From the moment I set foot in the Netherlands at the age of 17, I knew I wanted to move abroad. But mine dream of life abroad It always felt out of reach.
I made several attempts: at the age of 21 I studied Spanish in Spain, at the age of 26 I taught English there, and at the age of 29 I even went back to study for a master's degree. Yet each time, my story ended with the same, seemingly inevitable conclusion: I would go home. state of Texas “find a real job.”
There were practical obstacles, but the pressure to adapt was equally limited. Society, family, and my own internal expectations pushed me down a more traditional path: climb the corporate ladder and measure my worth by my job title and salary. I gave it my all, but I never found fulfillment trying to fit into that box.
At the age of 35, without a clear plan, I quit my other job and packed my bags. It seemed to me that this was my last chance to fulfill a lifelong dream. Doubts arose: Was I too old? What if it didn't work out?
Once I settled into my new one life in Spainsomething has changed. Outside the confines of a 9-to-5 job, I discovered creativity and clarity. I discovered new interests and after a year and a half I started She pressed refreshwhich enables women over 30 to change their lives by going abroad.
Almost a decade later, I have a thriving businessa fulfilling career and sense of identity that I fought for in the US. The fresh perspective I found in Spain was no accident – living abroad allowed me to rewrite my story.
I could abandon my old identity and start over
At home, I internalized labels like “marketer” and “job hopper,” shaped by the belief that success meant following a conventional path. When I moved, I left behind the social expectations, family pressures, and cultural norms that reinforced these roles.
In my new environment, I no longer felt bound by labels that didn't work for me. It was transformative.
In Madrid, Spain.
Courtesy of Cepee Tabibian
Anonymity created a space where I could figure out who I wanted to become. I discovered interests I never thought about, such as starting a blog, giving public speaking and organizing events in Madrid, which helped me find my people. Thanks to these activities, I gained skills that helped me build a social business.
In Spain, I could imagine a life that was bigger, bolder, and more true to my true self. I gained freedom define yourself anew.
Lower costs of living made it easier to take risks
In Spain, my cost of living has dropped significantly. For example, when I first arrived, my rent was just €540 ($604 at the time) and included electricity, Wi-Fi and water, compared to $1,440 for a mortgage alone in the US
In Spain, I could imagine a life that was bigger, bolder, and more true to my true self.
This financial freedom allowed me to take risks that would have been impossible before – e.g become a freelancerimplementing creative projects and turning my career around. With lower rent, affordable health care, and more disposable income, I had the freedom to invest in myself and the courage to dream bigger take risks.
Although prices have increased significantly and my lifestyle has evolved since I moved here in 2015, life is still extremely affordable for Americans with foreign income.
There is more free time for personal development
Life in Spain had a calmer rhythm, which I quickly adopted. Dinners turned into long, drawn-out conversations, and spontaneous get-togethers replaced the packed social calendars I was accustomed to. Weekends weren't for running errands – they were for rest, including late nights followed by lazy mornings.
WITH slower pace of life and lower costs of living, I had shorter working hours, fewer responsibilities and more energy at the end of the day. For the first time in years, I had space to breathe and reflect.
In Madrid, Spain.
Courtesy of Cepee Tabibian
This downtime became a catalyst for self-discovery. I started asking myself questions I had been avoiding for a long time: What do I really want? What excites me? What kind of life do I want to create?
I never considered myself a creative person, but in Spain I was full of inspiration. I channeled that energy into exciting projects.
I did a (brief) vegetarian experiment in food preparation outside of my kitchen. I created an online and personal community for digital creators, which led to a one-year paid partnership with Facebook. And finally I did I started my own business.
It changed my whole outlook on life
Looking back, I can't help but be amazed at how far I've come since that pivotal moment when I made the decision to move to Spain for good ten years ago.
The woman who left the US doubted her ability to build the life she dreamed of. But starting over, I found not only a new place to live, but a new one way lives.
I rebuilt my career, discovered new passions, and cultivated a sense of self that was unavailable in America.
Cepee Tabibian is the founder She pressed refresha social media and resource platform that helps women aged 30+ go abroad, and the author of the book “I'm from here! American's complete guide to visas for living in EuropeThe daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Houston, Texas before becoming an immigrant herself in Spain.
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