Henny

Tell Us About Yourself?

Iam a positive, calm, loyal person. When you have me, you have me for life. I was born and raised in Utrecht in a family of two brothers, one sister, mum, and dad. I am a classic ‘offspring’, as my youngest sibling is eleven years older than me. I am raised in a warm family home. Raised by parents that had a motto: “Be kind to others, stay humble and work hard”. In particular, my mother taught me to be self-supportive and depend on myself, also financially.

In that light, my parents advised me to choose a stable education, and not -as I desperately wished for- a creative education. I asked for a Fashion Styling school; my parents thought a Schoevers Management Assistant course would be better. We still joke that I did a test at school to help you choose a profession; the result was DJ or wedding planner! I think that was the result of the fact that, in general, I am a pleaser. I like to see other people happy. I love to create a pleasant and stylish atmosphere. I am a problem solver, and I like to contribute to the sunny day of others.

We spoke about your decision to stop working. Can you tell us about that?

For over 30 years, I have been that pleaser professionally. I worked as a secretary, management assistant, executive assistant to directors, CEOs, and international managers, in all kinds of businesses and levels. I like to learn and explore all types of companies. It made me a versatile assistant.

I enjoyed it, but the need to learn, explore more, and educate myself became bigger and bigger. I started spending more free hours in museums, yoga classes, cultural events, and I started a French language course. More and more, I learned that there was more to life than work. When old physical issues, like tinnitus (permanent noises in the ears), re-appeared, I developed periods of sleepless nights due to extreme stress at my last job. I decided: this was enough.

My husband and I talked about it, and I decided that I would stop working. At least till I felt better and gained enough energy to find out what would really fit my working life. I realize that this is a very luxurious situation I am in. I will be starting to find a nice part-time job, where more personal contact with people is key, soon. No, I will never be a secretary again. I am quite sure about that.

What’s the worst part of getting older for you?

Being less flexible in my body and getting more concerned about health issues, I guess. I have all symptoms of hypochondria, haha. But seriously, as Paul van Vliet (a Dutch comedian) says: “I am not afraid of death, but am afraid of its helpers.” Also, losing people that you love is a bad part of getting older.

And what’s the best part?

Becoming more fearless for significant changes and big decisions. You learn from life. Becoming myself and also being not afraid to show it. Raising my voice and undo myself of any covers or hiding myself all came with the years. I teach my kids: do things that make you happy, feed, and fuel yourself with things and experiences that give you energy. Cut things that suck your energy.