I often get the question: "What do you actually do all day now that you're living in Norway as a trailing spouse?" I heard this question quite frequently before we moved to Norway, and last weekend in the Netherlands, it came up again. I was there for the La Vita è Bella art exhibition at De Nispenhoeve in Prinsenbeek, where I exhibit my work alongside more than 20 other artists. It was wonderful to see my family and (photography) friends again after nearly half a year.
A trailing spouse is often seen as someone who passively follows their partner's career, without their own goals. But honestly, I’m doing quite well and making sure my days are fully occupied. People are curious about what my daily life looks like now that we live here. Are you curious too? Then keep reading!
New insights and expanding Troostkunst
It's been five months now since we moved to Norway, and time is flying! This period has brought us not only many new experiences but also inspiration for my (international) company, Troostkunst. I am currently brainstorming a good international name that better reflects the transformation my company is undergoing.
Diversify
In June, I participated in the Kraft program via Diversify, a work/business/integration program specifically for immigrants. This program gave me a lot of insight into Norwegian culture and practical matters such as finding a job, dentist, and language courses. We had workshops on personal qualities, teamwork, and setting up your own business.
Beyond the practical knowledge gained from the program, it also gave me new insights into my creative journey. Participating in this program has greatly expanded my network and continues to offer valuable opportunities.
The healing power of nature and art
During the program, I frequently heard how calming and peaceful people find my nature photography. This feedback made me realize that my work has broader potential beyond 'Grief and Loss.' As a result, I am expanding my business to encompass Wellness, Well-Being, and Healing, while maintaining 'Grief and Loss' as a core pillar within the Healing program. By broadening my focus, I can reach more people with my art and deepen my connection with Mother Earth through my offerings. I firmly believe that nature plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being.
Mentoring and new projects
Although the Kraft program has officially ended, I am still working with my mentor Rebeca Hazelnut, a personal branding expert. A special aspect of the program is the free mentor guidance for six months. We meet every second Wednesday morning to work on my personal brand.
What are we working on? We’re exploring potential income streams and building my authority within my field, including platforms like 1x.com. I'm excited to share that I currently have nine images published, with four of them awarded!
Over the past few years, I’ve quietly accomplished quite a bit, and now you can see the results on my international website. It’s undergoing a transformation to reflect the changes in my business, with a completely rewritten homepage and a fresh new look being rolled out across the site.
Check out the redesigned homepage to see my latest work, and let me know what you think about the new direction. I’d love to hear your feedback.
Rebeca often gives me homework, which helps me work more strategically towards my goals. This process is already yielding great results, such as my recent pilot nature photography workshop, which received very positive feedback.
Work for Nature Talks
In addition to these new developments, I’m still working for Nature Talks and the Nature Photographer of the Year Contest. I have been doing this remotely since I was in the Netherlands, and I am fortunate enough to continue it here in Norway. Tuesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to these projects. It feels good to stay connected to my roots in nature photography, despite the move.
Weekly structure with focus block
Thanks to inspiration from René Hogenes, I’ve developed a clear weekly structure that helps me manage my time effectively, using the deep focus methodology. For example, I’ve decided to dedicate Mondays to marketing, focusing entirely on promotion and visibility (including LinkedIn). Wednesday is my mission and artistic development day, allowing time for creative growth and further defining my mission. Friday is reserved for hosting workshops or taking courses to further develop myself. This structure gives me a lot of focus and direction in both my work and personal projects. The weeks fly by with this schedule!
What’s on the agenda for this week?
Even though I usually stick to my weekly schedule, this week looks a little different. Monday will be dedicated to training for the Diversify Nordic Summit in Oslo, which takes place this Friday. It’s the very first conference on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. With 100 speakers from various disciplines, I’m excited to be volunteering for this event.
New routines and personal goals
Now that we’ve settled in more, we’re making time for new routines and activities. Exercising and learning Norwegian are high on our list of priorities. I’m even considering working with a personal trainer, and we’re eager to improve our language skills. And of course, there’s Antarctica, which is getting closer – an adventure I can’t wait to embark on!
It feels like everything is in motion. I’m excited about what the coming months will bring and eager to explore new opportunities as they arise.
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