Living 8 months in Sweden ━ So much has happened

Hej everyone! 

How is everyone doing? I didn't realize it's already been a few months since I last wrote on my blog. I guess I've been really busy in the last few months. In fact, I developed something new! In my last blog post, I mentioned I was working on something. I've been advertising for a bit, but now I can announce it official: I've started my own business called Eileen vd Steen Designs!

You've probably also noticed that Imagine Eileen also has a new look. That's because I decided to link my paid subscription to my business, since this blog is meant more for hobby purposes. I already had the honor to work with one client, hopefully there are more to go! They say the first year is always the hardest when you're just starting out. I haven't found any new clients yet, but it's important to just keep going. And start building the foundation of course. I must say that I have so much appreciation for entrepreneurs now. There is so much involved in entrepreneurship, but you also learn a lot from it! 

But I can imagine some of you are very curious to know how I've been doing lately? How is the winter in Sweden? Do I still like it in Sweden after 8 months? How is the culture in Sweden? How is learning Swedish going so far?

Frosty lake by Hällberget

We moved to the North of Sweden not only for the peace, quiet and slow living, but also for the winters, real snow and of course the northern lights! It's a bit different than in the Netherlands, where we get maybe 2 weeks of snow. We were prepared to have a cold and long winter for a change. The snow started sticking at the end of October, so we've got almost four months of snow now. I'm more of a winter person, so I actually don't really mind the snow. I think it has a magical touch. Especially when the sun is shining and the snow starts glittering. Some things become less obvious, for example just stepping outside, because you have to layer up. When the snow has fallen, you first need to shovel the driveway free of snow. And when you step outside below -15 degrees, you'll feel your nose hairs getting frosty. But after a while you learn to live with the elements of winter and find the beauty in it. On the shortest day, the sun rose at about 10am and set at 2:30pm, while barely rising above the mountain. I thought I would get a hard time in this period, but I noticed I found it cosy. I would lit up candles and snuggle under the blankets on the couch. 

Sunset near my house

Pink and blue skies near Åre

When the sun isn't that high, it also would color the sky in beautiful colors, like pink, blue and orange. And sometimes we'd see a cloud covered in the colors of the rainbow. The winter light is a beautiful thing.

Rainbow clouds in Offerdal

I also must say we're having quite a particular winter right now, since it's been unusually warm. There have been some times the temperatures rose above 0 and that caused the snow to start melting. We also hear from the locals this winter has been very warm. There have been times we've experienced around -15 and a few around -20, but not much. In fact, right now the the temperature is around 4 degrees and most of the snow has melted. But I also notice that I'm ready to see spring. I get really happy when the sun is out and the birds start singing again. It makes me want to plan things again and start gardening. But officially spring isn't here yet in Sweden. Normally the snow starts melting after Easter and from May the warm days begin. But this winter Spring may come sooner. You never know, every winter is different here in Sweden. It could be that next year we have a insanely cold winter!

Moose in the garden!

After 8 months of living in Sweden I can say I definitely like it here! I really love that we live outside the city in the countryside. When I step outside the house, I'm surrounded by nature and peace. It feels like I can breathe. I can almost not visualize how different it was in the Netherlands. The overall pace of living is also slower. It feels more in the moment. I notice it does me good, most of the times. There are moments that I wish it would go faster. But that's the other side of the coin! 

The only thing that could be better is my search for a job. I've been applying for so many jobs here in Sweden since March 2024 that I lost count. Living in the countryside also means there are less job opportunities. I was recently told that I should have moved to Stockholm to land a job in my industry. But besides applying for Graphic Design jobs, it's still hard to land a job. Even as barista, working in a restaurant or cleaner. Sometimes I'm thinking about going back to the Netherlands, because it would be easier to get a job. But I would be unhappy, and I can't imagine myself living there anymore.

It makes it a lot easier to find a job when you speak Swedish of course. Right now I'm enrolled in a SFI course to learn Swedish as I write. Speaking Swedish gets better every day, but I'm still a long way from speak it fluently. But one day I'll land a job and I'll be the happiest human on the planet. Tanno, on the other hand, has found a job while we still lived in the Netherlands. He really enjoys the job he works at right now and that makes me so happy. 

So while I'm at home, I am brewing ideas of what I can do, I have my own projects and I am trying to create visibility with my own company. Enough to do!

Now I'm going to continue to work on other projects. Before I finish this blog, I would like to ask you readers something. Is there anything you would to read or know about? Let me know! I would be happy to share anything.

Wish you all a good rest of the day!

Lots of love and hugs,

Eileen

Northern Lights