Why I Left the U.S. & Why I Chose the Netherlands | American Living in the Netherlands

Join me on a reflective walk through a local park as I share why I left the U.S. for the Netherlands. In this video, I reveal that it wasn’t so much about leaving one country as it was choosing to stay in another—drawn by the love for my adopted home and an intangible sense of freedom.

I touch upon the intriguing debate between “freedom to” and “freedom from,” concepts famously discussed by Erich Fromm. Fromm described freedom “from” as liberation from societal constraints and external pressures—think of it as breaking away from oppressive social conventions and institutional restrictions. In contrast, freedom “to” is about the creative potential of the individual; it’s the power to act, innovate, and integrate one’s full personality into creative acts that connect us deeply with the world. In the United States, freedoms “to” manifest in rights like bearing arms, assembling, and speaking freely. Freedoms “from” relate to living free from socioeconomic insecurity and environmental hazards. These concepts sometimes clash in modern debates on public policy.

For me, these distinctions are largely semantic. The true freedom I experience as an American living in the Netherlands is a blend of both: a liberation from old constraints and an empowering invitation to create a richer, more connected life. If you’re curious about international living or seeking inspiration for change, my story may provide a glimpse into embracing new beginnings, redefining freedom, and finding love in unexpected places.

If you like this video and want to support my channel, you can buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/just.mike

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