When we started this journey, we thought the best thing to do was ask questions—lots of them. I spent nights on forums and Facebook groups, reading through what others had asked before us and posting my own questions. And one thing stood out that I still can’t shake: the naysayers.
Let me start by saying that I understand people don’t want you to make the same mistakes they did. Maybe jumping into something without being 100% prepared is terrifying to some, but we’re not all made the same. I’m a strong believer in meticulous planning—I mean, you should see my Pinterest boards and how I’ve mapped out every room in our new house. But I also believe that sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith. Even if you crash and burn, there’s a whole story in that alone and lessons you wouldn’t learn any other way.
For instance, when I posted something like, “Hey everyone, hubby and I want to buy a house in Spain before we arrive, so everything will be done virtually—what are the steps we should take?” it caused an uproar. About 80% of the comments were along the lines of, “DON’T BUY WITHOUT SEEING IT.” I get it—it’s not normal, and it sounds a bit crazy. Who buys a house without seeing it? But for us, it felt right. We did our research, we spoke with agents, watched videos, and pored over every little detail. We took a calculated risk, and honestly, not once did we think, “Oh, we should wait until we can fly over.”
This kind of response wasn’t just isolated to this post, though; it’s everywhere. It’s like some people want to protect you from making decisions they wouldn’t make, and that’s fine, but at some point, it’s hard not to feel disheartened. I’ve worked so hard to get to a place in life where I don’t lead with fear or make decisions based on it, so when the responses are rooted in fear, it hits me in a way I didn’t expect. It makes me sad that some people don’t allow themselves to walk a path with trust in their hearts. And it can feel isolating, knowing that how we see the world isn’t the norm.
I think my neurodivergent traits help me lean into my instincts—following my heart feels more natural than constantly weighing up the pros and cons of every single decision. And yes, it’s led to some hiccups along the way, but it’s also brought us here. If we hadn’t followed this path, we wouldn’t be looking at sunsets over the Andalusian mountains, dreaming up renovations for a house that’s truly ours, and getting excited about a new chapter in Spain.
So here’s my piece of advice you didn’t ask for: there will always be pushback, whether it’s from strangers online or people you love. Don’t let it get you down. Be steadfast in your decisions and trust yourself to know what’s best for you. So much of the “advice” you’ll get is just people projecting their fears onto you. And maybe they’re scared for you or worried you’ll make mistakes—but that’s okay. If you know in your heart of hearts that you want to make the move, buy that house, or switch careers, don’t let anyone talk you out of it. This is your life, and only you know how to live it.
Funny enough, the people closest to us who we thought might call us crazy have been our biggest supporters. Some of them are even thinking about making the leap themselves. It’s a beautiful reminder that when you’re bold enough to follow your dreams, you inspire those around you to do the same.
This journey hasn’t been without its challenges—from packing up our entire lives into boxes to the moments of doubt when reality sets in. But with every step, we’re reminded why we started this in the first place. It’s not just about moving; it’s about living on our own terms, embracing the unknown, and creating a life that feels authentically us.
So, here’s to tuning out the noise, embracing the adventure, and living your life the way you want. We’re taking our chances, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Adios!
Jasmine & Andrew
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