What is your current state of mind?
I’m literally checking the last to do’s on my to-do list which feels amazing. We are going on summer holiday in a few days and I’m happy to leave work to regain new energy for the new season. My current state of mind is everywhere between a slight panic (do we have enough SPF?, packing stress etc) and ‘letting go’.
How do you switch off?
Having a huge following, it’s hard to switch off. I have two businesses and the constant pressure to deliver is always there. I love the creative aspect of what I do but the pressure is real. I switch off when I’m in nature, when I’m cleaning the kitchen and when I’m reading a book.
What is the trait you most admire in others?
Tranquility - the ability to stop, overlook the situation and then decide what to do….I’m more the ‘try first, see later’ kind of person. I’m passionate, enthusiastic. I have an idea and I do it.
Which living person do you most admire?
That’s a difficult question, admiration sounds a bit like you are putting someone on a pedestal. I don’t believe in that. I can appreciate certain aspects of people that I don’t have or want to have more of, but I never admire. In The Netherlands we say: the grass is always greener at the neighbours’ and I believe everyone has their insecurities and difficulties, which makes you human. So to cut it short, nope I don’t admire a person, I admire skills. I admire my mother for being unconditionally sweet and caring, I admire my father for being a good advisor, I admire my husband for putting it in black and white when everything is grey.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Food shopping, I never look at the price of food. I want to be so much more aware of this but put me in a grocery store and I’m like: whoooo I need to try this and that and wow look at this…
What is the first thing that you do when you wake in the morning?
I hate to say this..check my phone for the weather and time.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Honesty…? I mean, I really value honesty but no one is 100% honest.. We all do little lies out of compassion and convenience. I’m very honest don’t get me wrong but I might have put the car keys in my husbands pockets when I lost them (found them in one of my own) ‘Ahhh see you had them…’ haha.
Do you have any daily rituals?
My day is full of little rituals. My daughter loves it too, she has this sleeping ritual, a little hand massage, reading a book, a good night song and off she goes. So sweet.
What do you most like about your appearance?
My height… clothes look good on me, it’s true. My mother used to say to me: Anouk you can put on a garbage bag and still look good.
What does wellbeing mean to you?
Take care of your body and mind and listen to what you need. I actually learned that during my pregnancies, when your body becomes a baby factory. You suddenly need and want different things that the body asks for.
What is the quality you most like in a person?
That he/she is a good listener.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
‘Why do I always have to clean up everything’…
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband (actually fiancé Jos) we have been together for 22 years, a lifetime really.
When and where are you happiest?
Outside in nature, in a forest. That’s why I recently bought forest ground with a building plot.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be good in Padel, a lot of women my age are doing it, they come together, drink coffee, play a little game. It would be so fun - the fact is I’m more of a ball magnet..
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I always want to have control of everything. This is also my biggest topic this year - letting go. I have to learn to let go.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My two children, in the end this is what it’s all about.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
No idea, honestly I’ve never thought of it.
Where would you most like to live?
Stockholm in the summer and Portugal in the winter. Something where…the grass is always greener… I guess.
What is your most treasured possession?
I’m thinking….. a little painting my daughter made for me. It’s super sweet with a funny face with a smile and hearts. It’s says ‘for mama, kiss Elin’ I have it placed next to my bed. It makes me happy.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Storm and rain and 9 beaufort, I hate storms! It makes me very restless. We live in a natural reserve, if the wind comes, it comes in full force. I hate the time of the winter storms.
What is your favourite occupation?
Walking.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Creative.
What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty.
Who are your favourite writers?
I read everything, there’s not a genre that I’m drawn to particularly.
Who is your hero of fiction?
The blonde girl in the Game of Thrones, gosh what’s her name again it has been a while!
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Cleopatra? No joking… I would not know…
What brings pleasure to your day?
Having a good home cooked meal, sitting around the table, with drinks and laughter.
Where is your favourite place to wake up in the world?
My own home.
What is your motto?
Don’t live out of fear, but out of desire…
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Images by Anouk Yve
