In 2017 we sold everything and moved from Virginia to Germany. I never want to live in the US again! I am writing about adventure and being creative. So, I loved your layout and specific attention to drastic life change. I'm reassessing what I'm sharing 😁.
Finally catching up and just love this, Kristi! I hope more people do this, your idea is brilliant (as usual).
I just “snuck” away this weekend for our long weekend and didn’t tell any clients.
Left Vegas Friday morning - got on a ship 🚢 - unpacked, hung out on our FABULOUS balcony (back of ship room AMAZING!) did a bit of work - then out to dinner and casino. Saturday took a city tour and wine and tequila tasting - a little more work while on the bus - dinner + casino and piano bar. Sunday all day at pool - snacks - at sea - reading - a bit of work/writing. Monday return and drive home - make sure all things caught up and scheduled.💥
This is me easing into my worktirement. I love it!! 😍 🦋
Great piece, Kristi! For anyone on the fence, I highly recommend ditching the Great White North for Southeast Asia. I ditched all my stuff and came here 7 years ago. Finally settled down in rural Thailand. I'm 71 and feel like it's scrubbed years off my life!
I have a friend @Vivian who writes the Substack, ExPat Diaries leaving home finding home and she has been doing this for about a year now and STRUGGLING to find people who want to be interviewed. Vivian herself lives in Portugal from New York I believe, where she was a lawyer.
Deanna Thomas just mentioned the same person in her comment. I wonder why she's struggling? There are Facebook groups with tens of thousands of expats participating.
Well this is intriguing. I want to buy a motor home and spend a couple years seeing the North American continent, once hubby and I are both 62 and done with day jobs. He’s not fully convinced but I have 2 years to prepare and to write about it.
This sounds like The Expat Diaries by Vivian here on Substack, Kristi! I was interviewed for her publication last year. You can check out her about page here: https://theexpatdiaries.substack.com/about
One of the strangest things about being on *this* side of 65 is realizing that starting something new looks very different than moves I’ve made in the past. Leaving full time parenthood to work in then own a plant nursery. 15+ years later closing said nursery “to write”. Only owning a nursery makes this move look like a good financial decision. 😳 now it’s been another chunk of time, several books, editing a small magazine, and a regular newspaper column and I’m itching to draw in further. I will always write my stories — which is the only way I know how to process them but the hustle is exhausting. Deadlines are relentless (even Substack deadlines — once an editor always an editor). I dream of a getaway to handwork: planting, crafting — I just finished my red resistance hat! — cooking, puzzles… fewer screens, less calendar focus — quiet. However I still need to make a regular income, well if not regular at least income. I don’t regret my previous decisions that for the most part precluded “time off” or stopping. I just want to catch my breath for whatever comes next. This comment/essay is a good start. Thanks for listening.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lorene! Sometimes, all we need to do is say them out loud so they can come into existence. It's funny, I've thought about relocation now versus when I did it in my 30s and 40s, and now in my 50s, I think about whether there would be access to good healthcare and a pharmacy 😁 I have no idea what's coming next for me but I'm here and starting with this magazine!
A year ago I left my home in Turin, Italy, bought a camper van, and now I’m traveling around Europe on my own with my dog. It’s been the best decision of my life. I meet so many new people, reconnect with longtime friends I hadn’t seen for years because of distance, attend events, and explore incredible places.
Many people tell me I was, and still am, brave. But honestly, I don’t think it’s about courage. I simply followed my need to truly live.
Elisa, I LOVE this so much for you!! This has been a longtime dream of mine to explore Canada this way, with my dog. It must take immense planning to do something like this, hey? How wonderful!!
Here in Canada, I don’t think a camper can be fully functional in the extreme cold temps so I would still need to have home bases for at least 6 months of the year. But it is still something I’ve been wanting to do!
Oh, it’s so lovely to read this message, thank you so much.
Yes, there’s quite a bit of planning behind it, I won’t lie, but at the same time I’m learning many things along the way. It’s a mix of organization and adaptability, and maybe that’s exactly what makes it all feel so alive.
The idea of exploring Canada like that, with your dog, is wonderful. I can only imagine how breathtaking it must be. And yes, the cold there is a whole different story, so having home bases for part of the year sounds super sensible to me. It doesn’t take away from the magic of the experience, if anything, it probably makes it even more sustainable.
Great concept Kristi! Back in 1997, I quit my job, packed up my three little ones and moved cross country to Colorado. Four years after that I quit another job to start my speaking, training and coaching business. It gave me the freedom to do work I loved (and was good at), be available for my kids and travel the world for speaking and training gigs. It wasn’t easy, but it was life changing!
Laura, that's so fantastic. I LOVE these kinds of stories, and I'm envious of the Colorado move. The Everwood series I'm currently binging is set in Colorado and it looks gorgeous 😍 I have a dear friend who lives in Durango but have not been able to go visit yet, but it's on my list.
We just finished watching Everwood and really enjoyed it! It is pretty here and Durango is a lovely area. Glad you enjoyed the tale of our travels and small business start up. I am still at it!
"Start a publication devoted entirely to stories of people who left their old lives behind and built new ones somewhere else."
This might also include historical accounts, as it was much easier in older times to foresake identities in one place in the world to forge a new one in another.
I am just finishing my story of selling up in the city and buying an old farm because I thought Climate Collapse was nigh. 20 years ago we sold our two businesses , left family, friends and our corporate life styles to become a woodsman and gardener. This dramatic change and the ones that followed have prepared us well for these uncertain times.
I will be publishing next week and I look forward to seeing if this does resonate and inspire people !
Thanks for the inspiration and your generosity to even suggest names.
Susan, sounds like a wonderful journey you've been on over the years! What a complete flip, but you're right...something appropriate for getting through nowadays.
I'm going to watch for your post next week, or send me the link when it is published because im always looking to feature and share other "homebody-ish" content!
In 2017 we sold everything and moved from Virginia to Germany. I never want to live in the US again! I am writing about adventure and being creative. So, I loved your layout and specific attention to drastic life change. I'm reassessing what I'm sharing 😁.
What an incredible story and big move, Rachael! Good for you!
I’m getting ready to run. To a special beach I’ve been visiting for a long time.
Thanks for the encouragement !
Amazing!!! I wish you the best journey ever!!!
I follow people here on Stack that have or are currently doing the ‘sell it all and move’ thing. I’m one of them also Club Runaway:Costa Rica
I love all the names you came up with and a Substack ‘hub’ for this is a fun idea for sure.
I thought of you as I wrote this. 😁
Finally catching up and just love this, Kristi! I hope more people do this, your idea is brilliant (as usual).
I just “snuck” away this weekend for our long weekend and didn’t tell any clients.
Left Vegas Friday morning - got on a ship 🚢 - unpacked, hung out on our FABULOUS balcony (back of ship room AMAZING!) did a bit of work - then out to dinner and casino. Saturday took a city tour and wine and tequila tasting - a little more work while on the bus - dinner + casino and piano bar. Sunday all day at pool - snacks - at sea - reading - a bit of work/writing. Monday return and drive home - make sure all things caught up and scheduled.💥
This is me easing into my worktirement. I love it!! 😍 🦋
No way!!! Good for you 👏👏👏 Sounds like you had a wonderful time away! I fully support sneaking away 😁
Great piece, Kristi! For anyone on the fence, I highly recommend ditching the Great White North for Southeast Asia. I ditched all my stuff and came here 7 years ago. Finally settled down in rural Thailand. I'm 71 and feel like it's scrubbed years off my life!
Shaving years off is something I'd like to do lol. All the aches and pains of being here in winter 😩 I will probably try to flee again in a few years.
Love this - want to do it! lol
I have a friend @Vivian who writes the Substack, ExPat Diaries leaving home finding home and she has been doing this for about a year now and STRUGGLING to find people who want to be interviewed. Vivian herself lives in Portugal from New York I believe, where she was a lawyer.
Deanna Thomas just mentioned the same person in her comment. I wonder why she's struggling? There are Facebook groups with tens of thousands of expats participating.
Maybe because they're on FB and not Substack? 🤷🏽♀️
I don't think I'd ever rely 100% on Substack to find guest writers. It's a big world out there!
Well this is intriguing. I want to buy a motor home and spend a couple years seeing the North American continent, once hubby and I are both 62 and done with day jobs. He’s not fully convinced but I have 2 years to prepare and to write about it.
That sounds fabulous!!
I wanna do this.
I’ve been toying with collecting these stories for years. Maybe seeing this was that kick in the bottom I need. Thanks, girl!
Well, considering I can’t decide on a name that feels quite right, despite thinking about it for two hours yesterday, I might not be getting far. 😂😂
My pleasure!! I hope you do!
I could easily do the runaway to parts unknown aspect of this idea! But part two of turning it into a liveable income sounds exhausting 🤪🤣
Lol Teyani 🤣🤣 Some days, literally everything sounds exhausting!
This sounds like The Expat Diaries by Vivian here on Substack, Kristi! I was interviewed for her publication last year. You can check out her about page here: https://theexpatdiaries.substack.com/about
That's awesome! I'll go check it out!
I'm glad to hear that someone is doing a similar project 😊 And there's room for plenty more!
One of the strangest things about being on *this* side of 65 is realizing that starting something new looks very different than moves I’ve made in the past. Leaving full time parenthood to work in then own a plant nursery. 15+ years later closing said nursery “to write”. Only owning a nursery makes this move look like a good financial decision. 😳 now it’s been another chunk of time, several books, editing a small magazine, and a regular newspaper column and I’m itching to draw in further. I will always write my stories — which is the only way I know how to process them but the hustle is exhausting. Deadlines are relentless (even Substack deadlines — once an editor always an editor). I dream of a getaway to handwork: planting, crafting — I just finished my red resistance hat! — cooking, puzzles… fewer screens, less calendar focus — quiet. However I still need to make a regular income, well if not regular at least income. I don’t regret my previous decisions that for the most part precluded “time off” or stopping. I just want to catch my breath for whatever comes next. This comment/essay is a good start. Thanks for listening.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Lorene! Sometimes, all we need to do is say them out loud so they can come into existence. It's funny, I've thought about relocation now versus when I did it in my 30s and 40s, and now in my 50s, I think about whether there would be access to good healthcare and a pharmacy 😁 I have no idea what's coming next for me but I'm here and starting with this magazine!
None of us really know what’s coming — not even those with a fat savings account and 401K.
What you wrote is so true.
A year ago I left my home in Turin, Italy, bought a camper van, and now I’m traveling around Europe on my own with my dog. It’s been the best decision of my life. I meet so many new people, reconnect with longtime friends I hadn’t seen for years because of distance, attend events, and explore incredible places.
Many people tell me I was, and still am, brave. But honestly, I don’t think it’s about courage. I simply followed my need to truly live.
Elisa, I LOVE this so much for you!! This has been a longtime dream of mine to explore Canada this way, with my dog. It must take immense planning to do something like this, hey? How wonderful!!
Here in Canada, I don’t think a camper can be fully functional in the extreme cold temps so I would still need to have home bases for at least 6 months of the year. But it is still something I’ve been wanting to do!
Oh, it’s so lovely to read this message, thank you so much.
Yes, there’s quite a bit of planning behind it, I won’t lie, but at the same time I’m learning many things along the way. It’s a mix of organization and adaptability, and maybe that’s exactly what makes it all feel so alive.
The idea of exploring Canada like that, with your dog, is wonderful. I can only imagine how breathtaking it must be. And yes, the cold there is a whole different story, so having home bases for part of the year sounds super sensible to me. It doesn’t take away from the magic of the experience, if anything, it probably makes it even more sustainable.
Great concept Kristi! Back in 1997, I quit my job, packed up my three little ones and moved cross country to Colorado. Four years after that I quit another job to start my speaking, training and coaching business. It gave me the freedom to do work I loved (and was good at), be available for my kids and travel the world for speaking and training gigs. It wasn’t easy, but it was life changing!
Laura, that's so fantastic. I LOVE these kinds of stories, and I'm envious of the Colorado move. The Everwood series I'm currently binging is set in Colorado and it looks gorgeous 😍 I have a dear friend who lives in Durango but have not been able to go visit yet, but it's on my list.
We just finished watching Everwood and really enjoyed it! It is pretty here and Durango is a lovely area. Glad you enjoyed the tale of our travels and small business start up. I am still at it!
"Start a publication devoted entirely to stories of people who left their old lives behind and built new ones somewhere else."
This might also include historical accounts, as it was much easier in older times to foresake identities in one place in the world to forge a new one in another.
That's a great angle for those who like to dig into research.
It would give some to depth to the topic beyond contemporary concerns.
I am just finishing my story of selling up in the city and buying an old farm because I thought Climate Collapse was nigh. 20 years ago we sold our two businesses , left family, friends and our corporate life styles to become a woodsman and gardener. This dramatic change and the ones that followed have prepared us well for these uncertain times.
I will be publishing next week and I look forward to seeing if this does resonate and inspire people !
Thanks for the inspiration and your generosity to even suggest names.
Susan, sounds like a wonderful journey you've been on over the years! What a complete flip, but you're right...something appropriate for getting through nowadays.
I'm going to watch for your post next week, or send me the link when it is published because im always looking to feature and share other "homebody-ish" content!
That is again so generous and encouraging of you Kristi , thank you.
I will send you the link after I publish 🙏🏻
Hi Kristi, I have just published the post about my complete life change as mentioned. It may not fit your 'remit' and I could make some changes . Anyway let me know , all feedback is welcomed and thank you again for your encouragement.https://courageousconversation.substack.com/p/ive-been-preparing-for-our-world?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web