I have an announcement.
First, I could start by apologising for not posting in two weeks, but I’m not going to. It’s all part of the announcement, you see.
I don’t really know where to start because I don’t really remember how it all started in the first place. The past couple of months have been laden with decisions, highs and lows, and they have led to this very point.
The point where I have quit my job.
The point where I fly out to Barcelona in a month’s time.
The point where, as of next month, I will be a freelance writer hopping between the UK and Spain.
Yes, in a strange series of events that have felt extremely surreal and just plain weird, I have quit my job and taken a pay cut to do something I love.
Bit smug?
Rewind.
At the start of the year my boyfriend and I had a conversation about living abroad or at least leaving the country for a while to see more of the world. Of course, I loved this idea, but it seemed like a bit of a pipe dream at the time. I had only been in my job as a Community Manager for a few months, and my boyfriend was in the middle of a difficult course and running a language school.
Fast forward a couple of months where we were still having the conversation about moving abroad and we were actually getting serious about it. We decided on Spain because I can speak a bit of Spanish and there are a lot of jobs teaching English there for my boyfriend. Plus, it’s close to home and not too big a first step.
Fast forward another couple of months and my boyfriend was getting interviews left, right, and centre for jobs he had applied for in Spain. At this point we were set on making the change, and it was just a case of slotting things into place.
The logistics
Where in Spain?
Igualada. You’ve probably never heard of it, right? It’s a small town just outside of Barcelona with wide boulevards lined with colourful flowers, and plazas popping up around every twist and turn.
Admittedly, we haven’t been to visit yet, despite my boyfriend’s contract being signed. But, on Google Street View it looks very nice… That’s a perfectly legit way to check out a place you’re going to be spending a lot of time in, right?
From what I’ve learned about it, it’s quiet enough to be the perfect backdrop for writing but close enough to the hubbub of Barcelona to feel like you’re not living out in the sticks. Plus, Barcelona is a city I absolutely love and I can’t wait to explore it further!
I love Barcelona
What exactly will I be doing?
Well, I’ll still be a UK resident with my home still in Brighton, but I’ll be spending weeks at a time out in Spain.
Because I can. Because I’ll be my own boss.
Yes, that’s right, I’m going freelance. I’ll be writing travel, art, and culture articles for various sites and publications, concentrating more on this blog, as well as my newer venture, Wanderarti. I’ll be managing social media for small companies, and I’ll be branching out into different media. Did someone say videos?
I’m also in the middle of writing a novel and I hope that the extra time I’ll have available means I can finally get it finished.
I’ll be getting my Spanish up to scratch, too. I’ve been learning for two years now, and hope to accelerate the learning process by being surrounded by native speakers. Yes, I am aware that Igualada is in Catalunya, which means they speak Catalan. I’m still a tiny bit in denial.
What does this mean for the blog?
This means great, great things for Wanderful World. I’ll have more time to focus on all the ideas I have but haven’t had the time to execute. You can expect e-books, travel-inspired fiction, videos, and tons more great content about this crazy ol’ world.
There will, of course, be a heavy focus on Spain, as I plan on doing a LOT of exploring, eating, visiting attractions, meeting locals, and trying new things. Make sure you’re following along on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and Instagram, as they’ll be jam-packed full of content from my time spent in Spain.
Barcelona is also a great hub for exploring the rest of Europe, and without the need to book time off work and limited annual leave, I’ll be able to fly off whenever I want to discover new places.
I’m very excited. And also absolutely terrified at the same time.
I know I have written in the past about quitting your job to travel. This isn’t really the same, though, I don’t think. I won’t be hitting the road indefinitely, and I’ll still be in the UK regularly. I’m keeping my home. I’m just choosing to work for myself instead of someone else. I’m choosing to focus on doing the things I love the most, even if that means taking a pay cut. I’m choosing to grab the opportunity with both hands and not let go!
It may not work for everyone, but it’s the right decision for me. For now. I think.
Wow! Such a great decision! Glad you made it 😉 Now that I left the best city ever (aka Barcelona) for Edinburgh, you’re making that move… You will love it! yes, people speak catalan but if you let them know you’re there to learn (and willing to speak a few basic words in the local language) you will be getting lots of help, I hope.
PS: Igualada does 2 great outlet weeks twice a year (in june and november, i think…) So stay tuned for lots of designer bargains!
Thanks Patricia! I’m hoping I’ll be able to pick up Catalan fairly easily, but I have to be honest – I know very, very little of it compared to Spanish. Great to know about the outlets in Igualada, too! Thanks for the advice – if you have any more tips for Igualada feel free to share as I pretty much know nothing about it! 🙂
This is amazing and so exciting! I’m on a one month countdown myself to move to Ireland. Best of luck to you! 🙂
So exciting, but also pretty scary just wading into the unknown! Woo, you must be really excited, too 🙂 I love Ireland. Whereabouts are you moving to?
I know what you mean, we’re definitely letting ourselves be open to anything happening! I can’t wait, I’m heading to Northern Ireland to live in Belfast 🙂
We definitely are! Oh awesome, I’ve only stopped in Belfast really briefly in the past but it seems like a great place 🙂
Congrats, It’s a big step but an awesome one! You should be proud of yourself.
Thanks Rachel! It’s taken a while to convince myself that I haven’t made a huge mistake.
Congratulations on the big move, Lizzie! It’s not an easy decision to make, but nothing is more rewarding than building something on your own and making it work. Best of luck in your new freelancing career 🙂
Thanks Ryan! It seems like a lot of pressure at the moment but I’m sure it’ll all be worth it in the end 🙂
Love it! i too an leaving the UK, next year, with my other half ( who is spanish)soooo can not wait! – your plans sound very exciting! enjoy living the dream:)
Wow, this is fantastic news! You’re so brave for taking the plunge! Hope you have a fantastic time, and hopefully we can all get together soon for a catch up. What’s the betting every time I come back to Brighton you’ll be sunning it up in Spain, sod’s law. Can’t wait to read all about your time there! Xx
Thanks Holli! Let’s all definitely get together soon! I’ll be in Brighton around the holidays and here and there throughout the year… But of course I will be sunning it up in Spain A LOT 😉 xx
Ah Lizzie I’m soooo happy for you! This is going to add a whole new dimension to your blog, but more importantly, it’s going to add a whole new dimension to you your life! You’ve definitely made the right decision. England will always be there for you, but the opportunity of living in Spain might not always be there to grab. You don’t want a perpetual ‘what if?’ gnawing through your thoughts every time you’re suck behind a desk because you thought paying off a mortgage was the ‘right’ thing to do. That stuff can wait… you’ve got more exciting stuff to do first!
Thanks Shing! I’m so excited to have time to spend on the blogs now – really looking forward to giving them a big push and, like you say, a whole new dimension. It was the thought of a potential ‘what if’ that made me take the plunge in the end. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out but at least I’ll have given it a shot 🙂
That’s fantastic news indeed Lizzie, congrats! I wish you best of luck and no matter how things turn out in the end, I believe it will be worth it… 🙂 Or maybe take this one as wee bit of extra encouragement for your decision:
http://www.coffeestainedjournal.com/2014/07/come-alive-howard-thurman/
🙂 Take care and see you around…
Love that quote – thanks Oliver, it’s exactly what I need to see!
No big mistake in taking the plunge Lizzie – you’ll love it. Saludos from Andalucia. Phil Morrison aka the Flexible Chef http://www.theflexiblechef.co.uk
Thanks Phil! I’m hoping to spend a bit of time in Andalucia in the next year 🙂
Congrats! It is a big decision and of course as with everything in life it brings its own risks and problems. But I think it is worth it to at least try it once. Home will be there waiting for you. I wish you and your boy friend good luck with your new plans.
Thanks so much Laura! If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out but at least I will have tried it 🙂
Yes!!! You go girl (and Johan)! 😉
I thought you’d enjoy this! 🙂 where are you now?
It’s a bit freaky how much this mirrors my current situation haha! Especially work wise – but I haven’t quite yet decided where my home abroad will be, thinking I might try a few first whilst I figure things out 🙂 Barcelona sounds amazing!
Congrats on making that plunge, and good luck with it all. At least I know I am not the only one 😉
You are absolutely not the only one 🙂 Great idea trying out a few places! Let me know how you get on.
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Sounds great have a wonderful time .
Thanks!
Of course your not crazy! This sounds amazing to me and I think your really brave letting go of the ‘conventional’ lifestyle and doing what you really want to do. I did it a few years back and don’t regret it for a second.
Thanks for the kind words, Jen! So glad you didn’t regret it 🙂 I hope I don’t either… I’m sure I won’t!
Huge congrats to you for making some fantastic changes to your life, doing things you enjoy and in locations that you’re going to love.
You’ve really chosen the best way to work and travel 😉
Thank you Dale! I’m so excited to see how the next few months (and years!) pan out 🙂 It feels good right now and I hope it stays that way!
Great news Lizzie. You’re a talented writer so you’ll nail it. Good luck.
Thanks so much Martin! 🙂
Bravo! And good luck 🙂 I actually discovered you today because I’m feeling restless. I want to be paid to discover the unusual and unconventional in the world so I was looking through the following list on a fellow (and similar) blogger and you were there, doing exactly what I want to do. Being a freelancer and not stuck in one place. I unfortunately don’t have a job to give up, I’m trying to make a job out of what I love to do! So you are now my new inspiration! 🙂
Hi Lisa, thank you so much for your lovely comment! I was initially so scared to quit my stable job and basically dive into the unknown, and I’ve had my fair share of family members and friends gawk at my plans but it just feels so right. I’ve been wanting to go freelance for a while, and I’m only going to get older and older and more cemented into a full-time job the longer I leave it. It’s definitely a case of ‘no time like the present’! I wish you the best of luck in creating the career of your dreams, you have to start somewhere – as long as you start! I don’t think I’ve ever been anyone’s inspiration before so that is absolutely amazing to hear, although I am just a normal person 🙂 Anyone can do it! I’ll be following along with your blog, too, which I just discovered – it’s great! Have a fabulous week 🙂
So happy for you to have made such a wonderful decision for yourself! To follow your dreams and passions rather than the money.. that’s where you find true happiness anyway. I’m excited for this new adventure for you and I’m happy I’m able to follow you along on your journey by subscribing! Happy travels!
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s taken a while to build up the courage but I’m so glad I made the leap 🙂 Pleased to have you following along! Happy travels to you, too.
I salute your ideas of quitting the job. You are daring and you have the guts i get inspired from you.
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wow!! such a great story !! You know always follow your heart..always do things which you want to do in your life without taking tension of the world..@Lizzie I am really glad you are doing that things..Congratulations !! wish you a great life ahead with a lot of happiness and blessings..:)
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