Pretty much ever since I was in the working world, I was working in the banking and finance industries. Long days, high stress and adrenaline atmosphere and it being an extremely male orientated environment, I had to beef up my aggression to fit in….whoever’s loudest wins kind thing.
A change was needed
For me it all came to a head at the end of 2013 when I was living in Sydney, Australia when I had reached my limits. I was sick of living for the weekends and feeling cooped up in an office 12 hours a day. I wanted to live. I wanted to experience a new lifestyle and culture and call the shots in my life. I had always had a fascination about Italy and Italian culture after several vacations over the years so for me it was an obvious choice.
Apart from having a very stressful working life, my social life and personal life in Sydney was thriving. I was earning 6 figures a year, I had a stunning apartment with harbour bridge view and a great social circle of girlfriends. When I announced that I was going to be swapping my secure life for one in Italy; a country that was (and still is) in the depths of an economic crisis, everyone thought I was crazy.
But I didn’t let that stop me from fulfilling my dream and following my heart to the “bel paese”.
A new adventure
I didn’t let the small fact that I knew very little Italian deter me, and I set off on my Italian adventure in 2014. I was very fortunate to have found work almost immediately working for a luxury real estate company liaising with English speaking clients who were interested in purchasing property in Italy.
I always had a passion for property and architecture and Italy was just the place for me to tap into my real estate passions. It was there that my passion project evolved; how to coach and guide overseas investors as to the property purchase process in Italy, allowing them to buy with confidence and ease without running into the common costly pitfalls that many overseas investors come across.
A totally different lifestyle
Life looks so different now than when I was in my corporate job. I no longer am working 12 hour days, I get to design the days as and around my schedule, having lots of time to dedicate to my 18 month old little boy and my “job” just does not feel like work. My sense of work/life balance is well and truly a far cry from my corporate career and I couldn’t be more grateful!
I truly get a kick out of helping people create their own slice of “La Dolce Vita” like I have mine here in Italy.
With the working world changing each year, gone are the days where people want to be tied to a desk for 12 hours a day for 40 years of their lives.
People want freedom, the ability to be location free, to work remotely, to travel, to embark on adventures that fill up their soul and make them feel alive.
Follow your heart
Life is not a dress rehearsal, we only get one shot! With 2020 on our doorstep, don’t let another year go by without really listening to your gut and following your heart. There is nothing more fulfilling than living out your passions and being your true authentic self.
I never felt like I belonged in the corporate world, I had to be this persona that never felt aligned with me. I am forever grateful that I had the courage to listen to my instincts and followed my dream to Italy.