I started The Happier Studio in September 2022, during a time when I felt lost and unhappy about the direction of my life. What was supposed to be one of the happiest moments—starting a new chapter after moving from the Netherlands to Adelaide, Australia—quickly became a period of feeling unfulfilled and disconnected.
To try to pull myself out of this, I dove into research articles and books on positive psychology, desperately seeking answers to why I felt this way and how I could rediscover happiness. Slowly but surely, I began uncovering strategies that worked. By applying these science-backed ideas, I started to see positive changes in my daily life.
Now, my mission is to make the science of happiness and well-being accessible and relatable. Through The Happier Studio, I share actionable ideas on how to live a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life, and focus on providing science-backed insights and practical strategies that you can apply in your daily life.
How My Work Will Benefit You
The central question I explore through my work is, “How can we design a life we truly love?”
Here are some of the topics I write about:
- How to start and sustain habits that bring joy and meaning
- How to align your actions with your values
- How to find clarity and focus in a busy, overwhelming world
- How to create systems for growth and improvement
- How to do more of the things that matters most to you
The ideas I share are drawn from research, personal experience, and stories from others. I dig deep into fields like psychology, neuroscience, behavioural science, and philosophy to uncover strategies that work. Then, I break these concepts down into clear, actionable advice that you can use to improve your life.
I don’t have all the answers, but I’m committed to sharing what I learn along the way. My hope is that my work inspires you to make meaningful changes and pursue a life that feels aligned with who you are and what matters most to you.
You can begin your journey by exploring my articles or signing up for my newsletter.
About Me
Here are a few things about me…
- Creator of The Happier Studio, a platform dedicated to sharing proven ways to build a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life.
- Writer of articles on topics like happiness, habits, meaning, mindset, productivity, and life design.
- Host of the podcast Do What Matters, where I share ideas and strategies for intentional living.
- Health Scientist pursuing a PhD focused on improving palliative care access and delivery in rural Australia.
- Published researcher and advocate for empowering individuals and communities to take positive steps toward a better, more fulfilling future.
My goal is simple: to share ideas that help you live better—one day, one decision, and one habit at a time.
Other Interests
When I’m not writing or researching, I’m passionate about:
- Parenting. Becoming a parent has changed the way I see the world. Raising my son is a daily reminder to be present, patient, and intentional. It’s the most fulfilling challenge I’ve ever taken on, and it’s taught me to appreciate the small moments that make life meaningful.
- Running. Running has become an integral part of my life. It’s about more than just fitness—it’s about mental clarity, discipline, and proving to myself what I’m capable of. I’m training for my first marathon next year, and each run is a step toward becoming a stronger, more resilient version of myself.
- Videography and photography. I love capturing the world through a lens. Whether it’s a simple moment at home or a sweeping landscape while traveling, photography and videography teach me to notice the details and tell stories in unique ways. They’re a creative outlet that keeps me curious and engaged.
- Travel. Exploring new places and cultures is one of my greatest passions. Travel broadens my perspective, fuels my curiosity, and helps me connect with people and communities in meaningful ways.
Preliminary principles
These are a preliminary set of guiding principles that we use to live a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life.
- Live in the moment. Appreciating what you have right here and now helps to boost your overall well-being.
- Nurture family and friends. The main component contributing to happiness is the quality of your relationships.
- Do what matters. Live according to your strengths and values, and see your happiness sky rocket.
- Community support. Being there for others not only makes the world a better place, it also makes you better.
- Always keep growing and developing. Learning is essential to our existence - just like food and water is.
- Backed by science. Our tools are backed by science, be it research papers or scientist interviews.