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CULTURE
I Just Gave Up My Dutch Residency — Here’s Why
A decision that explains the true extent of our Western society
I recently gave up my Dutch residency — against all the advice of my friends and family. What if I need our governmental safety net at some point? What if I get older and I need the senior benefits? What if I get sick and need healthcare?
I have been pondering about this decision for years already. I am traveling for over 10 years now, currently live in Mexico and do not have any intentions whatsoever to return to the Netherlands. It’s a big decision to voluntarily step away from all the privileges I am being offered.
None of the other 45 countries I have visited in my life have the huge amounts of benefits as the Netherlands. How can I justify to say goodbye to that safety net, in case something happens to me?
But coming back home last summer to contemplate my decision — it became obvious to me: we are an anxious, depressed society, mainly focused on external validation. No wonder everybody is burnt-out.
I don’t want to be part of that anymore.
Living the dream
Being raised in a First World country, I am very aware of the privileges I grew up with. The…
