What liberation meant in 1945, and what it means today
Yesterday was May 5th — Liberation Day in the Netherlands. We remembered the end of WWII and the liberation from occupation. It’s a powerful reminder of how precious freedom is. Freedom that was once taken… and then courageously reclaimed.
But as I sit with that word — liberation — it feels bigger than one historical moment. It feels timeless. Because while we may live in peace, many still face war—out there, and in here. Some battles are visible. Some are buried so deep, we forget we’re still fighting them.
This theme of freedom runs deep for me.
My parents each came to the Netherlands in search of something freer, more possible. My father in the early ’60s. My mother in the early ’70s when they got married. After Indonesian independence, new space opened up—for movement, opportunity, and choice. They built a life here. And through that, they gave me a foundation of freedom they never fully had themselves. It wasn’t easy. But it was brave.
And now, I see how my journey continues that same spirit—just in a different form. One I’m only able to focus on because my parents had the courage to pursue and create physical freedom—for themselves, and for me. It’s on their foundation that I’ve been able to explore a deeper kind of liberation: internal, personal, and still unfolding.
For a long time, I didn’t enjoy being in the water. Even after I got over my fear, it still felt uncomfortable. I preferred land. I wasn’t a waterrat, and water sports just didn’t appeal to me.
But the truth is: I was still limiting myself. Not living my true potential. Because when you stay in your comfort zone, you avoid fear— but you also miss the joy, the excitement, and the growth waiting behind it.
That started to change when I felt a desire to move differently— first through triathlons, then kite surfing, and later wingfoiling. And now, I’m learning SUP downwind foiling.
I still feel the edge of discomfort. But I also feel something else: freedom. Not from mastering the water—but from not letting fear choose for me.
It’s not always graceful… but it’s real. And it’s fun. And that, to me, is liberation.
So today, while we continue to reflect, I also want to ask:
What does liberation look like in our personal lives, here and now?
Maybe it’s…
– Letting go of the voice in your head that says you’re not ready yet
– Releasing the pressure to be who others expect you to be
– Breaking free from the quiet fear of judgment that shapes your choices
– Stepping into discomfort instead of avoiding it out of fear
– Stepping beyond the unspoken rules that shrink your dreams
– Choosing your own path—not the “shoulds” of society
– Unchaining yourself from productivity as a measure of worth
– Giving yourself permission to want, to create, to live fully
Maybe liberation today looks like saying:
“This version of me… no longer needs to be in charge.” “I can choose again.”
We celebrate the gift of external freedom. But it’s just as vital to explore internal freedom— the kind that unlocks your spirit, your expression, your true potential in life.
True liberation is not just the absence of control. It’s the presence of courage.
To dream. To change. To say no. To say yes. To be fully yourself.
So as we reflect on what freedom meant in 1945— let’s also consider what it means for us personally in 2025. And what’s still possible when we set ourselves free.
A heartfelt reflection, one day after Liberation Day in The Netherlands
