Letting go of what no longer serves you<\/h1>\nInspiration Shot January 2026<\/h3>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/header-photo.jpeg\" "\\"header")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Make more room for magic<\/h2>\n
Over the past few weeks, it felt as if everything came together at exactly the right moment. Between an expensive New Year\u2019s party I chose to walk out of before midnight, a list of magical moments on my phone, and tying up loose ends as I prepare for a six-week Temple Training in New Zealand. Since making that decision, my life seems to be organizing itself. Saying \u2018no’ more often. Carrying less. Creating more space. In this Inspiration Shot, I share a few concrete moments where this became visible, maybe you will recogniZe something of yourself in them.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Learning to say No<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/div>The day after arriving in Miami, still heavily jet-lagged, we celebrated New Year\u2019s Eve. My sister and brother-in-law had bought tickets for an absurdly expensive all-inclusive party at a hotel. High expectations. The reality was a cold conference room, music far too loud, and very little atmosphere. We ate something, but my sister and I do not drink alcoholic beverages, so the open bar did nothing for us. By ten o\u2019clock, even the dessert buffet had already disappeared.<\/p>\n
Around eleven we looked at each other and thought the same thing, why are we still here? Yes, we had bought an expensive ticket. But that does not mean you have to stay. Half an hour later we were back home on the couch with a cup of tea. By five past midnight I was in bed, surprisingly happy. Best New Year\u2019s resolution ever! Here’s to saying no<\/em> more often…<\/p>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Before-After-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The magic I want to remember<\/h2>\n<\/div>Every year I keep a list of magical moments on my phone. Not only the big events, but especially the small, fleeting things you would otherwise forget. When I reread that list at the end of the year, it feels like opening a treasure chest. In this Facebook post I share my highlights of 2025<\/a>. Maybe it inspires you to capture your own moments, right when they happen. Another great tip is \u201cThe most important question you can ask yourself<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/magic-copilot-600x600.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Loose ends<\/h2>\n<\/div>Since I decided to follow the six-week Temple Training<\/a> at a Mystery School in New Zealand, it feels as if my life is slowly clearing itself out. Priorities become clear. I let go of what no longer needs to come with me. Sometimes consciously, sometimes through dreams, sometimes by sending someone a message to close a chapter. Sometimes the other person is ready too, sometimes not yet, and that is okay. Recently I learned that in traditional cultures, important transitions are marked by simplifying and letting go of loose ends. So this feeling turns out not to be something new, but something ancient and deeply human. Maybe an invitation for you as well?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/quote-losse-eindjes-600x600.jpeg\" "\\"Screenshot\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Around the world, business class<\/h2>\n<\/div>In my previous Inspiration Shot I wrote about my round-the-world trip, in which I visit people and places that matter to me, as if I only had a limited time left to live. The special RTW ticket raised many questions. How can you fly around the world in business class without an absurd budget? I explained everything clearly in a blog, including how such an RTW ticket works<\/a> and how you can book up to sixteen business class flights for around \u20ac5,000.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/business-class-600x824.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Inspiration bites<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FILMTIP
\n<\/strong>The road to Patagonia<\/h3>\nA beautiful road movie about surfers travelling on horseback through the Andes.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Patagonia.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FILMTIP
\nMy big little farm<\/h3>\n
I have recommended this one before. It remains one of my favourite feel-good documentaries.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/biggest-little-farm.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Did you know...<\/h2>\n\u2026…that my studio in Puglia is for sale?\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nI am downsizing and really want to keep only my @tinytrullo<\/a>. So, if you are looking for a charming apartment in southern Italy, as an investment, a pied-\u00e0-terre, or a holiday home, I might have something for you. My beautiful studio in Ceglie Messapica, located on an authentic street in the historic centre, is fully renovated, furnished, has a 5-star Airbnb rating, and the neighbours manage it as if it is their own apartment. It does not get easier than this. See my Airbnb listing<\/a> for photos and details. And the agent listing<\/a> for price information.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/studio1-2-600x942.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Waar is Esther?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>I made an overview of the past year, Same life, different places<\/a>.<\/p>\nVia cold Oslo and a stopover in luxurious Doha, I landed in South Africa. In Cape Town I spent Christmas with my friend Annaliza. It was a real trip down memory lane, as we spent two Covid winters there together. A few hikes, my favourite restaurants, good food with friends, two and a half days were far too short. On the Garden Route in the south, I visited Gareth, whom I met last year in Peru. It was great to experience life in a small town, surrounded by nature, for a couple of days. The long journey to Miami, 44 hours door to door, was even in the luxury Q-suites of Qatar Airways still very long. I was spoiled with a real bed, great food, and of course a proper Qatar pyjama. A full week with my father, sister, and her family followed. We celebrated New Year\u2019s, cleared out my father\u2019s storage unit, spent quality time together, went out on a boat for a day joined by my @dynamitecircle friend @christlinelozada<\/a>, I took a few tango classes at the school I always visit, and I also managed to write a book in a week for a chef friend.<\/p>\nMy trip down memory lane continues. In Toronto I stayed with my uncle and aunt for two days and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with my niece and her family. Then I went to New York, to visit my brother, artist @voiddenizen. Next time I will share about Hawaii, Samoa, and Tonga in the Pacific, with photos and tips, and talk about arriving at the Mystery School.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Make more room for magic<\/h2>\n
Over the past few weeks, it felt as if everything came together at exactly the right moment. Between an expensive New Year\u2019s party I chose to walk out of before midnight, a list of magical moments on my phone, and tying up loose ends as I prepare for a six-week Temple Training in New Zealand. Since making that decision, my life seems to be organizing itself. Saying \u2018no’ more often. Carrying less. Creating more space. In this Inspiration Shot, I share a few concrete moments where this became visible, maybe you will recogniZe something of yourself in them.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Learning to say No<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/div>The day after arriving in Miami, still heavily jet-lagged, we celebrated New Year\u2019s Eve. My sister and brother-in-law had bought tickets for an absurdly expensive all-inclusive party at a hotel. High expectations. The reality was a cold conference room, music far too loud, and very little atmosphere. We ate something, but my sister and I do not drink alcoholic beverages, so the open bar did nothing for us. By ten o\u2019clock, even the dessert buffet had already disappeared.<\/p>\n
Around eleven we looked at each other and thought the same thing, why are we still here? Yes, we had bought an expensive ticket. But that does not mean you have to stay. Half an hour later we were back home on the couch with a cup of tea. By five past midnight I was in bed, surprisingly happy. Best New Year\u2019s resolution ever! Here’s to saying no<\/em> more often…<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The magic I want to remember<\/h2>\n<\/div>Every year I keep a list of magical moments on my phone. Not only the big events, but especially the small, fleeting things you would otherwise forget. When I reread that list at the end of the year, it feels like opening a treasure chest. In this Facebook post I share my highlights of 2025<\/a>. Maybe it inspires you to capture your own moments, right when they happen. Another great tip is \u201cThe most important question you can ask yourself<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Loose ends<\/h2>\n<\/div>Since I decided to follow the six-week Temple Training<\/a> at a Mystery School in New Zealand, it feels as if my life is slowly clearing itself out. Priorities become clear. I let go of what no longer needs to come with me. Sometimes consciously, sometimes through dreams, sometimes by sending someone a message to close a chapter. Sometimes the other person is ready too, sometimes not yet, and that is okay. Recently I learned that in traditional cultures, important transitions are marked by simplifying and letting go of loose ends. So this feeling turns out not to be something new, but something ancient and deeply human. Maybe an invitation for you as well?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Around the world, business class<\/h2>\n<\/div>In my previous Inspiration Shot I wrote about my round-the-world trip, in which I visit people and places that matter to me, as if I only had a limited time left to live. The special RTW ticket raised many questions. How can you fly around the world in business class without an absurd budget? I explained everything clearly in a blog, including how such an RTW ticket works<\/a> and how you can book up to sixteen business class flights for around \u20ac5,000.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Inspiration bites<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FILMTIP
\n<\/strong>The road to Patagonia<\/h3>\nA beautiful road movie about surfers travelling on horseback through the Andes.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FILMTIP
\nMy big little farm<\/h3>\n
I have recommended this one before. It remains one of my favourite feel-good documentaries.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Did you know...<\/h2>\n\u2026…that my studio in Puglia is for sale?\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nI am downsizing and really want to keep only my @tinytrullo<\/a>. So, if you are looking for a charming apartment in southern Italy, as an investment, a pied-\u00e0-terre, or a holiday home, I might have something for you. My beautiful studio in Ceglie Messapica, located on an authentic street in the historic centre, is fully renovated, furnished, has a 5-star Airbnb rating, and the neighbours manage it as if it is their own apartment. It does not get easier than this. See my Airbnb listing<\/a> for photos and details. And the agent listing<\/a> for price information.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Waar is Esther?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>I made an overview of the past year, Same life, different places<\/a>.<\/p>\nVia cold Oslo and a stopover in luxurious Doha, I landed in South Africa. In Cape Town I spent Christmas with my friend Annaliza. It was a real trip down memory lane, as we spent two Covid winters there together. A few hikes, my favourite restaurants, good food with friends, two and a half days were far too short. On the Garden Route in the south, I visited Gareth, whom I met last year in Peru. It was great to experience life in a small town, surrounded by nature, for a couple of days. The long journey to Miami, 44 hours door to door, was even in the luxury Q-suites of Qatar Airways still very long. I was spoiled with a real bed, great food, and of course a proper Qatar pyjama. A full week with my father, sister, and her family followed. We celebrated New Year\u2019s, cleared out my father\u2019s storage unit, spent quality time together, went out on a boat for a day joined by my @dynamitecircle friend @christlinelozada<\/a>, I took a few tango classes at the school I always visit, and I also managed to write a book in a week for a chef friend.<\/p>\nMy trip down memory lane continues. In Toronto I stayed with my uncle and aunt for two days and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with my niece and her family. Then I went to New York, to visit my brother, artist @voiddenizen. Next time I will share about Hawaii, Samoa, and Tonga in the Pacific, with photos and tips, and talk about arriving at the Mystery School.<\/p>\n
The day after arriving in Miami, still heavily jet-lagged, we celebrated New Year\u2019s Eve. My sister and brother-in-law had bought tickets for an absurdly expensive all-inclusive party at a hotel. High expectations. The reality was a cold conference room, music far too loud, and very little atmosphere. We ate something, but my sister and I do not drink alcoholic beverages, so the open bar did nothing for us. By ten o\u2019clock, even the dessert buffet had already disappeared.<\/p>\n
Around eleven we looked at each other and thought the same thing, why are we still here? Yes, we had bought an expensive ticket. But that does not mean you have to stay. Half an hour later we were back home on the couch with a cup of tea. By five past midnight I was in bed, surprisingly happy. Best New Year\u2019s resolution ever! Here’s to saying no<\/em> more often…<\/p>\n<\/div> Every year I keep a list of magical moments on my phone. Not only the big events, but especially the small, fleeting things you would otherwise forget. When I reread that list at the end of the year, it feels like opening a treasure chest. In this Facebook post I share my highlights of 2025<\/a>. Maybe it inspires you to capture your own moments, right when they happen. Another great tip is \u201cThe most important question you can ask yourself<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div> Since I decided to follow the six-week Temple Training<\/a> at a Mystery School in New Zealand, it feels as if my life is slowly clearing itself out. Priorities become clear. I let go of what no longer needs to come with me. Sometimes consciously, sometimes through dreams, sometimes by sending someone a message to close a chapter. Sometimes the other person is ready too, sometimes not yet, and that is okay. Recently I learned that in traditional cultures, important transitions are marked by simplifying and letting go of loose ends. So this feeling turns out not to be something new, but something ancient and deeply human. Maybe an invitation for you as well?<\/p>\n<\/div> In my previous Inspiration Shot I wrote about my round-the-world trip, in which I visit people and places that matter to me, as if I only had a limited time left to live. The special RTW ticket raised many questions. How can you fly around the world in business class without an absurd budget? I explained everything clearly in a blog, including how such an RTW ticket works<\/a> and how you can book up to sixteen business class flights for around \u20ac5,000.<\/p>\n<\/div> A beautiful road movie about surfers travelling on horseback through the Andes.<\/p>\n<\/div> I have recommended this one before. It remains one of my favourite feel-good documentaries.<\/p>\n<\/div> \u2026…that my studio in Puglia is for sale?\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I am downsizing and really want to keep only my @tinytrullo<\/a>. So, if you are looking for a charming apartment in southern Italy, as an investment, a pied-\u00e0-terre, or a holiday home, I might have something for you. My beautiful studio in Ceglie Messapica, located on an authentic street in the historic centre, is fully renovated, furnished, has a 5-star Airbnb rating, and the neighbours manage it as if it is their own apartment. It does not get easier than this. See my Airbnb listing<\/a> for photos and details. And the agent listing<\/a> for price information.<\/p>\n<\/div> I made an overview of the past year, Same life, different places<\/a>.<\/p>\n Via cold Oslo and a stopover in luxurious Doha, I landed in South Africa. In Cape Town I spent Christmas with my friend Annaliza. It was a real trip down memory lane, as we spent two Covid winters there together. A few hikes, my favourite restaurants, good food with friends, two and a half days were far too short. On the Garden Route in the south, I visited Gareth, whom I met last year in Peru. It was great to experience life in a small town, surrounded by nature, for a couple of days. The long journey to Miami, 44 hours door to door, was even in the luxury Q-suites of Qatar Airways still very long. I was spoiled with a real bed, great food, and of course a proper Qatar pyjama. A full week with my father, sister, and her family followed. We celebrated New Year\u2019s, cleared out my father\u2019s storage unit, spent quality time together, went out on a boat for a day joined by my @dynamitecircle friend @christlinelozada<\/a>, I took a few tango classes at the school I always visit, and I also managed to write a book in a week for a chef friend.<\/p>\n My trip down memory lane continues. In Toronto I stayed with my uncle and aunt for two days and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with my niece and her family. Then I went to New York, to visit my brother, artist @voiddenizen. Next time I will share about Hawaii, Samoa, and Tonga in the Pacific, with photos and tips, and talk about arriving at the Mystery School.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/div>The magic I want to remember<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Loose ends<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Around the world, business class<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Inspiration bites<\/h2>\n<\/div>
FILMTIP
\n<\/strong>The road to Patagonia<\/h3>\n<\/a><\/span><\/div>FILMTIP
\nMy big little farm<\/h3>\n<\/a><\/span><\/div>Did you know...<\/h2>
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Waar is Esther?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Waar-is-Esther-jan2026.jpg\" "\\"Waar")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>