Beyond Borders: Lessons Learned During 3 Months of Rediscovery with My Family

As the airplane took off from Amsterdam Airport in November, leaving behind the familiar landscapes of the Netherlands, a mix of anticipation and trepidation filled me. For the first time in my career, I was about to embark on a three-month sabbatical with my wife Anne Camphuijsen and daughter Emma, stepping away from the daily grind of business to explore Singapore, Penang, Langkawi, Melbourne, Tasmania, and Kuala Lumpur. Emma was almost turning 4 years and this was the perfect opportunity to make a big trip before she joined the lower school.

This journey wasn't just about geographical exploration but a deep dive into the realms of personal freedom, family bonding, and the essence of trust in my professional life. And of course, spend time with our lovely family in Penang ( Blijde Ligthart Jitse Ligthart and my mother-in-law ineke koppe who joined us) and experience and witness the new life that my brother Niels Wieleman built up in the Melbourne area, together with Rachel Worboys . It is a unique way to spend a long time together with your close family that you normally don't see because of the distance.

A Leap of Faith in Business

Leaving Code Nomads in the hands of my team felt like jumping out of a plane without a parachute, even though I knew it would work out perfectly fine. Yet, as days turned into weeks, the silence of my phone was not the calm before the storm but the peace of trust. Not a single business crisis call or urgent text crossed my horizon, a testament to the incredible team back home, thanks to Roy Braam , Maike van Straten , Hans Jan Bosscha , Roy Wasse , Bert Jan Schrijver , ?? Artem Makarov and Makan Sepehrifar . Their professionalism and dedication kept the business afloat and propelled it forward in my absence. I owe them a debt of gratitude that words can scarcely express. This experience taught me the true meaning of leadership: it's not about being indispensable but about fostering a team that can excel without you. And I can now say with full confidence: that I’m blessed to be surrounded by such a great team!

The Uncharted Territories of Family Time

The uninterrupted days with Anne and Emma were a revelation. Initially, I feared the loss of personal space and the constant presence of family without the escape hatch of work. Yet, these fears quickly dissolved into the joy of shared discoveries, laughter, and the simple pleasure of being together. Watching Emma navigate new environments, embrace new experiences, and grow before our eyes was a privilege. Her boundless energy and curiosity were infectious, reminding me that life's most profound lessons often come not from structured plans but from spontaneous moments of connection and adventure. You don’t need to have an agenda or to-do list to have quality time with your child. Just go with the flow, move left even though you intend to go to the right, and simply spend time together. 3 hours in a playground can be just as much fun as a theme park visit.

Embracing the Unexpected

This sabbatical tore down my preconceptions about constant connectivity and the need to be always in control. The real surprise was not just how the business thrived in my absence, but how liberating it felt to be disconnected. This mental space allowed me to dream bigger, think clearer, and conceive ideas that had previously been clouded by the fog of daily urgencies and an insane amount of phone calls, text messages and emails.

Another unexpected thing that we tried to embrace: celebrating Christmas in summertime. A weird experience to be in a (freezing) swimming pool while having Christmas dinner ;)

A Renewed Vision for Work and Life

Returning to the helm of Code Nomads, I carried with me not just memories but a new vision for integrating these lessons into my professional and personal life. My approach now prioritizes deep work, strategic thinking, and the cultivation of an environment where innovation can flourish. This balance is my new blueprint for leading a fulfilling life, ensuring we're not just responding to the present, but actively shaping our future. Take the time to think, reflect and zoom out, so that you can focus on what’s important instead of urgent.

Gratitude and Looking Forward

I am profoundly grateful for this journey and for the people who made it possible: my family, for their love and companionship, and my team, for their exceptional stewardship of our shared dream. Huge thanks to Arko van Brakel , who gave me the confidence to take this adventurous leap of faith. This experience has redefined my understanding of freedom, leadership, and the essence of happiness.

To everyone reading this, know that stepping back is not a retreat but a strategic realignment. It's an opportunity to see the broader picture, to recharge, and to come back stronger, with a heart full of gratitude and a mind brimming with new ideas. Watch this space, because the next chapter for us at Code Nomads promises to be exciting, innovative, and deeply influenced by the lessons of these three transformative months.

I hope to inspire you all in the upcoming year with all the new entrepreneurial adventures that are originating on this trip. If you want to know more about these new things or want to hear more about my amazing trip to Asia and Australia, feel free to send me a DM. I would be more than happy to show you the 2,000+ pictures we took ;)