"We didn't want to wait ...

… until it was too late ” - Sarah’s Story of Choosing Life Over Routine .

When Sarah and her family decided to break free from the relentless cycle of work, obligations, and routine to move to southern Spain last summer, many people thought they were crazy. Why leave behind stable jobs, a well-structured life, and a predictable future? But for Sarah, the decision came from a deeply personal realization — one that too many people only reach when it’s already too late.

Doris: Sarah, what made you and your family take this leap and move to Spain?

Sarah: It was a series of wake-up calls. My friend’s uncle retired, finally ready to enjoy the life he had worked so hard for — and within a year, he was gone. A client shared the same story about her mother. Again and again, I kept hearing the same pattern: people spend their entire lives waiting for  "someday" , only for life to throw them a curveball — cancer, a heart attack, something unexpected.

I remember thinking, What if we don’t make it to 'someday'? That’s when we knew — we had to stop waiting.

Doris: That’s such a powerful realization. How did you start shifting your mindset?

Sarah: It wasn’t immediate. We had spent years believing we had to follow a set path—work hard, save, and only later, in retirement, truly live. But then we started asking ourselves a few key questions:

• What does our ideal life actually look like?
• Can we start living parts of it now instead of waiting for years?

At first we thought: One day, we’ll take long vacations, spend more time with friends, and have more freedom. But then we challenged ourselves — why wait? Instead of postponing happiness, we started bringing pieces of that dream into our lives immediately.

We reevaluated everything — our jobs, our home, our lifestyle. Could we work remotely? Could we change direction, take control of our time, and fully embrace the life we wanted — right now?

Doris: So many people dream of doing what you did but feel stuck. What would you say to them?

Sarah: I’d say this: Life isn’t waiting for you. It’s happening right now . If your vision of the future includes more joy, more freedom, and more connection, why not start today?

Not everyone has to pack up and move to Spain tomorrow. But you can take small steps. Maybe it’s shifting to remote work, prioritizing time with loved ones, or simply learning to slow down.

Because in the end, it’s the small, everyday choices that quietly shape the life we create.

Sarah and I have become friends since I had the privilege of helping her family find their perfect place in Southern Spain — a journey I am truly grateful to have been part of. Our deep conversations unfold over long walks on the beach or bike rides through La Alcaidesa’s untouched landscapes, where time seems to slow down. And every time we meet, I walk away feeling recharged, reminded to embrace the present moment. Because in the end, it’s not just the big milestones that define us, but the small, everyday moments that quietly shape the life we create.