I really appreciated this. What stayed with me was the way returning to El Salvador did not read like making your life smaller, but like allowing your life to become more whole.
The line “porque soy de aquí y soy de allá” felt like the center of the piece. Not having to choose one place, one language, or one version of belonging, but letting the fullness of both become part of the life and work you are building now.
I also appreciated how carefully you protected the decision before sharing it. That felt very real. Some choices are too tender at first to hand over to other people’s reactions. They need time to become rooted in us before they can survive being seen.
Thank you so much, Patrick, for reflecting so intentionally on my words. The “porque soy de aquí y soy de allá” had resonated deeply with so many people. It’s been a relief to finally allow myself to feel that and now realizing how much the language of lack has robbed us. We’re allowed to belong.
that is very nicely put how letting the fullness of both - languages, cultures, countries, become part of a life and work that will be created. That feels indeed like a center piece. I love that. I live in a place that merges two cultures (South Tyrol) , only part of which is connected to my background, but I love the concept and this way of designing our lives.
Thank you Claudia. I really like how you put that, designing our lives through the fullness of more than one place.
South Tyrol must be such an interesting setting for that. Even when only part of the cultural merging connects directly to your own background, I imagine living there still changes how you think about language, belonging, and what it means to carry more than one influence at once.
I’d be curious how living there has shaped the way you see slowness, place, and identity.
Living in South Tyrol, which is a blend of German/Austrian and the Italian culture is an interesting place to feel and observe what identity means. You still have sometimes a “culture-clash” because the main language, tradition and culture is still German, even though South Tyrol is officially part of Italy. The younger generation embraces the beauty of merging the best of 2 cultures, the German efficiency with the Italian dolce vita. There is a strong identity with being Tyrolean or South Tyrolean, and the strong sense of identity comes probably when you find yourself pulled and pushed “between” 2 cultures.
The pace is slower here.. valleys, mountains, vineyards, apple orchards everywhere, and farmers who are in no hurry. We are constantly stuck behind tractors when driving somewhere…which gives you a different sense of time and hurry.
The combination of German efficiency and Italian dolce vita sounds like such a distinctive way of living between cultures. I also love the image of being stuck behind tractors as an everyday reminder that the landscape sets the pace, not the clock. It makes sense that identity would feel especially strong in a place where two cultures are always meeting.
Welcome Home! I love "living without borders". Bless you for the courage to stay obedient to the calling but from my view, the path continues to unfold in front of you with no specific destination than to continuing to become and stay aligned to your purpose. Sending you much love and admiration.
Reading this gave me chills - especially this line: "Rooting has never been my calling. Let’s call it a wound that’s become a comfort zone I’m very talented at."
So much of your early experience reminds me of mine, just in different places :) I'm excited to continue reading about your journey.
A big decision I recently made was to go back to school, and at 45 with an already full plate, I will be starting a Master's in Social Work. Cheers to these life-changing decisions and taking action to where our hearts lead us!
Thanks for being here, Sarah! Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of people with stories like ours who are being “called back home” and living beyond borders. I recognize the privilege in even having this choice.
And yay on your big decision to pursue a Master’s degree!!! Not an easy feat but one that I sense you’re so ready for!
Mucha suerte Ana, me alegro por ti. Yo también estoy considerando volver a mis raíces, a uno de mis dos países, el original, porque como tú, soy de aquí y soy de allá.
Ana, estoy muy contenta por ti. Admiro todo lo que haces y te veo con tanta admiración. I love the "Por que soy de aquí y de allá" Most of us can relate. Thank you for switching the perspective of not belonging. Abrazos y mucho cariño hasta El Salvador.
wonderful move. And great to hear you follow your heart, your intuition and your way of how you want to live and work. It's been now 10 years that I moved from the States "back to" Europe, to the Italian Alps and even it's not my home country (which is Germany) it feels like home. An "un-HUSTLED" place but being connected to the world through our modern technology I think what you write puts the finger on it: a life and work with no borders.
I love that you get it because you’re living it. The whole journey of being done with the hustle brought me back to a place where living rushed just isn’t part of the equation. Like I keep saying, my book has been writing me.
I'm so happy for you Ana! I see the joy in your face, that pic of you and your daughter is priceless. Many blessings to you on free-range living in midlife!!
There definitely is joy. There have also been a lot of moments of “WTF did we do?!” I know it’s part of the process and there will be tons of ups and downs as we adjust. And I’m here for it all. Being close to family again is priceless.
I have a plan of moving to Mexico by end of 2027, currently working on dual citizenship. I feel very encouraged by your story, and the best part is we can hop back and forth from country to country so nothing is lost!
That’s definitely a privilege we can’t take lightly. I lived in Mexico for five years and have a permanent residency, so I always thought I would move back there. Maybe we’ll find each other there! 🤗
I really appreciated this. What stayed with me was the way returning to El Salvador did not read like making your life smaller, but like allowing your life to become more whole.
The line “porque soy de aquí y soy de allá” felt like the center of the piece. Not having to choose one place, one language, or one version of belonging, but letting the fullness of both become part of the life and work you are building now.
I also appreciated how carefully you protected the decision before sharing it. That felt very real. Some choices are too tender at first to hand over to other people’s reactions. They need time to become rooted in us before they can survive being seen.
Thank you so much, Patrick, for reflecting so intentionally on my words. The “porque soy de aquí y soy de allá” had resonated deeply with so many people. It’s been a relief to finally allow myself to feel that and now realizing how much the language of lack has robbed us. We’re allowed to belong.
that is very nicely put how letting the fullness of both - languages, cultures, countries, become part of a life and work that will be created. That feels indeed like a center piece. I love that. I live in a place that merges two cultures (South Tyrol) , only part of which is connected to my background, but I love the concept and this way of designing our lives.
Thank you Claudia. I really like how you put that, designing our lives through the fullness of more than one place.
South Tyrol must be such an interesting setting for that. Even when only part of the cultural merging connects directly to your own background, I imagine living there still changes how you think about language, belonging, and what it means to carry more than one influence at once.
I’d be curious how living there has shaped the way you see slowness, place, and identity.
Living in South Tyrol, which is a blend of German/Austrian and the Italian culture is an interesting place to feel and observe what identity means. You still have sometimes a “culture-clash” because the main language, tradition and culture is still German, even though South Tyrol is officially part of Italy. The younger generation embraces the beauty of merging the best of 2 cultures, the German efficiency with the Italian dolce vita. There is a strong identity with being Tyrolean or South Tyrolean, and the strong sense of identity comes probably when you find yourself pulled and pushed “between” 2 cultures.
The pace is slower here.. valleys, mountains, vineyards, apple orchards everywhere, and farmers who are in no hurry. We are constantly stuck behind tractors when driving somewhere…which gives you a different sense of time and hurry.
The combination of German efficiency and Italian dolce vita sounds like such a distinctive way of living between cultures. I also love the image of being stuck behind tractors as an everyday reminder that the landscape sets the pace, not the clock. It makes sense that identity would feel especially strong in a place where two cultures are always meeting.
Welcome Home! I love "living without borders". Bless you for the courage to stay obedient to the calling but from my view, the path continues to unfold in front of you with no specific destination than to continuing to become and stay aligned to your purpose. Sending you much love and admiration.
Love you, amiga! I’m not 100% sure what’s coming for me but I feel the expansiveness and fulfillment.
Thanks for holding me in so many ways!
Reading this gave me chills - especially this line: "Rooting has never been my calling. Let’s call it a wound that’s become a comfort zone I’m very talented at."
So much of your early experience reminds me of mine, just in different places :) I'm excited to continue reading about your journey.
A big decision I recently made was to go back to school, and at 45 with an already full plate, I will be starting a Master's in Social Work. Cheers to these life-changing decisions and taking action to where our hearts lead us!
Thanks for being here, Sarah! Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of people with stories like ours who are being “called back home” and living beyond borders. I recognize the privilege in even having this choice.
And yay on your big decision to pursue a Master’s degree!!! Not an easy feat but one that I sense you’re so ready for!
Glad we’re connected.
Ana, you never cease to amaze me. I’m in awe of your journey!
Adore you, Diosa!!!!! Let's stay in awe of each other. I see you!!!
Really love this announcement. You’re living my dream! It’s inspiring and giving me permission to keep on acting towards making my dream a reality 🙂
I am so happy it resonated with you, Mariel! These dreams keep tugging at us for a reason. You'll know when the time is right.
Mucha suerte Ana, me alegro por ti. Yo también estoy considerando volver a mis raíces, a uno de mis dos países, el original, porque como tú, soy de aquí y soy de allá.
Me encanta esa visión para ti, Isidra!! Te siento allá.
Ana, estoy muy contenta por ti. Admiro todo lo que haces y te veo con tanta admiración. I love the "Por que soy de aquí y de allá" Most of us can relate. Thank you for switching the perspective of not belonging. Abrazos y mucho cariño hasta El Salvador.
Gracias, gracias Diana! Se me hinchó el corazón leyéndote. Es que sí somos de aquí Y de allá y hay que declararlo because we do belong ☺️
wonderful move. And great to hear you follow your heart, your intuition and your way of how you want to live and work. It's been now 10 years that I moved from the States "back to" Europe, to the Italian Alps and even it's not my home country (which is Germany) it feels like home. An "un-HUSTLED" place but being connected to the world through our modern technology I think what you write puts the finger on it: a life and work with no borders.
I love that you get it because you’re living it. The whole journey of being done with the hustle brought me back to a place where living rushed just isn’t part of the equation. Like I keep saying, my book has been writing me.
what a nice description: Your book has been writing you.
Felicidades, Ana!!
Gracias!!!! 🫶🏽
Mucha suerte! I'm excited for you and your journey back home.
Gracias, Juliet! Looking forward to where your calling takes you!!
Thank you for sharing this. ❤️ I loved reading about your journey and this new beginning. Such a beautiful story. ✨
I appreciate you being here, Steena!
You are such an inspiration 🫶🩷 so happy you found your home base 🇸🇻
It feels really good to have the opportunity to reconcile so much in my lineage’s home. 💙
YES 🙌🏼 I am so excited for you and this next chapter Ana. Sending you so much love and blessings as you settle in 🙏🏼
Receiving the love and blessings!
I love this so much. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading!!
Congratulations, Ana, you've got this! Much love!
Taking it day by day and excited to open up new pathways for the book!! Vamos con todo!!
I'm so happy for you Ana! I see the joy in your face, that pic of you and your daughter is priceless. Many blessings to you on free-range living in midlife!!
There definitely is joy. There have also been a lot of moments of “WTF did we do?!” I know it’s part of the process and there will be tons of ups and downs as we adjust. And I’m here for it all. Being close to family again is priceless.
I have a plan of moving to Mexico by end of 2027, currently working on dual citizenship. I feel very encouraged by your story, and the best part is we can hop back and forth from country to country so nothing is lost!
That’s definitely a privilege we can’t take lightly. I lived in Mexico for five years and have a permanent residency, so I always thought I would move back there. Maybe we’ll find each other there! 🤗