These are special days.

Everything feels so familiar, so known, so comforting. Being together with everyone feels warm and easy. And at the very same time, it is also a quiet goodbye. Because we know that we will continue our journey again. That dual feeling sits there, gently. Warm and tender, but also a little bittersweet.

What I cherish most is the time together. Laughing, sharing stories, having real conversations, hearing how everyone is doing. Of course, people are curious about our plans. The truth is, those plans are not concrete at all. And sometimes I notice how hard I find it to explain what we are doing and why. Our life looks different from what most people choose. Trying to put into words why this way of living suits us so well, why living on a boat feels so right, is not always easy.

From the outside it may look idyllic. Beautiful images, endless horizons, sunsets, freedom. And yes, there is beauty. But it is not a perfect fairytale. It is small. It is intense. It asks something of you. For some, that makes it seem challenging or even uncomfortable. For us, it feels grounding and calm.

The past days we have truly enjoyed being together. Feeling our roots again. Feeling connected to where we come from. Yesterday one of my sisters said, I miss us. I miss the family we used to be. That sentence stayed with me. Missing something means it mattered. It means it was good. And I believe that deeply.

Now we are shaping a new form together. A different way of being family. And it feels as if we are all enjoying that, in its own way.

I also realised something else. Through my blog, I am often trying to explain what we do and why we do it. While the truth is that I do not fully know yet. We are still on a path. A path of change, transition, discovery. We are learning as we go. And that is exactly it.

On the drive back, it suddenly became clear. We do not have to explain it. We simply have to live it. The meaning will reveal itself. To us, and to those around us. Not everything needs to be defined or justified.

So we will continue our path. We will savour the coming days. A few more precious encounters. Including time with my best friend. Slowly, our thoughts will shift again towards the boat. Towards our bubble. Towards the friends waiting there. Towards new plans, new routes, and whatever lies ahead.

For now, we are deeply grateful for these warm days. Grateful that we came back to the Netherlands for this special time of year. And already gently looking forward to the next.

Sometimes, living is enough.

Written by: Mirjam