As a Dutch person who has now spent most of her life living elsewhere I was so surprised to see Doe Normaal in your title line and then even more surprised to read your interpretation of it - it's completely different from how I experienced it as a teenager growing up in Holland but a really positive take. Growing up I always heard it as a put down "you're nothing special, stop showing off, just be average" and as someone with so many feelings inside of me of wanting big things and big places and big dreams, I always felt it was such an energy squasher of an attitude. I'm kind of amazed that I never considered it from another angle where it's freeing, taking off the pressure. I am literally sitting here reeling - but loving this so much more.
Wow! First, I am so sorry you felt squashed as a child. At first I took doe normaal the way you described, as a limit, a sort of, “Knock it off! Who do you think you are?” But then I thought, what a relief! 😅 it’s like being freed from a grind of hard to achieve ambition. I wonder if the changed view comes with age?
As a Dutch person who has now spent most of her life living elsewhere I was so surprised to see Doe Normaal in your title line and then even more surprised to read your interpretation of it - it's completely different from how I experienced it as a teenager growing up in Holland but a really positive take. Growing up I always heard it as a put down "you're nothing special, stop showing off, just be average" and as someone with so many feelings inside of me of wanting big things and big places and big dreams, I always felt it was such an energy squasher of an attitude. I'm kind of amazed that I never considered it from another angle where it's freeing, taking off the pressure. I am literally sitting here reeling - but loving this so much more.
Wow! First, I am so sorry you felt squashed as a child. At first I took doe normaal the way you described, as a limit, a sort of, “Knock it off! Who do you think you are?” But then I thought, what a relief! 😅 it’s like being freed from a grind of hard to achieve ambition. I wonder if the changed view comes with age?
Thanks for reading and sharing!
xN
you always have the best reading suggestions. I can't keep up with you! :) Can't wait to check out the bon appetit essays!
I try! I hope you like the story of the deaf bee keeper. xN