After I made a call on Instagram for Bloomers with an interior design passion, I immediately received an enthusiastic message from Hester.
She told me about her Tiny House and asked if I wanted to portray her with the purpose of empowering and inspiring women world wide with her story. At the beginning of April, I traveled with Dayenne to the middle of the Netherlands, where we got to know Hester and her Tiny House.
Tell us what you’d like us to know about yourself?
Hi! My name is Hester, born in the spring of ’79. My eleven y/o daughter and I live in a Tiny House. For 4,5 years now, I’m in a long-distance relationship with my fiancé Dirk. In my free time, I enjoy skating with my daughter and running and hiking with my love. I lóve to read and write.
Can you tell us about your Tiny House and the way you live?
In January 2018, my daughter and I moved into our Tiny House. It was specially designed for our needs and wants. This adventure was born of necessity, but it turns out tiny house living fits like a glove for us. We love to spend a lot of time outdoors in nature, and we enjoy being in each other’s company. In Dutch, we say “we nemen genoegen met genoeg” which translates to “we settle for enough,” but this life doesn’t feel like settling. I’ve not felt wealthier and happier.
What’s the best part of getting older for you?
To discover that I still feel young inside. I still feel like a girl. It’s like the two combined: I’m a woman ánd the girl I once was too. And a big plus: I’m not as insecure about my body anymore.
What’s the worst part?
Being called “u” and “mevrouw”; makes me feel old. In Dutch, you have two words for “you.” One is for younger people, or people younger than you (jij), and one is for older people and your grandparents, for instance (u). “Mevrouw” means ma’am or mrs. The first time I was called like that, I cringed. I think I was 28 at the time.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You are not alone. Everyone fights their own battle. Be kind to yourself.
What Do You Do for Work?
I’m in the midst of starting my own coaching practice. A really exciting step!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
That would be overcoming (or better yet: learning to live with the comings and goings of) a social anxiety disorder. I’ve battled with this for most of my life. I’ve learned to not put on a mask and to show my vulnerability to people. Most of the time, people open up in return and tell their honest and open stories.
If You Had a Warning Label, What Would It Be?
Don’t screw with my autonomy.
How old are you and how old do you feel?
I’m almost 42, but it feels like I’m in my early thirties. My father turned 70 this month and he told me that he felt aging until he hit 30 and from then on he felt 30 for the rest of his life. I hope I’ll feel as young-hearted as he does when I turn 70!
