeeheldenkwartier neighborhood in The Hague. They also mention enjoying Peruvian food and karaoke with friends in Leiden.