LaMatu

What does it really mean to design a meaningful life abroad?

I recently recorded a podcast conversation with Adis Sophie from Designing Your Life - Netherlands at the podcast studio of Equals Clubhouse in Amsterdam.

Together, we explored relocation, reinvention, career transitions, and the intentional choices that help us build a life with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.

I shared parts of my own journey: moving from Poland to Spain, Germany, and eventually the Netherlands; building an international corporate career; and later transitioning into founding LaMatu, my coaching practice for international professionals navigating career and life transitions in the Netherlands.

We explored questions many expats and international professionals will recognise:
↳ How do you create a meaningful life in a new country?
↳ How do you navigate uncertainty when your career path no longer feels aligned?
↳ How can job crafting, coaching, and small experiments help you prototype the next chapter of your life?
↳ And how do you move forward when you are ready for change, but not yet sure what that change should look like?

Thank you, Adis Sophie, for co-creating such a thoughtful and grounded conversation, and or bringing this work to life.

The episode is called "Designing a Meaningful Life Abroad: How to Intentionally Design a Life Aligned with Purpose."

🎙️ Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi0lSYNIsfU

🎯 A proud moment for , who has been recognised by .nl with a 9.9 score and ranked among the Top 10 coaches in Amsterdam and surrounding areas. 

This recognition reflects the trust and feedback of the incredible professionals I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years.

Thank you to every client who has allowed me to be part of their journey—your growth, courage, and transformation are what make this work so meaningful.

If you’re exploring your next career move, seeking clarity, or ready to step into your full potential, I'll be happy to help you reach your goals and celebrate your successes!

Earlier this year, I had the honour of being featured in the Entrepreneurs’ Diaries series by equals.nl, highlighting the journeys of female entrepreneurs and role models in the Netherlands.

Building LaMatu has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional life.

After 16 years in international corporate environments and more than 20 years of professional experience overall, entrepreneurship gave me the opportunity to create something fully aligned with my values: a coaching practice dedicated to helping people design careers and lives that feel both meaningful and authentic.

In the feature, I shared parts of my own journey—from Warsaw to Amsterdam, from multinational boardrooms and corporate leadership to entrepreneurship.

What I appreciate about initiatives like this is the visibility they create for women building businesses with purpose, especially in spaces where representation still matters.

A heartfelt thank you to the team at equals.nl for the feature and for the important work you do in championing women in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

If you’ve been following my journey for a while: thank you for being here.

And if entrepreneurship is a path you’re currently considering, LaMatu would be happy to help you make that dream a reality.

LaMatu has recently been featured in the list of trusted professionals at Womanship, a platform bringing together women and health & wellness professionals, coaches and therapists. Share more. Worry less. Thrive together.

🇳🇱 The Netherlands has just been ranked among the top 10 richest countries in the world—and the numbers behind the prosperity index are worth a closer look.

According to the Richest Countries in the World 2026 by HelloSafe:
• The Netherlands ranks 7th globally
• GDP per capita exceeds $57,000
• It reached a Prosperity Index of 55,17 out of 100

As a relatively small country, it stands among the strongest-performing economies in Europe. What stands out is the consistency, as the Netherlands continues to show stability in a rapidly changing economic landscape across key indicators: productivity, innovation, and international competitiveness.

For international professionals, this creates a very specific environment:
A market that is dynamic, opportunity-rich, and highly competitive at the same time.

In the work with my clients at LaMatu, I bring structure to complex career decisions, support them in positioning themselves in an international context, and help translate ambition into their next strategic move in highly competitive, fast-moving market.

Thanks to IamExpat Media for highlighting this study.

If you’re currently building or rethinking your career in the Netherlands, this context matters. Because understanding the market is one thing. Effectively positioning yourself within it is where the real work begins.

—

👩🏼‍💻 I’m Monika Matuszewska, a Certified Professional Coach at LaMatu
🆓 Do you need some help positioning yourself on the Dutch job market? Schedule a free Discovery Call!
https://lamatu.com/discovery-call

🔗 Link to the original study and related article in comments.

Discovery Call | LaMatu Coaching Amsterdam FREE Discovery Call. LaMatu offers a complimentary intake session to all of its new clients. Find out if coaching is right for you during a free online session.

According to CPB, the median annual salary in the Netherlands for 2026 is €48,000 gross per year, while the monthly average is €3,800 gross per month.

Money talks 🤑
READ MORE: https://links.dutchreview.com/uVh6

The new EU directive is finally coming to the Netherlands!

From June 2026, you can find out the salary for a job you're applying for!🔗READ HERE: https://www.iamexpat.nl/career/employment-news/dutch-companies-required-disclose-salaries-hiring-process-new-eu-law

🌟 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 | Monika Matuszewska

In a world that celebrates speed, performance, and constant delivery, Monika Matuszewska reminds us that true leadership begins with presence.

Founder of LaMatu and an award-winning transformational coach, Monika’s journey is not just one of professional success, but of profound realignment. After 16 years leading digital transformation for global giants like L’Oréal, Philips, and IBM, she reached a pivotal realization: building brands was impactful, but building people was meaningful.

“𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣… 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨.”

📖 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: https://executivesdiary.com/2026/03/18/monika-matuszewska/

With four Master’s degrees and experience across cultures and industries, Monika has worked with professionals from over 80 nationalities, helping them navigate the often-overlooked intersection of ambition and identity. Her approach blends linguistic depth, corporate insight, and emotional intelligence to uncover the invisible narratives shaping how leaders show up.

Through LaMatu, she has built more than a coaching practice, she has created a space where high performers learn to slow down, reconnect with their values, and lead with clarity and authenticity.

“𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨, 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚… 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙡. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚.”

Her story is a powerful reminder: leadership is not just about achieving more, it’s about understanding who you are while you do it.

LaMatu