Finding Joy Alone on the Holidays: Talking to the Trees

[@sophiesmeenk1076]

I loved going on this walk with you Mike. And I don't think you're woo-woo at all. Just being among the trees and listening to birdsong heals my soul. No religion needed. A butterfly landing on my sleeve in summer can make my day! Enjoy your alone time. ❤

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@sophiesmeenk1076 Thank you, Sophie, for your lovely words. I love the image of a butterfly landing on your sleeve. Life can be so wonderful if we are willing to see it. 😊 ❤️

[@albertpremier5800]

Hi Mike, For several years now I always spent the Holidays alone because I prefer it. I often played in the Haarlemmerhout as a child because my family & I lived close by. I didn't know it is the oldest park in the Nls; one lives & learnes! It's oldest prove of excistence is a map of the 1650's. But the Spaniards burnt it down in the 1570's. The park as we know it now is from the 1830's, replanted & later redesigned by Jan David Zocher jr. who, among other things, also turned several obsolete bulwarks in the Nls into public walking spaces, among them "de Bolwerken" north of the Haarlem train station. J.D.Z. jr. started out as an apprentice architect on a grant/scolarship from Louis-Napoleon, the first (& last) King of Holland who's summerpalace you see at the northern side of the Haarlemmerhout & wich now serves as the seat of the Provinciale Staten (provincial government) of Noord Holland. J.D.Z.jr. went on to work on as architect/landscape architect for William, the first King of the Netherlands. Oh the old trees in the park! Especially the beeches. I can remember the comforting vibes they gave me. We children liked collecting beech nuts & later eating them when it was the season. Regards, A.

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@albertpremier5800 Yes, there is definitely something to be said for spending the holidays on one’s own. I have been enjoying my time: niksen! So true what you say about living and learning. I learned so much about the beautiful Haarlemmerhout from your comment. I think it’s wonderful that you played in such a magical woods as a child. ❤️

[@BabzV]

Hey Mike, I'm sorry to hear about your husbands' mother, I hope that situation will improve soon. 🙏 I'm alone today, enjoying first Christmas day in my cozy little apartment. Tomorrow I'm going to enjoy a nice dinner with family. Thanks for taking us along on your walk Mike, happy holidays. 😊🎄🌷

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@BabzV Thank you so much. I just let my husband know about all the good wishes I’m receiving about his mother. So sweet of you. 😊 I am glad to hear that you are enjoying all the comforts of your cozy apartment. I am happy, too, that you could join me on my walk. 🌳 All the best to you and your family over the holidays.🎄☃️ 🎅🏻

[@BabzV]

Yes please do, I can imagine how difficult it must be for him to see his mom being sick. I had a nice dinner earlier btw and just now made some popcorn, on the couch with my warm quilt, kitties are sleeping in one of their beds, all is well in Huize Babs. 😉 You're probably running a bath...? Enjoy your evening Mike. 😊

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@ Popcorn is one of my faves! That and kitties. You’ve got it made Babs! I just finished a bit of baked salmon and a steamed artichoke and…indeed…am about to run a warm bath. 🛀

[@MartinWebNatures]

Ahh that's why you came here to the Netherlands: for your partner 😉 Sorry to here from his mother.

[@ShugAveri]

Merry Christmas Mike! Thanks for the walk in the beautiful woods. Wishing you peace and blessings today and all days! xo

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@ShugAveri Thank you so much for your good words. I am happy that you could join me on my walk today. All the best to you and yours on this special day. 💕

[@Boxer309]

Beautiful! Thank you Mike

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@Boxer309 Thank you. 😊

[@NL-001]

Wishing you a pleasant Christmas Home Alone. Our children and grandchildren have just left the house from spending diner and night with us. Now I’m relaxing on the sofa. Don’t feel like going outside. Enjoying Niksen.

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@NL-001 Thank you for the warm wishes. Niksen is the best, isn’t it? Wishing you a wonderful Christmas evening. 🎄

[@AbeIJnst]

Being with your loved ones shouldn't be confined to the two Christmas days, there are 363 more days annually to do just that. Yesterday (Christmas day) I also took a walk through the forest and made myself a wonderful diner, all on my own. Today we had a splendid diner with the family, in honour of my grandma who passed away last year at the beautiful age of 100 years. If you like talking and/or listening to trees (no pun intended!), you might like the Dutch song "Bomen zijn relaxed" from Luuk en Gijs. I posted this before with a link to the song, but apparently YT didn't like it as the comment was deleted or didn't come through at all 🙄 Just do a search on the title 😉 Wishing you all good and luck to you, your husband and your family in 2025 ✨

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@AbeIJnst I completely agree. We should not put these things off, assuming that there is always another day. Lovely that you honoured the memory of your dearly departed grandma during the holidays. Thank you, by the way, for the song recommendation. I am going to have a listen. 🎧 Seems like just the kind of song I would enjoy. Thank you, too, for the good wishes. May the new year bring you and your family oodles of happiness. ❤️ Note: I am listening to the Luuk en Gijs song now…what fun! So chill! 😎

[@JefftheSabaDude]

I'm alone here on Saba as the few relatives I still have are back in MN. I just got back from a nice reflective walk about the empty village having greeted a sum total of three people. Then your video popped up and I totally identified with it. Thank you for your thoughts.

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@JefftheSabaDude Thank you, Jeff. Always so good to hear from you, my friend. I also found the streets of Haarlem almost empty. It is a great time for quiet reflection. ❤️

[@JefftheSabaDude]

@@BetterTogether-UnIr1 I'm working on the next installment for my channel. I have a two year old outline so I hope I'll get it done over the holidays!

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@JefftheSabaDude That’s good news, Jeff. You have so many good stories to tell, and there are many people who would benefit from them. I look forward to the next installment.

[@dianesgardeninspiration]

Merry Christmas Mike! Every Christmas experience can be different as we go through life and sometimes, we can't go back to those Christmas experience - so enjoy each one as it is. My Christmas has also changed and I'm enjoying each one as I reflect on the memories of the previous ones. Thank you so much for this video - Merry Christmas Mike 🎄

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@dianesgardeninspiration Thank you, Diane, for your wise and beautiful words. You are right. Each moment should be appreciated as we find it. You have such a lovely spirit (I know from your videos), and I really appreciate your comments. Merry Christmas to you. 🎁 ☃️ 🎄

[@dianesgardeninspiration]

@ you are so kind 🤗😊🥰

[@Lance.planes.and.more1]

Nothing like enjoying nature Merry Christmas

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@Lance.planes.and.more1 Thank you, Lance. Nature really is the ultimate healer. I hope you’re having a great Christmas. 🎄

[@Lance.planes.and.more1]

@BetterTogether-UnIr1 it was better than expected, thanks. But always bitter/sweet this time of the year. Hope all is well there

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@Lance.planes.and.more1 I know just what you mean. It can be a bit of a mixed bag. I’m glad it was better than expected. ❤️

[@mikejagersma6553]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@mikejagersma6553 Hi Mike. Merry Christmas to you, too. Thanks for the holiday cheer. 🎅🏻 ⛄️ ❄️

[@gerhard6105]

Prettige Kerstdagen. The Haarlemmerhout is a rijksmonument. See Wikipedia. My father and i went metal detectoring there in 1990 and we found coins from 1600 something and from the 18th century, only about 5 cm under the paths surfaces.

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@gerhard6105 Thank you for the Christmas wishes. 🎄 Fijne feestdagen to you as well. It is so cool that you found coins from the 1600s, etc. Wow! It is really an amazing park. 🌳 🌳 🌳

[@gertstolk]

It's spooky Mike, can you read my mind? I just got back from a nice long walk. As a single guy I usually volunteered to work christmas day. Not this year as it is my last christmas before retirement next March.

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@gertstolk Haha. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Gert. We are twins separated at birth. 😂 Wishing you a peaceful Christmas evening.

[@gertstolk]

@BetterTogether-UnIr1 🤠👋

[@captainchaos3667]

Sterkte voor je schoonmoeder. 💪

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@captainchaos3667 Dank u wel. I appreciate your good words. 😊

[@gekkegerrit933]

It is friday morning 27 dec and just finished 7 nightshifts, for me it is just how much weight you put on for example x-mas, I work these nights as a single guy to give my collegues with a family the opportunity to be with their families. x-mas has not much meaning to me.

[@BetterTogether-UnIr1]

@@gekkegerrit933 Absolutely true. It’s all about what we make of it. That applies to just about everything. Thanks for your comment. 😊