From the moment I set foot in the Netherlands at the age of 17, I knew I wanted to move abroad. But mine the dream of living abroad he always felt unattainable.
I tried several times: I studied Spanish in Spain at 21, taught English there at 26, and even returned to pursue a master’s degree at 29. Yet each time my story came to the same seemingly inevitable conclusion: I would return to my home state of Texas to “get a real job.”
There were practical obstacles, but the pressure to conform was just as limiting. Society, family, and my own internal expectations pushed me toward a more traditional path: climb the corporate ladder and measure your worth by title and salary. I tried my best, but I never found fulfillment trying to fit into that box.
At the age of 35, without a clear plan, I quit my second job and packed my bags. It felt like a last ditch effort to fulfill a lifelong dream. Doubts loomed: Was I too old? What if it didn’t work?
As I settled into my new life in Spainsomething moved. Outside the confines of the 9-to-5 grind, I found creativity and clarity. I discovered new interests and within a year and a half I was on my way She pressed Refreshwhich empowers women aged 30+ to transform their lives by going abroad.
Almost a decade later, I have successful businessa fulfilling career and a sense of identity that I struggled to find in the US. The fresh perspective I found in Spain was no accident — living abroad allowed me to rewrite my story.
I could shed old identities and start over
At home, I internalized labels like “marketing” and “job hopper,” shaped by the belief that success meant following a conventional path. When I moved, I left behind the societal expectations, family pressures, and cultural norms that reinforced these roles.
In the new environment, I no longer felt bound by labels that did not suit me. It was transformative.
In Madrid, Spain.
Courtesy of Cepea Tabibian
Anonymity created a space for me to figure out who I wanted to become. I explored interests I never thought of, like starting a blog, public speaking and organizing events in Madrid to help me find my people. These activities allowed me to acquire skills that will help me build my business in the community.
In Spain, I could imagine a life that was bigger, bolder and more in tune with my true self. I gained the freedom to redefine yourself.
The lower cost of living made it easier to take risks
In Spain, my cost of living has dropped significantly. When I first arrived, for example, my rent was just €540 ($604 at the time) and included electricity, Wi-Fi and water, compared to $1,440 for my US mortgage
In Spain, I could imagine a life that was bigger, bolder and more in tune with my true self.
This financial freedom it allowed me to take risks that would have been impossible before — like becomes a freelancerdealing with creative projects and turning my career around. With lower rent, affordable healthcare and more disposable income, I had the flexibility to invest in myself and the courage to dream bigger and bigger. to take risks.
Although prices have risen significantly and my lifestyle has evolved since I moved here in 2015, life is still incredibly affordable for Americans with foreign income.
There is more free time for personal development
Life in Spain had a gentler rhythm that I quickly accepted. Dinners turned into long, drawn-out conversations, and spontaneous meetings replaced the excessive social calendars I was used to. Weekends weren’t for getting work done – they were for leisure, including late nights out followed by lazy mornings.
with slower pace of life and lower cost of living, I found myself with shorter work hours, fewer responsibilities and more energy at the end of the day. For the first time in years, I had space to breathe and think.
In Madrid, Spain.
Courtesy of Cepea Tabibian
This disruption became the catalyst for self-discovery. I began to ask myself questions that 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 have never considered myself a creative person, but in Spain I was full of inspiration. I channeled that energy into exciting projects.
I conducted a (short) experiment of preparing a vegetarian meal outside of my kitchen. I created an online and in-person community for digital creatives that led to a one-year paid partnership with Facebook. Me too at the end started his own business.
It changed my whole outlook on life
Looking back, I can’t help but marvel at how far I’ve come since that pivotal moment ten years ago when I decided to move to Spain for good.
A 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 live.
I rebuilt my career, discovered new passions, and cultivated a sense of self that was impossible to access in America.
Cepee Tabibian is the founder She pressed Refresha community and resource platform helping women aged 30+ move abroad, and author of “I’m getting out of here! America’s Ultimate Guide to Visas for Living in Europe.” The daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Houston, Texas, before becoming an immigrant in Spain herself.
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