Chantal Agapiti

I will tell you why I write That seems to be a recurrent question. Why would someone in their right mind chose to do something that is so hard and at times unpredictable? The answer is quite simple, obvious even to some. As this isn’t a conscious choice, it is just who we are. I began writing as a young child, maybe eight years old at the time. I wrote a Fantasy story as it was the only way I had found to free myself from the daily aches. I was saved by my imagination. However I never saw thi...

Today we celebrate Another milestone in a boy’s life. Another milestone in a parent’s life. Another milestone in a family’s life. Today we celebrate my first born’s solemn communion. We join on this beautiful summer’s day, together with family and friends. As it’s important to share, to support, to be there. It is in such joyful times that we appreciate the good we have received in life. It is important to be thankful, to remember, to witness. Today we celebrate as my oldest son sets foot on ...

I too asked ChatGPT for help. Last couple of days I had some interesting discussions about how I could use AI tools like ChatGPT, without losing my own creativity. As a storyteller it is essential to keep my own thoughts, my own voice, doing the creative work myself. I was worried using AI tools would be letting it take over from me. And that is not what I want, at all. Protecting my identity is the essence to my work. However, I was facing an issue that I couldn’t fix myself. Yep, I too face...

I wonder why Why it is we don’t seem apt to recognize someone’s worth, but we are always ready to take on its flaws. My father used to say: 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘰 è 𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢, 𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘷𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦. 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘰 è 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘰, 𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘷𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘰. Meaning: as long as dad was alive, he couldn’t do anything. Once he passed away, he could do everything. I never gave it to much thought as he said this, since his passing (almost three years ago) I have come to realize he was right. I have caught myself telling my ki...

These 5 books inspired me to be a better writer. The last couple of days I have taken my ambition to improve my writing skills, to the next level. I geared up and read 5 books in warp speed as there is no time to lose. I've launched myself as a freelance writer at 41 but time isn't my greatest ally in this journey. Therefore I'm doing all I can to make things happen right here, right now. Curious about the books that I've read and what they thought me? Just watch my video. Who knows there mig...

I have always been curious. Curious just about everything in life. We still know so little about many things, in our chased every day life we walk by and hardly acknowledge their existence. As I always wanted to take a closer look of those small things, which have become invisible to us, I take my camera with me to take a better view. I never liked posed pictures. I enjoy capturing moments when no one is watching. Just steal an undisturbed instant of its existence. Of course my photolibrary m...

Do you clean up your mess? 🤔 I’ve never been fond of cleaning, 🧽 I do it because I have to but I don’t like it. But what happens if you don’t? The rubbish just gets worse and you won’t be able to see your interior design anymore. And that’s what you really care about. You spent so much time and effort in order to create the right atmosphere, the color scales, etc. It’s for the same reason we ought to clean up our writing. 🖋️ Your message needs to be clear, therefore you need to eliminate what...

A little book, for a little woman. 👩🏻 In this case I do mean literally in size 😉. It finally arrived yesterday afternoon and I finished it by evening. So full of useful advice not only about writing in English, but writing tout court. “Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.” When I came across that quote I felt relieved as grammar has never been one of my strengths. Especially as a multilingual writer it can be quite a challenge to apply all those different sets of specific rules...

Ik ben Mama Manager aangename kennismaking. Als je jezelf voorstelt aan iemand die je niet kent dan gebruiken we hier meestal onze functie of titel voor.

I never do this But I am too proud of this one. I officially started as a #freelancer on March 1st and the very next day I got my first #job on Upwork. 😎 #timing can have such a great influence on your plans. I could not have dreamed of a better start. Today, on this last day of June, on this last day of school, I received my review for this project. This means so much to me as it defines my start as a free agent at the young age of 41. It gives me the positive energy to keep believing in mys...

Today, exactly 6 years ago my first born graduated from Kindergarten. Today, exactly 3 years ago my father passed away. Today, my first born is graduating from elementary school. Today life’s duality is omnipresent. Life and death. Joy and heartache. Laughter and tears. Life’s extremes are holding hands, marching together. It is by reminiscing life’s darkest times, that we can appreciate its light. As both function together in symbiose. There is no darkness if there is not light. We accept th...

To solve a problem you need to: ✅ observe ✅ assess the situation ✅ decide what you need ✅ procure available tools for help ✅ proceed with solving the problem ✅ evaluate all of the above, adjust where needed Sounds logical, doesn’t it? Yet something important is missing. ➡️ collaboration In business we work in teams most of the time. And it is so useful to involve your team. Even if you are apt to solve the issue on your own, working together has it’s benefits: ✔️ diversity in ideas and approa...

I was stunned. One of the greatest compliments someone gave me here on LI is 💬 I am loving your writing style. Can seem insignificant to some, but to me it means the world. As a writer: you need to find your own voice you need to find your own tone you need to find your own style I knew I had a voice of my own, that part was undeniable evident and present. (Maybe a bit too present sometimes🤓) However I had no idea I achieved to find my style. And that is such a big deal to me. It means I’m re...

I have referred to him many times Because his life philosophy was so interesting. His way of expressing his beliefs was so compelling. He had such great charisma, an aura even which surrounded his very being. Not only while fighting, but also while speaking. Gone too soon like so many other great minds, yet he managed to leave a mark. I often say “it’s all about mindset” as I am convinced of the truth which lies in this simple concept. You want to be healthy? You want to be happy? You want to...

Are you struggling to find the right fit? One of the reasons why I launched myself as a #freelancer is because I couldn't find a #job in the ordinary market. For many months I did all I could to show my skills and potential, but nothing happen't and nothing changed. Therefore I took the leap. I have learned many things from my never ending search for a job. And even now as a freelancer, struggle is still a part of it. Have a look at my video in which I show you a vivid example of how things c...

I finally got some of the answers I needed. ☺️ This is the fourth “research” book I’ve read about writing in the last week. Even though every one of them had useful and interesting advice about the craft, this one provided some of the answers I was looking for in regards to one of my projects. One of the projects that are dear to me is writing a memoir (not to be mistaken with a biography). I wish to come to terms with the events which struck my life, find understanding and peace even. Some o...

Everybody seems to love AI tools like Chat GPT I never quite understood what all the fuss was about. 🤷🏻♀️ So there is a new technology tool to help us in our work. What’s the big deal? I didn’t miss it till now so why do I need it? I already have a tool which helps me in my work and that’s my imagination. I could always rely on my imagination. It helped me out of many situations, not only at work but in everyday life as well. I’m so happy to be an eighties kid I got to grew up in the era righ...

This is the second time I had to explain my reading choice to my children this week. 🤦🏻♀️🤓 Another book which I heard of right here on LinkedIn. 😉 I too was a bit reluctant at first when I saw the title. The word “steal” is provocative and that’s what made me read it in the end. Of course the author doesn’t mean you have to steal anything, he talks about getting your inspiration from what you see in the world. You can get inspired by what you see what you read what you listen to We all start ...

Who would of thought. Who’s been reading my posts already know that my life was struck by irony more than once before. Well, this too is a fine example of some sort of irony.

Een coach en zijn technisch directeur gaan in gesprek over aannemen van nieuw talent. “Coach, ik keek naar de highlights uit de competitie en mijn oog viel op een talent met veel potentieel.”

I keep saying it. Just keep it plain and simple. What am I talking about? Well, this quote can just be about anything you want. 🤔Which ingredients do I add to this plate? 🤷🏻♀️ Just keep it plain and simple. 🤔What will I wear to diner tonight? 🤷🏻♀️Just keep it plain and simple. 🤔What will I put in my luggage? 🤷🏻♀️Just keep it plain and simple. 🤔How will I write this story? 🤷🏻♀️ Just keep it plain and simple. 💯Works every time and that’s why I keep saying it. It took me years to learn not to co...

I hosted my own radio show. Back in the ‘80ies when I was just a little girl, I spend a lot of time alone. All I had to keep me company was my vivid imagination. So I entertained myself making my own radio show. I found one of the tapes between some old stuff at home. It was like getting into a Delorian leaving today’s world and instantly finding myself back in my old room. I must have been about 10 years old tops. So I took my tape recorder, pressed two buttons for it to start recording. I s...

I couldn’t be more proud of my kids. 😍 When my kids take their school results home, I always pay more attention to what their teachers say about them as persons. How they act in school. How they are eager to learn. How they contribute in class. We are all able to get good grades, but that doesn’t tell me much of who you are. Maybe you are just a quick learner, have a good memory or are just in luck. However your attitude reflects your values in life. Are you able to adapt to every situation? ...

I love getting up while everyone is still sleeping. In a house where chaos and noise never come to rest, it’s such a delight to find a rare instant of peace. In this fast paced world we ought to live in, when time is at your side it’s like the universe is throwing you a bone. It’s telling you to take this time, embrace it for what it truly is. A gift from what’s beyond our comprehension. Don’t question it. Don’t let it slip. Don’t waste it. Be content with what surrounds you. Be content with ...

What a wonderful event. A few years ago, we planted a branch. It was from a white rose, one of my favorite flowers. Though I didn’t receive the gift of gardening from generations passed, I do love to plant seeds and see them grow. What a wonderful event it is to witness year after year, how nature comes alive. Just as my white roses, I’m waken up by early summer’s warmth. Revived by its promess. I blossom and reveal myself as I am. Beautiful and flawed. 𝐻𝓊𝓂𝒶𝓃 𝒷𝓎 𝓃𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒. _______________ Enjoy ...

I had a dream. I was born and raised in Belgium out of an immigrant’s family. My parents came from Italy and moved here in the ‘70’s. As I started school at the age of 2,5 I didn’t know a word of Dutch. At home we spoke Italian and we watched a lot of French television. But no Dutch whatsoever. As you can imagine going to school in an unknown language was quite a choc. I remember sitting there just looking at everyone and feeling like an alien. But even when I learned the language, this feeli...

Almost 14 years ago, life gave me a second chance. I was living my life the only way I knew how, desperately chasing love. To make up for the lack of affection in my childhood. So I met and kissed a few frogs, hoping they’d turn up to be my savior. And the last frog took me to an unknown destination. Right into a concrete wall. Everything in the car was found on the road, even my sneakers came off my feet upon the warm asphalt. My seatbelt saved my life. It was D-day as I call it. An eyeopene...

Working on a Sunday 👩🏻💻 Or a sunny day as spring is finally warming up the atmosphere. ☀️ If someone would have asked me in the past, if I’d like to work on Sundays I’d say no right away. The thing is when you finally get to do what you love, it doesn’t feel like “work” at all. When you like what you do, you feel passion which gives you energy. I had to wait a long time to achieve this state of mind, and even though I’m aware of being far from my financial goal; it still makes me happy. 😌 I’m...

This is the second time I had to explain my reading choice to my children this week. 🤦🏻♀️🤓 Another book which I heard of right here on LinkedIn. 😉 I too was a bit reluctant at first when I saw the title. The word “steal” is provocative and that’s what made me read it in the end. Of course the author doesn’t mean you have to steal anything, he talks about getting your inspiration from what you see in the world. You can get inspired by what you see what you read what you listen to We all start ...

Ghosting een fenomeen dat niet enkel bij het daten voorkomt. Het is één van de meest frustrerende zaken die je kan tegenkomen als werkzoekende.