It is completely normal to hit a motivation slump around B1, and many advanced learners have been exactly where you are. The key is to shift from focusing on grammar drills to connecting with the language in ways that feel personally meaningful, and to accept that plateaus are part of the process.
A common thread among successful learners is that they found a reason to use Dutch that went beyond studying. For some, it was joining a local hobby club (like a running group or a board game night) where only Dutch was spoken. Others started watching Dutch TV shows with Dutch subtitles, even if they only understood half at first. The point is to make Dutch a tool for something you already enjoy, not just a subject to master.
One honest tradeoff: the beginner stage feels like fast progress, but B1 is where you need to build real stamina. You will likely feel stuck for weeks or months. That is not a sign of failure, it is your brain reorganizing all the new patterns. Many advanced learners say they broke through by doing "imperfect practice", speaking or writing badly on purpose, without correcting every mistake. This builds fluency faster than waiting until you feel ready.
Concrete next steps: First, set a tiny daily habit that takes less than 10 minutes, like reading one news headline on NOS or listening to a short podcast episode from "Echt Gebeurd" (real stories). Second, find a language partner on a free platform like Tandem or HelloTalk, but agree to talk only about your hobbies, not about grammar. Third, give yourself permission to take a break for a few days if needed, motivation often returns when you stop forcing it.
Finally, remember that many people who now speak Dutch fluently once felt exactly like you do. They kept going not because they were always motivated, but because they built small, consistent routines. You can do the same. Veel succes!