You can also have an instant click with someone on Instagram, I have encountered several times over the past 2 years.
Danielle is such a person. Her cheerfulness splashes off my phone screen every day. She inspires many with her beautiful fashion outfits and funny reels. Portraying her was a joy, and her answers to the questions were a pleasure to read and get to know a bit better. And then you find out that you have even more in common than you initially thought.
Tell us what you’d like us to know about yourself?
I was born in Rotterdam, the youngest of three girls. My father is a Surinamese, and my mother is from Curaçao. As a family, we moved all over the world, and I have continued to travel and live overseas as a single woman, and later on with my husband. My closest friends are scattered on every continent (the best one is in HK). I find it hard to settle in one place for any length of time, but when I do, I make sure I really immerse myself in the culture, the people, and the way of life.
I am an outgoing, social animal. I’ll talk to anyone or anything. Put me in a desert, and I will happily chat away to a bunch of camels—no response required.
I am energetic and always have an eye to start a new business. My family tells me I could sell ice to Eskimos.
When I was 39, I met the love of my life, but I didn’t know it at the time.
I need to share whatever I have. I believe ‘Mi casa es Su Casa’ – ALWAYS.
I absolutely love a good joke (…it doesn’t even need to be that good).
My favorite hobby is to travel. Exploring new places energizes me as nothing else can.
My glass is ALWAYS half FULL.
What’s Your Career Now?
I am a Cabin Attendant (with KLM).
Domestic Engineer/Goddess (my husband has raised an eyebrow at this one…)
And I am a loving wife (I’m best at this one … and it’s my favorite).
What’s the best/worst part of getting older for you?
Best – More perspective. I can better reflect on my life. I am wiser; I can relate better and respond more consciously in unfamiliar situations.
Very little gets to me these days, and I have more self-confidence. I am not on a lifelong search for inner peace – I create my own inner peace. Overall, I am a levelheaded person. The best part about being older is that you can do what you want and when you want.
Worst – The older I get, the more I realize how many things I still want to do – and with that comes the realization that I don’t have forever. The cost of loving profoundly is the ultimate pain of loss and the knowledge that someday I will have to leave my dearest loved ones behind.
What’s your fantasy version of your older self?
I would love to keep laughing and enjoying life to the fullest. I hope not to have ANY regrets, never have to say ‘I wish I had.’ That I continue to play an active role in our society by sharing whenever/wherever I can. As we say in Dutch, ‘I would not like to live ‘behind the geraniums.’ Continue to stay open-minded.
How do you stay healthy? Both physically and mentally?
Physically – I have always been an active swimmer, tennis, and golf player. Lately, to deal with the mental version of staying healthy, I picked up yoga and meditation. My diet has taken a beating – for the better, that is – with eating far more nourishing than ever before. And I always abide by the rule of … ‘drinking my 2 literal water a day to keep the doctor away’.
As traveling extensively throughout the world is part of my job, I suffer from sleep deprivation and jetlag. My anchor to getting in enough sleep is mediation.
Mentally – I have picked up reading some interesting books lately. Trying to get the necessary rest. Breathing exercises.
What is the first thing you do in the morning to start your day in a positive way?
Nearly every morning, I sing a song to my husband in bed. Don’t ask about the lyrics because the words and the tune are never ever in synch. This morning ritual ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. It prepares me for my day ahead – doing errands, taking care of my mom, house chores, etc.
Favorite thing to do when no one is around?
I dance and sing out loud even more (still out of synch).
Favorite Instagram accounts we should follow?
There are sooooo many accounts we should all follow. Too many to mention them all. So I will narrow them down to my interests, lifestyle, inspirations, and being in utter googaaa over …. Here is the list:
- for style, elegance and grace, I would choose, ginamkstyle, damkolbe, greceghanem, ich_bins_griseldis, schokoladejahre
- for utter googgaaaa: i would have to choose fiftyyearsofawoman
- for lifestyle: stylealivafter55, camillaslifestylediary
- for fun: connydolllifestyle, gianluccavacchi, anitawillemars
- for aging: aginginstyle, andbloom,
- for inspiration: florineduif, introspective_adventure
What is your age and how old do you feel?
Aging may not feel like much of a choice as you find new wrinkles, a saggier butt, or fail to remember where you put your mobile phone. These are daily reminders of my life as a 58-year-old woman. But if this is all I should worry about, it’s OK. I feel great, healthy, strong, and alive. Why? Because of my firm belief that ‘I don’t let age stop me. I think it’s only a mindset, really.’
