Give yourself the space to immerse yourself in a new environment

What does life at the summer house mean to you?

What life at the summer house gives me right now is time to practice self-love. I practice self-love in a completely different way when I’m here. It’s the new, beautiful surroundings that create a very special sense of peace. A sense of calm that I try to create at home, but that comes completely naturally here. And now, as I sit here looking out at the forest, it practically invites me outside. It invites me to go for walks and to connect with nature.

Vacation homes also invite a special kind of coziness, and it’s just here. Here, I find that the things I usually put off—and beat myself up over not getting done—I accomplish completely automatically. Here, I can’t let myself be distracted by a coffee date, a load of laundry, or anything else back home. Here, there’s peace to create.

Why did you think it would be a good idea for you to spend a week working in a summer house?

Many people think of a summer house as a place you can only go during summer vacation or on the weekend, but going on a “workation” like this just provides the perfect balance between being in the moment and staying focused on work. Here, you can let your thoughts wander while still staying present. I’ve discovered that I have some set routines that I love—meditating, writing in my gratitude journal, and reading—and I’ve also given myself permission to completely unwind. When you’re so passionate about your work that it doesn’t feel like work, it’s good to remember that you can also recharge by doing something that has nothing to do with your job.

This trip gives me more than I think I can describe right now. It gives me more than I’d expected, because I don’t feel like I’m at work. This is how I recharge—even on a regular weekday.

What does it mean to you that the summer house is just a weekend trip away from the city?

In this case, it meant it was easy for me to hop in the car and head out. My assistant could drive me up here without it being a full-day trip for her, and we could shoot some campaign footage, and then she could just drive back home. If it weren’t for the fact that I bring so many things with me, it would also be easy to take the train up here. Maybe a couple of friends will stop by over the weekend once they’re done working on Saturday, and because it’s so close, they can easily pop up here for a quick visit and we can have a nice evening together. I thought it didn’t matter if it took a couple of hours, but that’s definitely not the case. It’s a huge advantage that it’s only an hour’s drive. Otherwise, you can easily end up spending a lot of time on transportation. The flexibility is just a huge plus—especially when you’re here alone.

What have you been focusing on while you’re away?

I came here alone because I needed to develop a new concept related to housing for my social media, and I’ve already finished it. It’s already been sent to my agency, so today we’re going to discuss strategy and collaboration opportunities. And I’m also dealing with a lot of investments that I need to figure out and learn more about. My mind is racing, and I’ve got all sorts of exciting things going on. The peace and quiet here just makes me insanely productive.

How does it affect you that the summer house is surrounded by nature right outside the door?

Nature fills me with energy. I have a bit of a view of the water back home, but nothing like it’s here. Nature gives me a sense of calm that can be hard to find when you’re juggling a lot of things—or if you’re working a lot. I think it’s true for many people that it’s hard to stay calm inside when things are hectic, and that’s what nature provides. Waking up here gives me a balanced start to the day, and it recharges me instead of draining my energy. The ocean is my number one source of inspiration. For me, the ocean is truly special—you can’t even begin to grasp how vast and amazing it is. It holds so much strength and power. The fact that it’s only three minutes from the vacation home is just incredible. When I walk down there and am just myself, it stirs up feelings that sometimes feel a bit distant, and that’s incredibly nice. I really appreciate that.

How does staying in a vacation home—handpicked for its beautiful, personalized decor and scenic location—enhance your experience?

Getting away from familiar surroundings also makes it something truly special. Several people have written to me saying that this vacation home is a perfect fit for me, and I feel completely at home here, too. The rooms are bright and airy, and it’s wonderful to feel recharged with energy.

It was a natural choice for me to pick a “ Landfolk ” vacation home for this process, because it allows me to both start something new and have time to finish the project. It’s like I’ve launched my projects in a lovely, beautiful setting, and my productivity is incredibly high. Here, I can work with full concentration without distractions, and I’m so inspired by having nature right outside.