My story in a book, a guideline for world citizens!

Quote by Esther: For the mother of Lars … Think free, live free!

A little over a year it all started. My own mom (@LilianZeekaf) told me about this lady, a little different from others, she called her self a ”wereldburger”. What is Dutch for ”world citizen”. And she was writing a book about it.

So I am a ”world-citizen”? Interview with Esther Jacobs

World citizen, what does that mean?!

The answer to that is maybe easier than we all think. Everybody who is traveling at the moment (long or short-term), not living in their home country (temporarily or emigrated for life), working abroad and spending more time away from home than ever before could give them self the #worldcitizen. Well that’s what I thought…

I came in touch with this concept from the moment I got to know Esther Jacobs. A very inspiring – ”no excuses” – lady who is writing a book about it. Titled (in Dutch) ”Handboek voor wereldburgers” (Guidebook for world citizens).

About Esther Jacobs

There is a lot to learn about Esther and probably, just like me, when you start reading you won’t stop for at least the next hour. She is an author, a motivational speaker and a creativity expert. Raised more than €16 milion for over 140 charities, she got to know 100+ countries (ooooh boy!) and even ”survived” in a Dutch TV-show where she lived in a cave for the first 2 weeks.

Get to know Esther better, right HERE!

Back to the ‘world citizen’ concept

When I read about her upcoming book Handboek voor wereldburgers I started to think, am I one? And so I wrote an email to Esther about my situation, asking if my life style could mean or add anything to her book. Her response was great and her enthusiasm even better. We emailed back and forth and I answered questions about what has been going on the last few years. Cause Holland was not my home anymore, but what is my home? The world? Did I already become a world citizen years ago?

To get a better idea about this book, and her reason(s) to write it, I was lucky enough that Esther found some time to get to know each other better and to do a short Skype interview.

Esther under the sun in Mallorca, and myself in Chile, world citizens?

What is your inspiration, reason to write this book?

”When I would be in Holland, I stayed at my house in Amstelveen. But the time I spend there you could count in weeks. I own my own company, I fly all over the world to give workshops and presentations about my life and being an inspiration to others. Then, from one day to another I got the message that my municipality (government of Amstelveen) came to the conclusion I was not sleeping enough in my own house, so they kicked me out of their system! Meaning I was living on the streets (from their point of view) without any official residence, not able to extend my passport and my company got signed out of Chamber of Commerce (Dutch: Kamer van Koophandel).”

”Keeping in mind that 10 years before the mayor of Amstelveen give me the Dutch *Order of Orange-Nassau award (Dutch: Orde van Oranje Nassau).”

”With my mind blown away about what happened, I resisted as hard as I could against ‘the system’. But not for long, I started to see things from another perspective and used it as an opportunity. Now months later I’m a happy ‘world citizen’, don’t have administration and don’t pay tax.”

* Order of Orange-Nassau: an award given by the (at that time) Queen of Holland to people who deserve appreciation and recognition from society for the special way in which they have carried out their activities. In Esther’s case, collecting the €16 milion euro’s for charities.

Are Dutch people such world citizens?

”Not in particular. But it’s a new way of citizen. Looking at the current economy, finding a job is not that easy anymore. So the new citizen is a ‘freelancer’. Entrepreneurs who chose to go their own way and make their own success. With this new concept people create their own freedom. They are not stuck to the system and the everlasting circle of the 9 to 5 job. Freedom is what freelancers want and by taking that step, they could easily become a world citizen. Yes, Dutch people travel a lot and can be found all over the world. But the reason to write this book is for those who face the same experiences as I did. Not fitting in the system and wanting to do your own thing”

When did you realize you were a world citizen?

”I guess I always have been. From an early age I already did things different, different then the ‘normal’ Dutch citizen. Traveling became a big part of my life at a young age, thinking outside the box came with it. And that didn’t always match with the system I was living in.”

Esther during one of her travels in Africa

What is in your opinion a world citizen?

”Everybody who feels they don’t fit in the system they are living in. Every person who has the need to step out of it or get away from what is normal for most people and searches their own success somewhere else, believing in their own strengths is to me a world citizen.”

Do you have any specific goal by writing ”Guidebook for world cititzens”?

”With the book I hope to help others who are in the same situation, or have the feeling they are. To shine a light on how crazy the system can be where we all live in, so why not get out of the system ourselves? It is not an easy step and it scares people, but with the book I hope to show people it is not a crazy fairytale, but if you want it is really possible!”

Last question: I have many, just graduated friends who can’t get a job. Would you recommend young (Dutch) citizens taking such kind of steps, getting out of the system, make your own luck, freelance?

”Definitely not, many people get the chills thinking about the idea it self, it scares them. But when you have the feeling for a long period of time already that you don’t ‘fit’ in the system, and you didn’t know yet that you can also exit that system, I would say it is something to consider.”

”If you are the adventurous type, you can always try it in the way you are doing. Staying enrolled in Holland, keep your insurance and staying on this long ”journey” which is your life. This is more accepted, and if so, when you find a job in a foreign country which is enough you can always consider to stay away longer, or change your status. Meaning that you can always exit the system eventually.”

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At the end of this year the book (in Dutch) ”Handboek voor wereldburgers” will be published. I am very excited about the outcome as it’s a subject were many people can relate to. I am proud to be a part of it, even if it’s just a little bit!

Feeling you don’t fit? Your life style isn’t was it should be? Take a closer look at the concept of the book, or order one of the first 250 exclusive copies HERE.

I want to thank Esther for her time and to host my first interview at larszeekaf.com. For being another inspiration in my life, I am really happy that I had to chance to meet her and listen to some of her inspirational, crazy, motivating, eye-opening stories. Thanks Esther!

Safe travels, and when the book is published I will all give you a shout!

Lars