” The reason why we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel. ” -Steve Furtick
This past Sunday my family and I attended Expatica’s tenth annual “I am Not a Tourist Fair” in Amsterdam. We were also there to accept my first ever blogging award (2nd place!). Part of it, of course, entailed me having to go up the stage and read an excerpt from my blog post. Those who know me personally know that I suffer from stage fright. There’s a reason after all why I love writing rather than public speaking.
Nonetheless, I was grateful for the experience of getting out of my comfort zone. I see it as an opportunity for growth. What I loved most was actually meeting the other two contestants, Jess from Aesthetic Fauna (1st place) and Stew from Invading Holland (3rd place). I was also able to quickly say hello to Renée from Profesional Parents Network, Olga from European Mama and Ute from Expat Since Birth. Writing can be a lonely experience and I naturally gravitate towards other kindred spirits who hold a special place for blogging (writing) in their lives.
I also loved seeing my husband, my partner-in-crime, looking at me while I was on stage with so much love and adoration. It was such a craptastic week. Six consecutive days of 16 hour work days- him chasing entrepreneurial success and me being a stay-at-home mom to our highly spirited 18 month old toddler. Our life as a young expat family is physically taxing, mentally draining and emotionally exhausting. It’s part of the bargain we both signed up for raising our son in a foreign country with no family support. We glanced at each other from across the room and exhale -we survived and despite all the challenges, little disappoints and heartaches, we smiled counting our blessings like stars in the sky.
Second place never felt so good. It was an honest, yet surreal place to be with a blog that’s only two months old. For those who voted for my blog, thank-you. It felt like a warm hug from a dear old friend welcoming me home to the world of writing. While I am beyond the point of being tired (exhausted to be more accurate) and I have a perpetual eye-twitch due to severe sleep deprivation, I love how blogging has made me feel more connected to the outside world. I hope you continue to find my blog as a place of camaraderie and re-assurance.
Here’s to Finding Dutchland, where ever you may be.
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