From Stability and Routine to Freedom: My Journey of Embracing Fear and Chasing Dreams

Hello everyone, my name is Vanessa. At 37, soon to be 38, I made a bold choice that transformed my life. I've never been married and don't have children. I'm the daughter of immigrant parents who moved to Luxembourg as young adults, seeking a better future from Spain and Italy.

Growing up, my parents carried the weight of their impoverished childhoods, working tirelessly to provide stability. My mother, who couldn't read or write, went back to school at 45 while raising three kids and later took care of elderly women. Through a wise investment, she lifted us to upper-middle-class status. My father, a mechanic with a heart of gold, repaired cars at home for almost free and spent his non-working hours sleeping on the couch.

Our family trips were simple but memorable—road trips to Spain or Italy with sandwiches and a thermos of coffee, driving with the windows down because we didn't have air conditioning. We'd sleep a few hours at gas stations. It was amazing. But I always dreamed of seeing the world beyond these trips. Traveling through books, I envisioned distant lands and exciting adventures. My mother, however, emphasized the importance of stability: study hard, work hard, and buy a house. She wanted the best for me, mirroring her fears.

Despite my rebellious spirit, I managed to finish hotel management school and briefly attended university, always yearning to combine work and travel. To please my parents, I started working for a local airline, flying around for five years before tiring of the shifts. I then secured a semi-government job, delighting my mother. Yet, I found myself stuck in a 9-5 routine, surrounded by colleagues whose dreams revolved around bigger homes and nicer cars. My creativity and intellect felt stifled.

Desperate to escape the rat race, I realized I needed to act. I asked for a leave without pay for five years, planning to rent out my flat and store my belongings. With fear in my stomach, I approached my boss and sent the request, imagining endless possibilities. A week later, I received a big no. My mood plummeted, feeling trapped once more.

Determined, I spoke to my sister, who encouraged me with simple words: "Go for it. Do it!" Even my mother surprised me by saying, "Do it if it makes you happy." Their support was invaluable. From that day on, I prepared for my life change, reducing my possessions and boxing up memories. By November 2022, I had emptied 90% of my flat and given away my furniture. I found a real estate agency to rent out my flat and stayed at my sister's place, sleeping on the couch for four months.

With a deadline of June 2023, I considered working on cruise ships or in Dubai. Then, my old boss offered me a job as a tourism representative. Now, here I am in Ibiza for the summer season, with a well-paid job that provides a great flat, a car, and pays for my petrol. I earn commissions, plan my schedule, and work alone in the destination. I share my passion for discovery, hidden gems, sunset spots, and authentic eateries with my clients.

This is just the beginning of my journey. I live out of two luggages, have done a season in Mallorca, worked in Dubai, and met amazing, ambitious people.

Now, I am somwhere else on this beautiful planet, creating this website to help you create the life you've always wanted, step by step, box by box, fear by fear.

For more information about how I managed to transition or a personal guiding and coaching through your own journey, contact me at info@discoverwithayah.com or find me on Instagram @discoverwithayah. I'm here to assist you every step of the way!