IamExpat's top 10 articles from 2021

2021 is drawing to a close, and this year you laughed, you learned, and you loved some of the IamExpat articles published over the past 12 months - covering everything from figuring out how to get over a breakup, to enjoying the beautiful cherry blossom season in the spring.

We know which news stories you guys read the most, but which articles did you enjoy? Here are IamExpat's top articles from 2021.

1. Self-sabotage: 5 common behaviours according to psychology

It might be hard to recognise the signs, but it's possible that you are the thing that's standing in the way of your own happiness and success. Before you can move to change this behaviour, you need to recognise whether or not you're guilty of self-sabotage.

2. How to heal after a breakup

Breakups can be extremely difficult, and for many they are only the start of what will likely be a long and difficult healing process. There are various tricks you might have for getting over heartbreak, but here are eight steps you can use to guide you through the process.

3. Get outside and enjoy cherry blossom season in the Netherlands

The weather is cold and grey at the moment, but before you know it spring will have arrived again and you'll be getting ready to snap all those Instagram-worthy cherry blossom shots. Why not get a head start and start prepping for the next cherry blossom season now?

4. Germany vs the Netherlands: An expat's guide

Are you an expat considering a move to or between the Netherlands and Germany? The two nations may be neighbours, but there are a wealth of differences separating these two European countries. Use our handy expat guide to explore the differences!

5. 5 mistakes people make when applying for a job in the Netherlands

Looking for a job can be a long, arduous, and time-consuming task. No matter what you're situation is, there are a number of factors you should take into account when on the hunt for a job in the Netherlands - and as a general rule, here are five things you should probably avoid doing.

6. The history between the USA and the Netherlands

With President Joe Biden's inauguration back in January, we decided to take a look back through the centuries of history that connect the Netherlands and the United States of America.

7. [Video] A frozen winter in the Netherlands

In January of this year, we had no idea that the Netherlands was about to be hit by Storm Darcy, bringing tons of snow and wintertime fun to the whole country. Instead, we decided to sit back and reminisce about past Dutch winters with this video of an icy-cold winter in the Netherlands.

8. Dutch history lesson: Why isn’t the Dutch flag orange?

In the past, you've probably found yourself wondering why the Dutch flag doesn't have any orange in it, when the whole country appears to be obsessed with the colour. Well, wonder no longer - find out now!

9. [Video] How did the Dutch create the Netherlands?

Time for another mini history lesson! The Netherlands continues to face rising water levels, and combine this with the fact that so much of the country is below sea level, it's pretty hard to imagine how the country came to be all those years ago, without the technological advancements we have today.

10. [Video] Things that are guaranteed to annoy the Dutch

No matter whether you've just moved here or you've been living in the Netherlands for years, you've likely noticed there are a handful of surefire ways to annoy the locals - here are a couple of things that will definitely leave the Dutch feeling a little (or a lot) frustrated.