Beginning Again.

Life looked fine on paper—career, city, comfort. But something was missing. (San Francisco’s Financial District from my office desk, 2023.)

Spain Plants a Seed

And then a two-week vacation in Spain and Portugal turned my world upside down and made me question all of it. A seed was planted on that trip—not just that I wanted to move to Spain, but that I wanted a different way of living. To create a life centered on travel, creativity, and freedom.

I wandered through each new city, starting with the large, lively urban ones that reminded me of home, and then into smaller towns where life slowed down: families and friends lingering late over wine and tapas, strolling together through plazas on the evening paseo. I fell in love with it all—and didn’t want to leave. A part of me knew then—this was where I belonged. This felt more like the life I wanted: lingering, simple, warm. It wasn’t only about a new address; it was about reshaping how I lived—built around travel, creativity, and connection.

The Unraveling

As the remaining months of 2023 went by, I felt myself changing, losing interest in the life I had so carefully cultivated over those 20 years. I went to work and did what was expected, but the extra effort I was once known for—the long hours, the relentless problem-solving, the constant 110%—was slipping away.

I was bored. Unchallenged. And worse, I felt as if I had hit a ceiling in my career and was simply settling, something I swore I’d never do. The drive that once defined me was gone, and I felt like a robot. It wasn’t just that I needed a new job or even a new place to live—I needed a new way of living.

To counteract the stress, I began taking long walks, runs, and hikes after work and on weekends. I rediscovered the world-renowned beauty of San Francisco in my own backyard, taking photographs and sharing them online. A dormant creative outlet—photography—suddenly reawakened.

When I was outside—in nature, at the beach, smelling the forest, watching a sunset—I felt alive. Calm. Peaceful. A simple life. I had found a purpose. And there was that persistent pull... I wanted to move to Spain. I didn’t just need a change of scenery—I needed a different life altogether.

By the end of 2023, I realized I was waking up to something bigger than Spain itself. That year became my awakening—the moment I began questioning everything I thought I wanted, and noticing the quiet pull toward a different life. Little did I know how soon that awakening would be tested.

The Universe Steps In

Fortunately—or unfortunately—the Universe stepped in, and I unexpectedly lost my job. For the first time in 20 years, I was unemployed. My instant panic of oh my god, how am I going to replace this salary? quickly shifted into a deeper realization: I can finally start building the life I’d been dreaming of.

Moving to Spain was part of it, but the bigger picture was clear—I needed to shape a life centered on travel, creativity, and storytelling. Instead of fear, I felt freedom. A huge exhale. That told me a lot. For the first time, I could imagine creating space for what mattered to me: slow, immersive travel, photography, writing—and breathing.

I went through the motions—career coach, resume updates, interviews. I even got a great offer, but it was clear: the safe job meant more of the same, and I couldn’t go back.

For a few months, I focused on remote-only jobs that allowed international living. I interviewed for a great opportunity, but then realized I was still playing by old rules: stability over passion.

I finally understood: true happiness for me would not be found sitting behind a computer screen, even with an amazing salary, benefits, and a beautiful view from my desk. Because I wanted to be out there, in the world—experiencing that view.

It was during this time that I took an online photography class that illuminated the path I was slowly moving along. This class opened me up to building a website and provided the first hint of how I might weave my creativity into a career. Photography and writing weren’t just hobbies anymore—they were becoming the compass pointing me toward what this new life could look like.

At the same time, I was planning my return trip to Spain: a month-long reconnaissance mission to live in four cities I considered moving to. I also began taking Spanish classes, exploring expat resources, and budgeting with my financial advisor as my layoff funds dwindled. A part of me knew this was the way—if I could find the courage to leap into the unknown.

2024 became my year of discovery. I was gathering tools, testing possibilities, and shaping a plan. From returning to Spain on a reconnaissance trip to diving into online photography and blogging courses, this was the season of turning what if into maybe this is possible.

Back to Spain We Go

In October 2024, I set off for Spain again. The plan was four weeks on the southern and eastern coasts, joined by a good friend (who also had an interest in moving) for the first two. But even before I left, I was thinking of extending—I had nowhere to be until Thanksgiving. That thought made me feel free, bold, adventurous. For once, I was giving myself permission to do whatever I wanted.

By my third week, I was planning my trip extension—two more weeks across northern and western Spain. I even traveled back to Portugal for a last-minute trip to Nazaré at my dad’s suggestion to see the big waves (that weren’t so big).

It was on this final leg of my trip that Odisea—my travel and photography blog—was born. Odisea wasn’t just a project; it was the container for the life I was starting to create—part travel, part art, part honest storytelling.