I think you keep hitting a primal nerve! As you keep processing this “pain” we are feeling our own angst. I think the deeper question is the antidote. Since we all can’t move to Italy, maybe the Italy we seek is within! Thank you for stirring the pot! I’m grateful!
This is so good! I have to say, I haven't read anything by Kirsten Powers. Or, maybe I did without realizing it. But... that changes today. She succinctly captured the essence of many of my thoughts at 55 a nd coming out of 22 years of political life. I recently told my husband that I have a political hangover. I also love that they took a well-researched leap of faith to move to another country. This is so inspiring.
Well done. I have made many similar decisions in my life so far (left the US at 27, binned the ‘successful’ career at 51) and feel myself on the brink of another big decision about how and where I want to live in the next phase of my life. At almost-59, it often seems like I’m ‘too old’ to start again, yet I am itching to do so. My husband has been dreaming of living somewhere else one day— and with that time approaching, I feel him hesitating. Do I have the energy and stamina to carry us both through? Kirsten, your example gives me hope.
I agree with Kirsten! I’ve met many people older than I making the move to Europe. Age is a state of mind. And living the life you love makes you feel so much younger! I felt old and broken in my old life. And now I hardly have any symptoms from my autoimmune disease. I have a new lease on life!
You are not 'too old'! That's social conditioning :-) SO MANY PEOPLE start over in other countries at your age and much older. Also my husband needed to be pulled along on this process so I understand how daunting that is but for me, at least, it was totally worth it.
What a lovely woman. Everything Kirsten Powers said in this interview resonated for me, hard. It's like she was in my mind. I feel I've lived an extremely inauthentic life and have never allowed myself to go for my dreams (too frivolous, you know). Kirsten inspired me, and her words and ideas seem simple and obvious. Yet, they really are not, at least not in this country (the U.S.). I also have been planning to move, but getting cold feet, as it's hard to make new friends and start over again at 56. Much to think about here. I'm so glad this writer is here, and that Shannon drew her out with her thoughtful questions.
I’m 54 and took the plunge (leaving the U.S. to travel and live in Europe) when I had just turned 53. I absolutely believe that by changing our lives we are giving ourselves our best chance to live longer and healthier!
I so appreciated this interview, especially that you talked about both internal, personal dynamics and the unhealthy consequences of the economic pressures to be and live a certain way in the US. Thank you for that! As I approach my retirement from teaching in the public school system the end of December for the past 10 years (and believe me, I am so looking forward to it), I am also facing the issues in this country about medical care and health insurance, too expensive for sure, and the potential of the devastating cost of medical emergency, etc. I think it is important to recognize how our lives are effected by the economic pressures here. In the US we are living in a runaway capitalist system. Perhaps not everyone can or wants to move to another country for various reasons, however knowing that there are other ways of living and relating seems to me to be one of those first steps in getting free and living authentically to who we are.
Umm, for most of us it doesn't matter how cheap houses in rural Italy are IF YOU CAN'T GET A JOB THERE. Even if you didn't have a mortgage, where are the groceries, the power, the land taxes and water bills going to come from? And that's before you start thinking about how how you're going to pay for healthcare as you get older, and how you're going to keep in touch with family members who don't have healthy credit balances or large frequent flyer points.
TL:DR It's easy to take back control of your life if you're wealthy.
Loved this interview. I follow and admire Kirsten so much. This spoke to me with its truth for my own life: "I really believe that when you take a step toward what you want, the Universe will meet you there." I have taken so many steps in this "second half of life" to live in a way that is more authentic and it has taken courage and a recognition of all that the ego-led first half of life did for me, but now this second half is the one I've been waiting for all my life. It's here and I'm taking full advantage. Planning my own move to Spain (Barcelona) in Feb 2025, a return to Europe where I lived for 22 years earlier in my life. It's where I see that second half unfolding.
Not sure if you’ll see this but I’m curious, was there a pivotal moment where you realized the hole for external validation was gone? Did something specific snap into place? Or was it the continuous therapy and focus that got you there?
I find it somewhat Interesting all the reasons (excuses) people offer up for not changing. I could make a list of what I've heard - and those of us who have made significant later life changes have reasons why we made the changes.
What's frequently given is "it's too late" and I've said, "It's not too late until it is." There are admittedly some limiting circumstances - health, finances, relationships, and dependents among them. If someone is not willing to step outside a comfort zone, then any big life change is unlikely, whether quitting a job, moving to another country or shifting gears. Change is inevitable. The question is, what kind of change would prefer and are you willing to plan for that? Here's a piece with some commentary on transitions: https://garygruber.substack.com/p/shift-happens
I think you keep hitting a primal nerve! As you keep processing this “pain” we are feeling our own angst. I think the deeper question is the antidote. Since we all can’t move to Italy, maybe the Italy we seek is within! Thank you for stirring the pot! I’m grateful!
So true—we can’t all move to Italy. I like the idea of finding what Italy represents within.
More articles about unlearning societal conditioning please.
This is so good! I have to say, I haven't read anything by Kirsten Powers. Or, maybe I did without realizing it. But... that changes today. She succinctly captured the essence of many of my thoughts at 55 a nd coming out of 22 years of political life. I recently told my husband that I have a political hangover. I also love that they took a well-researched leap of faith to move to another country. This is so inspiring.
So glad you connected w this 💜
Well done. I have made many similar decisions in my life so far (left the US at 27, binned the ‘successful’ career at 51) and feel myself on the brink of another big decision about how and where I want to live in the next phase of my life. At almost-59, it often seems like I’m ‘too old’ to start again, yet I am itching to do so. My husband has been dreaming of living somewhere else one day— and with that time approaching, I feel him hesitating. Do I have the energy and stamina to carry us both through? Kirsten, your example gives me hope.
I agree with Kirsten! I’ve met many people older than I making the move to Europe. Age is a state of mind. And living the life you love makes you feel so much younger! I felt old and broken in my old life. And now I hardly have any symptoms from my autoimmune disease. I have a new lease on life!
You are not 'too old'! That's social conditioning :-) SO MANY PEOPLE start over in other countries at your age and much older. Also my husband needed to be pulled along on this process so I understand how daunting that is but for me, at least, it was totally worth it.
What a lovely woman. Everything Kirsten Powers said in this interview resonated for me, hard. It's like she was in my mind. I feel I've lived an extremely inauthentic life and have never allowed myself to go for my dreams (too frivolous, you know). Kirsten inspired me, and her words and ideas seem simple and obvious. Yet, they really are not, at least not in this country (the U.S.). I also have been planning to move, but getting cold feet, as it's hard to make new friends and start over again at 56. Much to think about here. I'm so glad this writer is here, and that Shannon drew her out with her thoughtful questions.
Also I’m 56 and will be 57 by the time I move—it’s not too late!
I’m 54 and took the plunge (leaving the U.S. to travel and live in Europe) when I had just turned 53. I absolutely believe that by changing our lives we are giving ourselves our best chance to live longer and healthier!
I agree!
Awww thx! So glad it resonated
I so appreciated this interview, especially that you talked about both internal, personal dynamics and the unhealthy consequences of the economic pressures to be and live a certain way in the US. Thank you for that! As I approach my retirement from teaching in the public school system the end of December for the past 10 years (and believe me, I am so looking forward to it), I am also facing the issues in this country about medical care and health insurance, too expensive for sure, and the potential of the devastating cost of medical emergency, etc. I think it is important to recognize how our lives are effected by the economic pressures here. In the US we are living in a runaway capitalist system. Perhaps not everyone can or wants to move to another country for various reasons, however knowing that there are other ways of living and relating seems to me to be one of those first steps in getting free and living authentically to who we are.
Umm, for most of us it doesn't matter how cheap houses in rural Italy are IF YOU CAN'T GET A JOB THERE. Even if you didn't have a mortgage, where are the groceries, the power, the land taxes and water bills going to come from? And that's before you start thinking about how how you're going to pay for healthcare as you get older, and how you're going to keep in touch with family members who don't have healthy credit balances or large frequent flyer points.
TL:DR It's easy to take back control of your life if you're wealthy.
Loved this interview. I follow and admire Kirsten so much. This spoke to me with its truth for my own life: "I really believe that when you take a step toward what you want, the Universe will meet you there." I have taken so many steps in this "second half of life" to live in a way that is more authentic and it has taken courage and a recognition of all that the ego-led first half of life did for me, but now this second half is the one I've been waiting for all my life. It's here and I'm taking full advantage. Planning my own move to Spain (Barcelona) in Feb 2025, a return to Europe where I lived for 22 years earlier in my life. It's where I see that second half unfolding.
Not sure if you’ll see this but I’m curious, was there a pivotal moment where you realized the hole for external validation was gone? Did something specific snap into place? Or was it the continuous therapy and focus that got you there?
I find it somewhat Interesting all the reasons (excuses) people offer up for not changing. I could make a list of what I've heard - and those of us who have made significant later life changes have reasons why we made the changes.
What's frequently given is "it's too late" and I've said, "It's not too late until it is." There are admittedly some limiting circumstances - health, finances, relationships, and dependents among them. If someone is not willing to step outside a comfort zone, then any big life change is unlikely, whether quitting a job, moving to another country or shifting gears. Change is inevitable. The question is, what kind of change would prefer and are you willing to plan for that? Here's a piece with some commentary on transitions: https://garygruber.substack.com/p/shift-happens
This is gorgeous. The small steps towards real change xo
Bravo.