In a country far, far away...

​My coach, Corine, sits in front of me at the kitchen table. "Well Sanne tell me, what are we going to talk about this week?" A few weeks before, I had contacted her. It has been several years since I had felt ‘balanced’, which eventually resulted in burnout. I decided that things had to change. I contacted Corine so, together with her, I could get my life back on track.
"I booked a ticket to the Dominican Republic. I want to travel for four months through the Caribbean, Central and South America". I state proudly, pleased with the feeling that I finally got my life back on track. Corine looks surprised; "Wow, you`re really jumping in the deep end aren`t you? So you are taking a nice four-month break, recharge your battery, and then back to your old life?" I lean back in my seat, contemplating this view point. To really change my life I had to take drastic measures.
 
I look at the customs worker, he looks at my passport, then glances back at me. I smile as friendly as possible. Jorien's gone through customs and waits with her perfect Barbie-figure and her perfectly styled outfit. I look back, my parents are behind the fences together with my good friend Isabel. They wave and are throwing air kisses. Now it's really happening. I quit my job, all my belongings are sold or given away. Only my dearest possessions are now stored in cardboard boxes in the attic. I'm single again, after seven years. Here I am, standing with a backpack and a plane ticket to the Dominican Republic.
"Ms. de Groot ... Ms. de Groot!" terrified I look up, it's the sergeant. “You may proceed.” I put my ticket in my passport, and step across the border towards Jorien. One last time I turn around and wave to my parents and Isabel. The adventure is about to begin!

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