Nobel Prize candidate Stefan Hertmans struggled for years with performance anxiety: "I had to free myself"

Stefan Hertmans discusses overcoming his fear of failure in his new book 'Smeltwater en middagzon', which compiles ten years of personal journals. He reflects on his struggles with writing and the loneliness that comes with it, revealing that many of his earlier works did not succeed. Despite his literary accolades, he felt a disconnect between his achievements and personal experiences. The book explores themes of shame related to his upbringing and the journey towards self-acceptance. Hertmans emphasizes the universal nature of personal struggles and the power of literature to connect people through shared emotions.