Hi!
I’m Elles,
I enjoy life endlessly, some even think I overdo it. I’m a world traveler, brand namer, social butterfly, wannabe writer, foodie, wonderful wife and filmmaker of the world around me. And oh yeah, I have a heart condition. I almost forgot.
Over twenty years ago I was diagnosed with a heart disease called restrictive cardiomyopathy. My cardiologist told me not to Google it, but I did. Naturally. I was thunderstruck but got back on my feet and moved on as a girl in my twenties, still going strong as a woman in my forties. With highs and lows and everything in between.
Having a heart condition sucks, big time. It can be depressing, stupid, annoying, hard, sad, and upsetting, but life’s too short to not enjoy it. Yes, I have a heart condition and that’s a part of me. There’s no denying that. But no, it does not, and I repeat, it does not define who I am. I’m a lucky person who loves (almost) every day of my life.
Life’s full of stories and I decided to write mine down. I’ll take you on a journey through my life as an optimist with a heart condition in the three cities I love(d) living in that impacted my life: Amsterdam, London and Singapore. Because we all need a moment out of our daily routine to hide from the rain, to enjoy the stories of someone close to us—even if we don’t know them, to get inspired to do things the same way or exactly the opposite, to know we’re not alone, and to laugh off recognizably painful situations. There’s too much darkness in the world already.
Don’t do everything I do. Don’t do everything I say.
I am not a doctor. I am not an expert.
I just do what feels right to me, which might not be right for you.
I live my life the way I want to and you should too.
