Slowing down: a fast track to connection

11 Sep 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Lately I am pondering, and writing, about the basic skills that create deeper connection. I like getting into the nitty gritty of what creates connection, and I also love making it simple, to the point where anyone can practise these basic skills whenever they want to.

One of the most simple – and profound – of these skills, is slowing down.

Why learning relational skills is good for your relationship(s)

5 Sep 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

I was reaching out to people about our upcoming Art of Connection – Amsterdam Circling Weekend and I found myself sharing how these weekends are an excellent opportunity to practise your relational skills for dating and intimate relationships.

That might seem obvious, yet I would love to elaborate a bit on the why of this being a good idea.

Want to hear me talk about Authentic Relating & how I apply it in daily life?

30 Aug 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

I was interviewed for this amazing podcast a few weeks ago.

Jason Digges is one of the people that is deep into Authentic Relating and spreading it to the mainstream world with his company ART. So our missions are very aligned. And I loved talking to him!

6 tips to go offline this holiday – and why it is important

30 Jul 2019.Reading time 9 minutes.

We have all forgotten how to rest – properly.

A big reason for this is that we are online, all the time. We are constantly bombarded with information, and our brains and nervous systems never get a chance to really switch off. Which leads to higher levels of stress, burn-out and general unease and even disease.

So it is hugely beneficial to go offline for periods of time, not just for yourself, but for your business and job as well. Let alone for the quality of your connections.

Do you need wine to have a good time?

29 Jul 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

It is summer! And I thought this was an excellent time to write a newsletter about the link between alcohol and (social) connection.

Alcohol has been social lubricant number one since forever, and with summer in full bloom (read: blasting heatwaves here in Amsterdam) I find myself in situations where I need some lubrication. And I am in full investigation into what this does to my levels of connection: feeling connected to myself, and others.

My journey in Circling – and what I learned in the process

8 Jul 2019.Reading time 14 minutes.

I realised recently that I do not often share my story of how I got into Circling: what pulled me to the practice, and what path I have walked in learning about, implementing and finally leading people in this relational journey, deeper home to themselves and their connection to others.

Well, as most of my journeys (used to) start: I started of with a shit ton of resistance.

You have permission to fuck up

2 Jul 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

One of the things I need to tell myself over and over again, is that I have permission to fuck up. And try again. And one of the things that are most impactful in the weekends and trainings I teach is hammering that same sentence in:

You have permission to fuck up.

Facing fallibility: what I learned as a leader

27 Jun 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

A few weeks ago I facilitated the second weekend in the current Find Your Flavour – Circling Leadership Training.

As a leader, what came up for me in this process is the really clear realisation that I am fallible.

I cannot do everything, be everything, or have the capacity for whatever comes my way.

Why there is wisdom in asking for help

29 May 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Asking for help. Of all the themes I work with clients on, this one is high on the list. It is a thing many people struggle with; a fear to reach out for support. They carry stories (“I am not good enough”, “I am not wanted”, “I am a nuisance”) that have them do everything by themselves. Every time I encounter this I feel sad. And tender. Because we human beings are not meant to go it alone.

How creating focus helped me spend time on the things that matter

16 May 2019.Reading time 7 minutes.

So… how is your focus nowadays? If you have any at all in this time of constant input and distraction it is almost a miracle. Focus requires attention, choice, and eliminating what you do not want and what is less important to you.