Meet Alexandre Helsen
Life advice from an island paradise.
Welcome to People Like You, a weekly newsletter where I deep-dive into the experiences, lessons and recommendations of the most intriguing people I know. Read time - 4 minutes.
Today’s issue: Alexandre Helsen | remote work advocate, online entrepreneur | Grand Bay, Mauritius | °1995
WHY ALEXANDRE?
Alexandre is living the dream that many of us, well… only can dream of. In the wake of Covid-19, he left Belgium to set up shop on Mauritius, the island paradise in the Indian Ocean that’s home to stunning beaches, volcanoes, honeymoon resorts - and a growing number of expats.
He’s living proof that it is possible to step out of the rat race - and build a life, a community and a business that resonates with you, instead of the other way around. And that you don’t need to risk it all to start doing so. Curiosity, a bit of courage and the right company will see you a long way.
HIS STORY
Over the last weeks, Alexandre and I have been chatting online about how he ended up on a bounty island that was once the dwelling ground of pirates, explorers and dodos. Turns out he’s not that different from most of us - he’s not Crocodile Dundee or Indiana Jones - he’s just a bit stubborn, good at seeing patterns and willing to do things ever so differently.
“My friends would describe me as someone who has always been the first to try out stuff, to accomplish new things. Graduating, moving in with my partner, living abroad… I was always the first among my friends to make a move. I like to add my own experience to what I see people around me do, and then see if I can bend the rules ever so slightly.”
“For instance, after graduating with an economics degree, I decided to join a number of start-ups (in parking management and health insurance), rather than follow the corporate pathway like most of my class did. I wasn’t quite ready for my own business - but I also knew that I didn’t want to start my career in a context where I would basically be wasting time. A fast-moving start-up forces you to continue levelling up and challenge the status quo.”
“I’ve been very fortunate. I grew up in a stable family without having to face any major crises. My partner and I developed a strong desire to travel from a very young age - our parents had been expats too. Don’t underestimate the effect of our surroundings and the people we engage with. I try to consciously craft them to align with my values.”
Why Mauritius? “My girlfriend always knew she wanted to work in hospitality, and there are plenty of excellent hotels and resorts here. She’s actually the one who set things in motion. Before moving here, our main concern was that we might get lonesome or isolated. The contrary happened. We’ve found a supportive community of entrepreneurs and expats designing remote lifestyles. We do miss our family and friends, but we are surrounded by people like us.”
LIFE’S LESSONS:
Even though I love experiments, I’m also quite risk-averse. So I make sure to surround myself with people who will encourage me to keep trying new things - and not to give up when the going gets tough. The people I surround myself with are more important than what I tell myself.
I’ll always invest in experiences. Instead of buying a Gucci bag, invest in memories that last a lifetime. Same thing when buying gifts - I prefer to give (and receive) experiences instead of objects.
People who have travelled always stand out. They tend to be more curious, more willing to experiment, more engaged, and more invested in connecting across cultures and backgrounds.
It’s worthwhile to explore what ‘common sense’ would tell you to do. Try to figure out what it is that your surroundings expect from you - and then to feel how you relate to those ideas. Are they really right for you? I like to know the advice, but I don’t necessarily follow it.
My definition of success: not having to worry and not wanting more.
WHAT HE WOULD TELL HIS YOUNGER SELF:
Start a side project, as soon as you can. Find something you enjoy doing, and invest in that. It could be singing, drawing, or volunteer work. Maybe you could even try to make some money from it. Whatever you do, you’ll learn lessons that will last a lifetime and you’ll do something you can be proud of.
I wasted so much time during my studies - hanging out, partying, sleeping in. Imagine the things you could build with just one hour a day of deliberate effort.
Feeling useless is terrible. Make yourself useful, make someone’s life better. Find a purpose and make a difference you can be proud of.
SHORTCUTS TO A BETTER LIFE:
Spend more time in natural light. An unexpected side-effect of moving to Mauritius: the boost in well-being from spending time outside.
Take the time to get bored. Go on walks, without phone or company, and just let your thoughts wander. You’ll always return with a good idea or insight.
If you are a business owner, invest in establishing yourself as a thought leader. The best sales strategy: showing up consistently and showing that you’re still around.
If you have a desk job: set an alarm and get moving for a couple of minutes every hour. Take a walk around the block, do some push-ups or situps. It keeps you fresh and focused. And it’s good for you.
When booking hotels, go for the smaller ones (20-30 rooms). There you’ll represent 5% of their customer base - instead of 0.5 % in the large chains. They will genuinely care about your satisfaction. And you’ll actually get to meet other travellers and bond with them.
I start a lot of books but only finish some, like The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, by Mark Manson. Finding something meaningful in your life is the best use of your time and energy. Figure out what you care about, then care deeply.
(If you haven’t read the book and are short on time, here’s an excellent summary by James Clear.)
CLOSING THOUGHTS (FROM KRIS)
Moving to an island paradise is not a shortcut to happiness.
(Believe me, I’ve tried it - Vanuatu in my case.)
The sooner you stop wanting to be somewhere / some one else, the more you can enjoy being wherever / whoever you are.
The sooner you accept that you are not like most others, the easier it will be to find people like you.
As outlined in Mark Manson’s book:
Pursuing something only reinforces the feeling that you lack it in the first place.
Accepting your experience of life as being great and wonderful is the single greatest thing you can do for your happiness.
In other words, you don’t need to move to Mauritius.
But in case you do, know that you’ll have at least one person who’ll gladly show you around. You can connect with Alexandre on LinkedIn.