I'm so sorry to read about your challenges. I can't completely relate to the "trying to conceive" part, because that's not something my partner and I have been trying to do. On the other hand, my parents tried for more than a decade and spoke a lot about the frustration and upset at trying to conceive, so I can imagine it's an emotional rollercoaster.
I do know, though, that my home country is gaining a reputation for being the Asian hub for fertility treatments, but that's probably a huge mission at this point. Let's hope you'll get there without medical intervention!
About the Portuguese visa issue, I'd read that it was something only recently mentioned by their Prime Minister. While these things ordinarily signal intent, I suspect it's not entirely a done deal yet, because these things normally need to be legislated through parliament before it is written in law. Hopefully, you'll be able to slip through before things are codified!
So sorry to read your post yesterday Charlie. We struggled to conceive and the worst part of all was the loneliness of it all. I felt so on my own with it. Then it got really hard when friends were having babies - trying to remain upbeat was so hard at times, when feeling really sad inside. On the upside we are now parents to 3 girls. 1 conceived through ICSI ( a form of IVF) and 2 naturally. Our eldest is now 16, but the pain of struggling to conceive is something I remember vividly.
I sincerely hope your time comes soon Charlie.
I love your writing and recently subscribed to your pantry. I am trying hard to be a better cook and your recipes are perfect for me - simple!!
We hope one day to spend more time in Europe and in Oct/Nov we are spending 2 weeks interrailing around with our girls. I love to hear all about the places you visit- keep going Charlie. X
Hi Charlie, I follow very few people and I have really enjoyed your perspective. I just thought I would say that in the light of your current mood. And when I say very few, I think you are right up there with Tim Ferris and Wim Hof. I know this sounds quite preposterous but there you have it. On another note, I would suggest you check out the work of Dr. Barral, a French Osteopath who has developed a method of manipulation for fertility. You can find a practitioner wherever you are at iahp.com. I do this type of work in California and have helped many women get pregnant.
Dear Charlie, by coincidence I found your 'blog' or what this is called and I have been binge-reading. You are an inspiration! And you have probably looked into this, but I follow this youtube-channel called UmaSailing, and they went to the Netherlands for a permit... or however it is called, because the Netherlands has (or at least had) an option for people in a situation like you are in. I am Dutch (living in Norway) and can look into it if you want. Wish you all the luck conceiving, all the stress the world is throwing at us -even as minimalists- sure does not help but it as you say, things will change.... Good luck and I hope you feel better after letting your thoughs out.
Thatnk Gerlinde for your kind words! Although I do love the Netherlands - Amsterdam was only a 30min flight from my home in the UK so we used to visit a lot - we have our heart set on Portugal or Spain right now. We shall see what happens!
Yes, I totally get that, who wants to live in the Netherlands! But they seem to have a regulation or whatever, from people outside the EU, living like you do, by which you can get a permit to stay under the Schengen-rules in any other European country. You do not (thank goodness!) need to actually live in the Netherlands, making it ideal to travel Europe for months, without those 180-90 and other rules. But now I think of it, that may have been before Brexit.....
You know, I will look into it and if I find something usefull, I will let you know!
I'm so sorry to read about your challenges. I can't completely relate to the "trying to conceive" part, because that's not something my partner and I have been trying to do. On the other hand, my parents tried for more than a decade and spoke a lot about the frustration and upset at trying to conceive, so I can imagine it's an emotional rollercoaster.
I do know, though, that my home country is gaining a reputation for being the Asian hub for fertility treatments, but that's probably a huge mission at this point. Let's hope you'll get there without medical intervention!
About the Portuguese visa issue, I'd read that it was something only recently mentioned by their Prime Minister. While these things ordinarily signal intent, I suspect it's not entirely a done deal yet, because these things normally need to be legislated through parliament before it is written in law. Hopefully, you'll be able to slip through before things are codified!
So sorry to read your post yesterday Charlie. We struggled to conceive and the worst part of all was the loneliness of it all. I felt so on my own with it. Then it got really hard when friends were having babies - trying to remain upbeat was so hard at times, when feeling really sad inside. On the upside we are now parents to 3 girls. 1 conceived through ICSI ( a form of IVF) and 2 naturally. Our eldest is now 16, but the pain of struggling to conceive is something I remember vividly.
I sincerely hope your time comes soon Charlie.
I love your writing and recently subscribed to your pantry. I am trying hard to be a better cook and your recipes are perfect for me - simple!!
We hope one day to spend more time in Europe and in Oct/Nov we are spending 2 weeks interrailing around with our girls. I love to hear all about the places you visit- keep going Charlie. X
Thanks Philippa! So pleased the recipes are working for you :-)
Thanks for sharing as well, you're right the loneliness is really hard, hence why I decided to write about it. It helps.
Europe changes your life! At least, it changed mine. Interrailing sounds like an excellent plan!
I love the adaptations you include- super helpful for me- please keep including those 😊👍
Hi Charlie, I follow very few people and I have really enjoyed your perspective. I just thought I would say that in the light of your current mood. And when I say very few, I think you are right up there with Tim Ferris and Wim Hof. I know this sounds quite preposterous but there you have it. On another note, I would suggest you check out the work of Dr. Barral, a French Osteopath who has developed a method of manipulation for fertility. You can find a practitioner wherever you are at iahp.com. I do this type of work in California and have helped many women get pregnant.
Oh wow that's made me teary! Thank you Kristi. I'll check that link out as well, for sure
Dear Charlie, by coincidence I found your 'blog' or what this is called and I have been binge-reading. You are an inspiration! And you have probably looked into this, but I follow this youtube-channel called UmaSailing, and they went to the Netherlands for a permit... or however it is called, because the Netherlands has (or at least had) an option for people in a situation like you are in. I am Dutch (living in Norway) and can look into it if you want. Wish you all the luck conceiving, all the stress the world is throwing at us -even as minimalists- sure does not help but it as you say, things will change.... Good luck and I hope you feel better after letting your thoughs out.
Thatnk Gerlinde for your kind words! Although I do love the Netherlands - Amsterdam was only a 30min flight from my home in the UK so we used to visit a lot - we have our heart set on Portugal or Spain right now. We shall see what happens!
Yes, I totally get that, who wants to live in the Netherlands! But they seem to have a regulation or whatever, from people outside the EU, living like you do, by which you can get a permit to stay under the Schengen-rules in any other European country. You do not (thank goodness!) need to actually live in the Netherlands, making it ideal to travel Europe for months, without those 180-90 and other rules. But now I think of it, that may have been before Brexit.....
You know, I will look into it and if I find something usefull, I will let you know!