Mara van der Rol, who will turn 25 on July 30, reflects on her family, career aspirations, and her perspective as a Gen Z’er in a recent interview. Living in Leeuwarden, she shares insights into her personal growth, her dreams for the future, and her concerns about the world.

Van der Rol’s family life has been shaped by her parents’ divorce when she was four. She primarily lived with her mother but maintains a close relationship with her father, who lives nearby with his wife and their two children. She considers her father’s children as her siblings, emphasizing the bond they share. Van der Rol acknowledges the occasional challenges of not living with her father’s family, but cherishes the connection she has with them. Her mother recently bought a house in the same neighborhood, marking a new chapter after selling the family home where Mara grew up.

Professionally, Van der Rol works in customer service for the insurer FBTO and recently launched her own clothing webshop. She dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur, drawing inspiration from her entrepreneurial family. While the webshop demands a lot of her time, she is determined to make it a success.

Looking ahead, Van der Rol envisions a future filled with travel and adventure. In seven years, she hopes to be living on the Spanish coast with her boyfriend and a child, running a successful webshop or pursuing another fulfilling venture. Inspired by her grandmother’s journey from the United States to the Netherlands, she has a strong desire to explore and discover new places.

Van der Rol identifies strongly with Gen Z, but also sees herself as a “boomer” due to her younger siblings. She acknowledges the challenges of balancing her online and offline life, expressing a desire to spend less time on her phone and more time engaging in real-world activities. She has become more of a homebody, enjoying movies and series on Netflix in her free time.

Reflecting on her personal growth, Van der Rol acknowledges that she used to be insecure but now embraces her sensitivity. She has learned to manage her ADD by writing down her thoughts and dreams, a practice that has even inspired viral content on TikTok.

Finally, Van der Rol shares her concerns about the state of the world, particularly poverty and social issues. She is proud of quitting smoking and looks forward to a future where she can make a positive impact, both personally and professionally.