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From the moment I arrived in the Netherlands at the age of 17, I knew that I wanted to move to another country. But mother dreaming of being overseas I always felt unapproachable.

I tried several times: learning Spanish in Spain when I was 21, teaching English there when I was 26, and even returning to do a master’s degree when I was 29. However, each time my story came to the same seemingly inevitable conclusion: I was going back home. the state of Texas to “find a real job.”

There were practical constraints, but the pressure to comply was less. Team, family, and my own internal expectations all pushed me to the traditional path: climb the corporate ladder and measure your worth by title and salary. I did everything, but I didn’t get the satisfaction of trying to get into the box.

At the age of 35, without a clear plan, I quit my job and packed my bags. It was like the last dream of my life. Doubt: Am I too old? What if it doesn’t work?

As I settled into my new life life in Spainsomething changed. Outside the confines of the 9-to-5 grind, I found art and meaning. I discovered new things, and in a year and a half I started He hit Refreshwhich empowers women aged 30+ to change their lives by moving abroad.

Almost ten years later, I have a successful businessfulfilling work, and a sense of identity that I struggled to find in the U.S. The new perspective I found in Spain was no accident – living overseas allowed me to rewrite my story.

I can throw away old information and start fresh

At home, I put labels like “market” and “job hopper,” based on the belief that success means following a common path. When I moved, I left behind the expectations, family pressures, and cultures that encouraged these roles.

In my new environment, I stopped feeling bound by labels that didn’t help me. It was revolutionary.

In Madrid, Spain.

Courtesy of Cepee Tabibian

The anonymity created an opportunity to discover who I wanted to be. I explored interests that I had never considered, such as starting a blog, public speaking, and organizing events in Madrid to help me find my people. These jobs helped me gain skills that would help me build my local business.

In Spain, I was able to imagine a life that was bigger, bolder, and more in line with my real life. I found freedom let me explain myself again.

The low cost of living made it easier to crash

In Spain, the cost of my life went down a lot. For example, when I first arrived, my rent was only 540 Euros (604 dollars at the time) and included electricity, Wi-Fi, and water, compared to $1,440 for my personal loan in the US.

In Spain, I could imagine a life that was bigger, bolder, and more in line with my real life.

This economic freedom he allowed me to take risks that would not have been possible before – like become a freelancerpursuit of the arts, and looking at my work. With low rent, affordable healthcare, and disposable income, I had the opportunity to invest in myself and the courage to dream big and taking risks.

Although prices have risen dramatically and my lifestyle has changed since I moved here in 2015, living is still affordable for Americans with foreign income.

There is plenty of free time for your growth

Life in Spain was very gentle which I quickly accepted. Dinners turned into long, friendly conversations, and random meetings replaced the social calendar I was used to. The weekend wasn’t about other things – it was about fun, including late nights and lazy mornings.

I am the slow pace of life with the lower cost of living, I found myself with shorter work hours, fewer responsibilities, and less energy left at the end of the day. For the first time in years, I had a chance to rest and reflect.

In Madrid, Spain.

Courtesy of Cepee Tabibian

This break became a catalyst for self-discovery. I began to ask myself questions that I had avoided for a long time: What do I really want? What makes me happy? What kind of life do I want to create?

I didn’t consider myself a talented person, but in Spain, I was full of motivation. I used this energy into interesting activities.

I tried (briefly) a vegetarian meal prep from my kitchen. I built an online and digital marketing team that led to a year-long paid contract with Facebook. And I finally I started my own business.

It changed the way I looked at life

Looking back, I can’t help but wonder how far I’ve come since that pivotal moment when I made the leap to Spain ten years ago.

A woman who left the US doubted that she could build the life she dreamed of. But at the new beginning, I did not find a new place to live, but a new one way to live.

I have rebuilt my career, found new passions, and developed a sense of self that was impossible to achieve in America.

Shut up Tabibian is the founder of He hit Refreshcommunity center and resources that help women 30+ go abroad, by the author “I’m out of here! The Ultimate Visa Guide for Americans Living in Europe.” As the daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Houston, Texas, before becoming an immigrant to Spain.

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