Or shall I say natural selection, or no better: nature selects. Since September, I have been here alone. In my case, a double challenge. And I have known it.

Imagine just living in a hamlet of 300 people in France. It is autumn, we are entering the cold and dark days. French people are already by themselves, then even more so. In the hameau where you live are about 10 houses with mostly over-60s. And beyond that... hills, trees, lots of trees, meadows, various kinds of livestock and sounds of nature. Nature, space and tranquillity. Wonderful, isn't it?

Still, I'm not here to take a holiday. The chimney has to burn. Literally, because the central heating boiler (running on fuel oil) stops working every so often. That old beast actually needs to be replaced, which is not in the cards right now. First priority is to find work. Besides working as a personal trainer for a physiotherapist, I will have to find work for at least two more days. At least!

After almost four! weeks, a mechanic finally responds for the central heating boiler. You get used to 15 degrees and cold showers, but two weeks of 12 degrees in the house is a bit chilly. Meanwhile, I found work in a temporary online project. And also got acquainted with the French bureaucracy if you want to set up a company. And your diplomas have to be recognised in order to work as a personal trainer. What about the European Union? Vive la France!

Then back to being alone. If you are not used to being alone, then you should mainly go and live by yourself in some hamlet in the French countryside. Do(t) you good!

And I mean really good, when you learn to deal with your own "being". Becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Physically, mentally and emotionally. And also spiritually, more on that later.

This is where you really encounter yourself. Very valuable if you have inner work to do. And I have/had plenty of homework to do, let's just say ha ha. Fortunately, you don't have to do it alone. The contacts with the home front, family & friends and also new people you meet, you learn to appreciate even more.

Talk about being alone. Fortunately, in Chissey-en-Morvan, I am not as cut off from the world as the staff at the world's most remote post office in Port Lockroy in Antartica. Life on the island is not comfortable.

For instance, workers have no access to running water and there is no fixed electricity connection. There is no internet either. Only via a satellite connection can they talk to their loved ones back home for about 10 minutes a week.

During my "journey" to date, I had the pleasure of receiving energy & inspiration from a number of "mentors". People with life experience, to whom you can emulate.
People who give you a push in the right direction just when you need it. And sometimes food for thought...

That started with a cold workout with Wim Hof instructor Bart Dankers, on the day I was heading to the Morvan (last 17 September). Since my adrenals (read: cortisol booster) were already working overtime, not the most appropriate time to ramp up the stress.

Or is it? Yes indeed! The theory behind cold training, breathing exercises combined with seven men sharing stories, proved gold in that moment.

Even though I was still shivering half an hour after the ice bath, I am still grateful to Bart for the encounters and the experience. And can recommend it to anyone (www.isimila.nl).

Some 5,000 Dutch people live in the Morvan. Some permanently. Others, like me, live there part-time. So there are more people who regularly drive up and down to the Morvan. The Facebook group "Up and down to the Morvan" is where supply and demand meet and rides to and from the Netherlands are offered.

For instance, I had the opportunity to travel with beautiful people several times recently. And sometimes felt like the driver from the former TV programme Taxi. Interesting and engaging conversations about all facets of life, silences over a cup of coffee, lots of humour and the roads through the rolling countryside of the Morvan.

What I especially took away from these conversations is that we (unconsciously) often think that only "your own world" exists. Because that is the world you live in. By opening up to the experiences of others, you learn to see things from a different perspective. Sometimes confrontational, sometimes recognisable and often valuable!

It also leads me to think about why I am here. (At the time of writing, tears are welling up at the corners of my eyes). First, to become a better version of myself by seeking out the uncomfortable. For myself, as a father, as a partner and as a trainer/coach.

Secondly, transfer that knowledge, experience & skills during the retreats I will be organising here from 2023. To conclude with:

Hard times create & unite strong men.

To be continued...

I hope this blog gives you inspiration and confidence. And that it teaches you focus and peace in a world of distractions. You are not alone. Note to self: "Neither am I." 

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Sources: nu.co.uk, www.isimala.nl, FB group "Up and down to the Morvan", Miro Vermeeren.