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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 living abroad always felt out of reach.
I made several attempts: I studied Spanish in Spain at 21, taught English there at 26, and even went back to get my master’s degree at 29. However, each time my story came to the same, seemingly inevitable conclusion: I returned 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 all pushed me toward a more traditional path: climbing the career ladder and judging my worth by title and salary. I tried my best, but I never found satisfaction in trying to fit into that box.
At 35, without a clear plan, I quit my other job and packed my bags. It felt like the last shot at fulfilling a lifelong dream. Doubts loomed: Was I too old? And if it didn’t work out?
As I settled into my new life in Spainsomething has shifted. Outside of the 9 to 5 game, I discovered creativity and clarity. I got new interests and after a year and a half I started She clicked the refresh button.which allows women aged 30+ to change their lives by moving abroad.
Almost ten years later, I have a thriving 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 my old identity and start anew
At home, I internalized labels like “marketer” and “job,” shaped by the belief that success meant following the conventional path. When I moved, I left behind societal 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 a transformation.
In Madrid, Spain.
Courtesy of Cepee Tabibian
The anonymity created a space to figure out who I wanted to become. I explored my interests that I never thought about, such as blogging, public speaking and organizing events in Madrid to help me find my people. These events allowed me to gain skills that will help me build my community business.
In Spain, I could imagine a life that was wider, bolder and more in line with my true self. I got freedom redefine yourself.
A lower cost of living made it easier to take risks
My cost of living has dropped significantly in Spain. 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 single mortgage in the US
In Spain, I could imagine a life that was wider, bolder and more in line with my true self.
this financial freedom allowed me to take risks that were not possible before – for example become a freelancerengaging in creative projects, and the turning point of my career. With lower rent, affordable health care, and more disposable income, I had the opportunity to invest in myself and the courage to dream bigger and to take risks.
Although prices have risen significantly and my lifestyle has changed since I moved here in 2015, living is still incredibly affordable for Americans with foreign earnings.
There was more free time for personal growth
Life in Spain had a gentler rhythm that I quickly adopted. Dinners turned into long, drawn-out conversations, and spontaneous get-togethers replaced the over-scheduled social calendars I was used to. Weekends weren’t for running errands—they were for relaxing, including a late night with a lazy morning ahead.
Z slow pace of life and lower cost of living, I found that the work day is shorter, there are fewer responsibilities and more energy left at the end of the day. For the first time in years, I had space to breathe and think.
In Madrid, Spain.
Courtesy of Cepee Tabibian
This downtime 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 am I worried about? 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 conducted a (brief) experiment in preparing vegetarian food in my kitchen. I built an online community for digital creatives, which led to a year-long paid partnership with Facebook. And I eventually started his 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 defining moment ten years ago when I took the leap and moved to Spain permanently.
A woman who left the United States doubted her ability to build the life she dreamed of. But by starting over, I found not just a new place to live, but a new one the way to live
I rebuilt my career, discovered new passions, and cultivated a sense of well-being that was unattainable in America.
Sepi Tabibian is the founder She clicked the refresh button.a community and resource platform that helps women aged 30+ move abroad, and the author of “I’m out of here! The Ultimate Guide to American Visas for Living in Europe.” The daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Seppi grew up in Houston, Texas before becoming an expat herself in Spain.
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