New Year’s resolutions for expats in the Netherlands

New Year’s resolutions. There is something about a fresh beginning that encourages us to believe we can change.

Unfortunately, the natural state of humans to continue in their well-established behavioural patterns (a.k.a. being "stuck in a rut") is demonstrated by the existence of Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day, the date by which most people have dropped their resolutions.

There is a theory that it takes three weeks to form a habit. Clearly most people don’t even give themselves that!

Resolutions for expat life in the Netherlands

While it is probable that there are a number of general resolutions we all promise ourselves we will keep, like watching less television, doing more exercise, eating more greens, drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking, there are some that are specific to life as an expat in the Netherlands.

If you’re going to live here for at least one more year, why not challenge yourself a little?

Learn Dutch

The most obvious is, of course, to learn the language. Even though you can get through most situations in the Netherlands with English (except the Dutch tax office, unfortunately), life is still easier when you understand what everyone around you is saying.

There are many Dutch courses available in language schools in cities across the Netherlands, suitable for all levels and work commitments. If your Dutch is already pretty good, why not try another language? After all, many Dutch people are trilingual (or quadrilingual!) and there’s no need to let them feel too special.

Cook Dutch food

It would be a shame to live in a country for a number of years and not have mastered a single native recipe to show for it. (This is assuming you can already cook. If not, learning to should probably be your number one resolution!)

Fortunately, traditional Dutch food is not necessarily complicated, so be brave and give it a go. And yes, it will taste better when you make it yourself - especially the bitterballen!

See more of the Netherlands

One of the attractions of living somewhere small and close to other countries is the ease of travelling abroad. But what about staying home? There are plenty of interesting parts of the Netherlands to see that don’t require airports or highway restaurants.

Beautiful Haarlem, for example, is centrally located, as is Den Bosch, and both cities are known for their lovely medieval centres, not to mention good food and shopping. Or go right down south to Maastricht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Its celebration of Carnival in February is one of the biggest in the whole country.

Explore Dutch art

The Netherlands has a long and rich history of art, many fine examples of which are in the Rijksmuseum and the Boijmans van Beuningen. But there is also a great deal of fantastic contemporary art to be seen in museums of modern art like the Stedelijk or CODA in Apeldoorn.

Or if you like to explore the lives of great painters, there’s always Van Gogh’s house in Zundert, Brabant, Rembrandt’s house in the centre Amsterdam and a mock-up of Mondrian’s studio in Amersfoort.

Meet more Dutch people

The best way to feel at home in a country is to have friends there, but meeting like-minded people can be tricky.

As every article on resolutions (or dating!) will tell you, the best way to meet people is to join a club, a running group, a book group or an organisation - anything that interests you. A quick look for groups and clubs online reveals dozens of possible ways to meet new people who share your interests.

Another great way to meet people is by volunteering. It’s very popular here in the Netherlands and there is an enormous variety of volunteer organisations to investigate, from helping people in need, or working for the environment, to supporting artistic projects with your free labour.

Learn more about Dutch culture

Confused about the Dutch sense of humour? Feel baffled at their taste in television? Wonder why every saying they have relates either to the weather or boats? Then maybe you might like to read up on it!

Foreign-language bookstores generally have a section with guides, both serious and humorous, to Dutch history, culture and society. Especially for when you are feeling baffled and frustrated at life in a foreign country, a good laugh at the natives plus a little more understanding of them can make the experience more enjoyable.

Good luck for the new year

Even if your resolution to limit your intake of Trappist beer in favour of more time at the gym falls flat, hopefully you will be able to find the time to enjoy your expat experience even more next year. Most expats are expats because they love the adventure and challenge of a new culture - so make the most of your choice in the new year.

Succes!