I'm based in Rome, and my family has a little house in the countryside near Orvieto, so all the Italy talk felt very familiar. I also have friends who left the safety of Germany to buy an apartment on Lake Iseo and start a completely new chapter.
What really resonated with me, though, was the idea of building dreams before you're fully ready. My family and I are moving to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this summer, and if I waited until I felt completely ready, I might never go.
Italy is a dream destination for so many people, but as a half-Italian entrepreneur, I've learned that the grass is always greener somewhere else. We are a very international family with American, German, Brazilian, and Italian roots, and I think that changes your perspective on what "home" means.
If you ever need Italy tips, feel free to reach out. 😊
Wishing you lots of espresso, inspiration, and maybe a little Italian magic on your scouting trip.
Thank you also for your well wishes for my Italy trip. I’m sure I’ll be writing about it here. Espresso and cafes are definitely a part of the plan! 🤗🙌
rings true with so many major Mom’ing moments!! And this deep need to wish & wonder, and to ponder what life will be like for you too when she flies off to her next chapter that you worked so hard, (you mom’d so hard) to help her build.
For those of us with other kids after the first, it’s still intensely heart-felt with each child, but you also have no choice but to go on with the next child (the next chapter) who needs you just as much, to sort of do it all over again. But with an only it must be that much more pronounced and life-changing, in a chapter-ending kinda way. I feel for this! I had Neil to distract me when Emily went off to college. And I realize some moms have multiple kids to keep helping & to keep going, so it must feel never-ending Mom’ing. So I feel like we are lucky in a way to just have one or two children bc maybe we feel it even harder, and we experience it at a greater depth. I think that is cool. But also … one thing you don’t realize at this part of the journey, is that the Mom’ing and them needing you never really ends.
Whether this stage is a drip method or a rip method (rip the bandaid approach), you’re never ready. And what feels scary is really just the idea of freedom for both sides.
But it doesn’t push you back to your old self or your “90’s self”, it pushes you towards your new self, your 2027+ self … and that is the coolest part of all.
“There is a wild freedom in the miraculous known and unknown of what comes next”.
My paper-planned life is in Scotland (although I like Australia, it's just too hot for long term stay where I want to be).
I've also done the property research, health and visa search. We have Scottish heritage and family there so transition would be fairly easy.
BUT, other than stays up to six months, a permanent move is not likely going to happen. Any longer than six months, healthcare, pensions, and government subsidies are eliminated.
I loved this piece.
I'm based in Rome, and my family has a little house in the countryside near Orvieto, so all the Italy talk felt very familiar. I also have friends who left the safety of Germany to buy an apartment on Lake Iseo and start a completely new chapter.
What really resonated with me, though, was the idea of building dreams before you're fully ready. My family and I are moving to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this summer, and if I waited until I felt completely ready, I might never go.
Italy is a dream destination for so many people, but as a half-Italian entrepreneur, I've learned that the grass is always greener somewhere else. We are a very international family with American, German, Brazilian, and Italian roots, and I think that changes your perspective on what "home" means.
If you ever need Italy tips, feel free to reach out. 😊
Wishing you lots of espresso, inspiration, and maybe a little Italian magic on your scouting trip.
Thanks, Teresa! A little family house in the Italian countryside sounds dreamy!
If I may be so bold…I’d love to connect you with my Substack friend Cat Gaa.
https://substack.com/@catinksa
Thank you also for your well wishes for my Italy trip. I’m sure I’ll be writing about it here. Espresso and cafes are definitely a part of the plan! 🤗🙌
Have fun with the Scheckigi!
“I’m not ready”
rings true with so many major Mom’ing moments!! And this deep need to wish & wonder, and to ponder what life will be like for you too when she flies off to her next chapter that you worked so hard, (you mom’d so hard) to help her build.
For those of us with other kids after the first, it’s still intensely heart-felt with each child, but you also have no choice but to go on with the next child (the next chapter) who needs you just as much, to sort of do it all over again. But with an only it must be that much more pronounced and life-changing, in a chapter-ending kinda way. I feel for this! I had Neil to distract me when Emily went off to college. And I realize some moms have multiple kids to keep helping & to keep going, so it must feel never-ending Mom’ing. So I feel like we are lucky in a way to just have one or two children bc maybe we feel it even harder, and we experience it at a greater depth. I think that is cool. But also … one thing you don’t realize at this part of the journey, is that the Mom’ing and them needing you never really ends.
Whether this stage is a drip method or a rip method (rip the bandaid approach), you’re never ready. And what feels scary is really just the idea of freedom for both sides.
But it doesn’t push you back to your old self or your “90’s self”, it pushes you towards your new self, your 2027+ self … and that is the coolest part of all.
“There is a wild freedom in the miraculous known and unknown of what comes next”.
Haha 😃, I actually sat up to settle down and read this.
Aww. Thanks, Chinedu. Do you have any international slow travel dreams? I'm a sucker for a photo of a lap top working from a beautiful view.
Love this!
My paper-planned life is in Scotland (although I like Australia, it's just too hot for long term stay where I want to be).
I've also done the property research, health and visa search. We have Scottish heritage and family there so transition would be fairly easy.
BUT, other than stays up to six months, a permanent move is not likely going to happen. Any longer than six months, healthcare, pensions, and government subsidies are eliminated.
But it sure is nice to dream.