Let me set the scene: 7 years ago, at 33, I was living what seemed like the perfect life in California as a German expat. And one I had fought hard to get to:
â A solid corporate career that I liked and a dream to many others.
â A great social circle and community.
â A country that felt like home for so long.
But beneath the surface? I felt restless, uninspired, and honestly a bit stuck with no real vision for my future. The idea that this repetitive life, year after year, was all there was going to be truly perplexed me.
Instead of succumbing to doubt and fear, I asked myself this game-changing question:
Whatâs more challengingâplaying it safe and staying in place or always wondering âwhat ifâ? Or just be bold yet again, move, and see what will be next?
That question? It changed everything. And ultimately lead me to where I am today.
A Timeline: Greatest Hits Playlist
If bold moves were a sport, Iâd be winning gold medals. Hereâs my TL;DR timeline reel of bold fresh start moments from the past 25 years:
1999: Lived on my own at 15, putting myself through high school and college.
2008: Swapped Germany for Silicon Valley, where I worked with top-tier execs for a decade.
2013: Rebuild my life after divorce and came out stronger.
2018: Returned to Germany after 10 years seeking more work-life balance but foundâŚburnout. Cool.
2020: Launched two businesses during a global pandemic at 36 years old and scaled solopreneurship to six figures within 2 years.
2024: Said sayonara to Germany and moved myself (and my business) to Portugalâs Algarve region, where my lifestyle and work vision finally clicked.
Mind you, these are not even all of themâjust the most significant ones (I've actually lived in 5 countries so far!) But back to the list above: Each transition brought a new set of challenges, loneliness at times, and fears to master, but most importantly, every single one led to more clarity, more personal growth, and ultimately resulted in a lifestyle and career vision with long-term purpose and the freedom I didn't know I was looking for or even able to achieve.
Portugal: The Boldest Move Yet at 40
Letâs skip the dramaâthis move only took 3 months and went so well it still feels unreal.
By 2023, I was ready to go all in on a lifestyle that aligned with my vision and values. I was NOT going to find it in Germany, ever. So, I scouted several Portuguese cities over a period of time, and in early 2024, when I finally found my ideal home in the city of Lagos, I packed up my life into two suitcases and relocated to Portugal with my business in tow. And honestly? Best. Decision. Ever.
Everything just fell into place thanks to good planning:
I found a home that feels like a sanctuary with a dream view and made instant friends.
My business gets more incentives than in Germany and will expand in awesome ways in 2025 (and it turns out clients donât really give a flying f*ck where youâre based these days anyway).
I settled into a lifestyle that finally matches my vision and values: I am able to prioritize health and free time in ways that fit my desired daily routine: slower mornings with walks on the beach, a creative environment of likeminded, international people that I was lacking for so long, and zero hustle culture or corporate drama.
No rocky starts, no dramaâjust sunshine, smooth transitions, and a whole lot of good vibes.
This move wasnât just about a change in sceneryâit was about choosing myself, my happiness, and my future vision with my own business. And itâs proof that bold fresh starts donât have to be anywhere near as chaotic as you might think; they can be exactly what you need and go as planned.
The Power of Reinvention and Embracing Change
Here's the thing: you donât need to move across the world to make a significant change (although Portugal is amazing!). A fresh start can be as simple as walking away from a job that no longer excites you or gives you health issues, saying goodbye to relationships that drain you, or finally deciding to define success on your terms. The hardest part? Giving yourself permission to do it and not letting fear of change or judgment of others hold you back.
Imagine waking up every morning with a renewed sense of purpose, steering your life in a direction that truly excites youâeven if it takes you several pivots to get there. Sounds like a dream, right? But it doesnât have to stay a dream. Dreams don't get you anywhere; clarity and action do. Did you know that over 50% of mid-career professionals are considering a career change? Thatâs a staggering number of people yearning for more from life. What separates those who succeed from those who only dream? Taking that first bold step towards change. And embracing the fear that naturally comes with it.
Reflect on this: Whatâs holding you back? Is it fear of the unknown or the comfort of a steady paycheck? Itâs okay to feel these emotions. But true growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone. Wade through the mud and ugly cry if you have to. But then picture yourself as a fearless explorer on your own ship (cue the Christopher Columbus images). You're responsible for stirring it, whether the sea is calm or roughâno one else. Now ask yourself, what would your bold fresh start look like and where would it lead you?
Food for Thought
Hereâs your mini action plan today:
Whatâs one area of your life that you don't want to face because you know it feels out of alignment?
What would you regret moreâchanging it even if it's the harder path or staying the same?
And if fear tries to talk you out of it, remember this: clarity doesnât come from waiting and doing nothingâit comes from action.
So, whatâs your next bold move? Hit reply and let me knowâIâd love to hear about it.
