Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash

I get a lot of questions about living abroad. How do you run your business from Portugal? What’s it like to navigate schools and health care? How do you balance business, family, and adventure? Is it something I could do too?

Portugal is the fourth country I’ve lived in outside the United States: Dominican Republic and Vietnam before kids; Thailand and Portugal with kids. As a mom and normal non-hippie who doesn’t really fit the digital nomad nomenclature, I think people sometimes scratch their heads at me. Her? Really?

I’m not an eclectic artist, in-touch yogi (though I do practice yoga . . . poorly), or worldly soul who exudes ethereal charm. Basically, I’m none of the stereotypes I used to think one had to embody in order to be an expat. 

Instead, I’m just a normal human being—just like you. I’m a mama of two global citizens. Location independent business owner for nearly 13 years. Runner and reader. American woman who loves basic things like #PSL and Target. (I mean . . . who doesn’t?)

Can you relate? Have you ever wondered if normal-you could ever be expat-you? If you could ever scale a mountainside in Vietnam to see a giant reclining Buddha, enjoy a leisurely cappuccino at a café in Europe, ride the sky car in Singapore, or zip-line through the jungles of Thailand? I’ve done all those things and so much more. But there was a time in my life I couldn’t have imagined myself living this life. It took vision and intentionality to make it happen.

If you wish you could break out of your job or city and live abroad, I want to share a few articles, podcast episodes, and resources to help you imagine possibilities and take the first step toward your dreams.

#1 Why I choose location independence (article)

This article shares the why behind the location independent lifestyle, including why my family and I choose this life. Read the article: https://stacyennis.com/why-i-choose-location-independence/.

#2 Unconventional: a look at our nontraditional family life (article)

This article digs into our family structure, including the fact that I’m the breadwinner and my husband stays home with our kids. Read the article: https://stacyennis.com/unconventional/.

#3 Developing a location independent mindset (episode)

This podcast episode is an oldie but goodie—recorded back when the pod was still called “The Stacy Ennis Show.” Recorded when I lived in Thailand, I share some of the strategies I’ve used to develop a location independent mindset. Listen here: https://stacyennis.com/podcast/episode37/.

#4 The ups and downs of living in Portugal (episode)

Recorded partially pre-COVID and post-COVID, this podcast episode shares some of the early ups and downs of living in Portugal. (This is also an older episode from “The Stacy Ennis Show” days but perfectly captures the early stages of living in Portugal, which will be helpful for you if you’re dreaming of living abroad.) Listen here: https://stacyennis.com/podcast/episode6/.

#5 Life Visioning Guide (download)

For me, understanding my big life vision has been central to making the professional and personal changes I needed to make in order to become location independent. This Life Visioning Guide provides a guided activity to help you uncover your life vision and dream big. Download my Life Visioning Guide: https://stacyennis.com/lifevisioningguide.

If you’re dreaming of location independence, where would you live? What are your top travel destinations? Share with me in the comments!