A 44-year-old who relocated from the U.S. to Spain reports experiencing "longer work hours" and "less energy."

Since my first visit to the Netherlands at age 17, I have been determined to live abroad. However, my dream of international relocation has always remained elusive.

Despite my efforts to study Spanish in Spain, teach English there, and even pursue a master's degree, I always found myself returning to Texas to "get a real job."

Although there were practical challenges, the pressure to conform was equally restrictive. Society, family, and my own internal pressures all urged me to follow a more traditional route: climbing the corporate ladder and evaluating my worth based on title and salary. Despite my best efforts, I never experienced satisfaction while attempting to fit into that mold.

At 35, I left my job without a clear plan, feeling like it was my final chance to pursue my lifelong dream. My doubts weighed heavily on me: was I too old to succeed? Would my efforts be in vain?

As I settled into my new life in Spain, I discovered a newfound sense of creativity and clarity. Stepping outside the constraints of a traditional 9-to-5 workday, I began to explore new interests and passions. Within a year and a half, I launched She Hit Refresh, a platform that empowers women aged 30+ to transform their lives by embracing the opportunities of living abroad.

A decade has passed since I left the U.S., and now I have a successful business, a rewarding career, and a clear sense of self. My time in Spain wasn't by chance; living abroad helped me reimagine my life.

I could shed old identities and start fresh

I internalized labels like "marketer" and "job hopper" at home, believing that success meant following a conventional path. However, when I moved, I left behind societal expectations, family pressures, and cultural norms that reinforced these roles.

In my new surroundings, I no longer felt restricted by labels that didn't suit me. It was transformative.

Exploring new interests allowed me to discover my passions and develop skills that would help me establish a community-based business.

In Spain, I could envision a life that was more vibrant, courageous, and in line with my authentic self. I gained the liberty to redefine myself.

The lower cost of living made it easier to take risks

In the U.S., my cost of living was significantly higher than in Spain. For instance, my rent in Spain was only 540 Euro ($604) and included utilities, while my mortgage in the U.S. cost $1,440 alone.

Lower rent, affordable healthcare, and more disposable income gave me the flexibility to invest in myself and the courage to dream bigger and take risks, which allowed me to pursue creative projects and become a freelancer.

Despite the substantial rise in prices and changes in my lifestyle since my arrival in 2015, life remains affordable for Americans earning foreign income.

There's more free time for personal growth

I quickly embraced the gentler rhythm of life in Spain, where dinners became long, lingering conversations and spontaneous meetups replaced my overscheduled social calendars. Weekends were for leisure, including late nights out followed by lazy mornings.

I discovered that with the slower pace of life and lower cost of living, I had shorter work hours, fewer obligations, and more energy left at the end of the day. This allowed me to have space to breathe and reflect for the first time in years.

Self-discovery was sparked by this downtime. I started asking myself questions I'd previously avoided: What truly motivates me? What brings me joy? What kind of life do I desire to build?

Although I never thought of myself as a creative person, I was filled with inspiration in Spain and used that energy to produce thrilling projects.

I experimented with vegetarian meal-prep, created an online and in-person community for digital creatives, and eventually launched my own business.

It changed my entire outlook on life

Since moving to Spain a decade ago, I have come a long way and can't help but be amazed at my progress when looking back.

Although the woman who departed from the U.S. questioned her capacity to achieve her desired life, she discovered a new beginning that offered more than just a new residence; it presented a new approach to living.

I have reconstructed my career, unearthed new interests, and developed a self-awareness that was unattainable in the United States.

Cepee Tabibian is the founder of She Hit Refresh, a platform that assists women aged 30+ in relocating abroad, and the author of "I'm Outta Here! An American's Comprehensive Guide to Living in Europe." As the child of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee was raised in Houston, Texas, before moving to Spain herself.

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