Hi, I’m Ruben Bijman, born and raised in Amsterdam—a seeker of wisdom, an explorer of ideas and adventures, and a student of the art of living well.

Once upon a time, I studied Applied Psychology—mostly because I had no idea what I was doing. But figuring myself out turned out to be a major turning point in my life.

After that, I traveled the world and spent half a year scuba diving on a tropical island in Thailand. I collected some incredible memories… and a few nightmarish ones too. (Yes, I met a psychopath, and I’m still here to tell the tale.) Okay, maybe that sounds a bit dramatic—it wasn’t that bad—but it did scare me straight.

Back in the “real world,” away from paradise, I decided I wanted to build my own income streams—not to get rich, but to have the freedom to do whatever I want with my life.

I dived into different entrepreneurial projects with mixed results—highs and lows, drama and triumph, success and failure. I’ll spare you the details for now, but let’s just say I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love writing, especially about psychology, health, and wisdom. I’m also a big fan of hot tubs, improv theater, and rock & roll dancing. Food has always been a central theme in my life, but when I turned 30, I realized I was 20 kg heavier than I wanted to be. So, I made a change. Now I cook healthy, but still delicious food. Yes, these two can coexist.

I value personal responsibility, honesty, learning, and living life on my own terms, whatever that means. I try to live by memento mori, a reminder of our inevitable death. Yes, it sounds dark, but it helps me focus on what really matters—and it’s a fantastic excuse for skipping chores.

This Blog is About Wisdom

I write this blog with a focus on timeless wisdom—principles of life, growth, and understanding that can hold true a thousand years from now.

I write about wisdom to clear my head and, hopefully, help others become the best versions of themselves.

Curious about why I write about wisdom? I’ve dedicated a whole page to it.

What You Can Expect

You’ll find a mix of thought-provoking essays, personal stories, and practical insights to help us both see the world a bit differently. Whether it’s exploring ancient wisdom or reflecting on modern-day challenges, I aim to offer perspectives that spark curiosity and self-reflection so we can both keep growing.

How exciting 🙂

I’m still figuring out my writing style, but one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be personal and packed with humor. Also, I’m dyslexic, so if you spot a typo, feel free to point it out politely. Or don’t, and just add to my childhood trauma—thanks for that, Mrs. Joldersma.

Let’s Connect

I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions. Feel free to reach out: contact@wisdominprogress.com

Or subscribe to my newsletter for my latest reflections and insights.

Let’s figure out this journey together, because honestly, I have no idea what I’m doing.

With love and humility,
Ruben