Sjoerd Blom

Since I received the news that my contract will not be renewed, I’ve noticed my nights have become more restless. During the day I can usually keep my thoughts organised, but at night they tend to return. Questions about what comes next, where things might lead.

Earlier, on March 2, I wrote that my third temporary contract will be coming to an end and will not be extended. Since then people have occasionally asked how I’m doing now. So here is a small, honest update.

In the Netherlands, employers are allowed to offer a maximum of three temporary contracts within a period of three years. After that, either a permanent contract follows, or the employment ends. This rule, known as the “chain rule,” is intended to protect employees.

On paper, that sounds fair. In practice, it often works differently.

Static websites have many advantages. They are fast, secure, easy to host, and simple to maintain. With a generator like Hugo, you can deploy a blazing-fast site without a database or complex backend.

But there is one classic pain point: the contact form.

Without server-side logic, you quickly end up relying on third-party services such as Formspree, Getform, or the built-in forms functionality of Netlify. They work. Often even for free or at low cost.

I care deeply about sustainability. Not because it sounds good at birthday parties, but because it simply makes sense. Waste less, use energy more intelligently, think a little ahead. That’s something I’ve been trying to do at home for years.

My roof has been covered with solar panels for quite some time now. I was, and still am, genuinely happy with that. There’s something reassuring about the idea that the sun is quietly burning down my energy bill. At least, there was. In the meantime, the government has made owning solar panels considerably less attractive. Net metering is being phased out, feed-in compensation is decreasing, and additional costs are being introduced. The sun still shines just as brightly, but the enthusiasm has dimmed somewhat.

Since redesigning my website, I made myself a solemn promise: publish more often. At least twice a week. Rhythm. Structure. Discipline. It seemed only logical. If you want to stay visible, you have to remain visible.

A fine resolution, but reality tends to push back.

During the week, my job absorbs a great deal of energy. Not so much the work itself, but mainly the hours. They carve up the day. When I get home, I want absolutely nothing for a moment. No keyboard. No ideas. No SEO checks or sentences that could be tightened just a little more.

Let me be honest right away: I have absolutely nothing with Valentine’s Day. In fact, I think it’s a terrible day. There. It’s out. But yes… I’m married. And my wife expects me to do something. So there you are, mid-February, stuck in an internal struggle between principle and pragmatism.

A gift. With a poem. I hear myself say it and instantly feel 83 years old.