What if dreams come true?
By Evi Goossens — travel storyteller & creative freelancer
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, November 2025
Reading time: 2 minutes
Everyone longs for it. But what happens when it suddenly feels within reach—when your dream literally knocks on your door? Besides the obvious joy, freedom, and excitement, something else shows up too: discomfort, disbelief, and uncertainty. It’s a bit like your biggest idol suddenly standing on your doorstep. Maybe you’ve dreamed about that moment for years… but what happens when it actually happens?
Luckily, “discomfort,” “disbelief,” and “uncertainty” visit me often, and I greet them like old friends—knowing that on the other side of stepping out of my comfort zone lies pure freedom, happiness, and opportunity. Opportunities to make mistakes, to grow, and to return richer in experience. Even if my bank account and accountant might disagree.
Still, it’s often easier said than done. And today was no exception. Crying with my cap on… literally. 🥲
Today, I’m leaving with an overstuffed backpack, a bag full of electronics, and my red New York Yankees cap, heading to the other side of the world. I leave my usual spot on the couch, swing my bags over my shoulder, and take one last long look. By the time I return, this safe little place will have completely changed—from renovations upstairs to downstairs. One last look at home, at my room, my stuffed animals, my hometown, and the Netherlands. I try to memorize the smell of home, the texture of the table and the couch, the way the sunlight hits the floor. I wave it all goodbye.
The day couldn’t move slowly enough. Counting down each hour felt too fast. What did I wish for most today? Time. Just a little more. But with big-girl decisions come big-girl consequences. I get in the car and step out again at Schiphol.
It feels like I’ve been watching a movie drunk for five days straight when reality finally hits me like a hammer. I soak up the last moments with my dad, mom, and the dog before it’s really time to check in.
Bag and visa checked, I walk back for one last hug. Crying under my red cap. I wave one more time and walk toward security.
Goodbye Netherlands, goodbye familiar ground—time to leave for the other side of the world.