A woman who was tired or living a “boring” life has revealed how she divorced her husband, quit her job and ditched her kids to move 5,000 miles across the globe.
After leaving her husband of 30 years, Cindy Sheahan decided it was time to reset life.
And so, she jetted off to explore six new countries over the course of three months.
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But, when she returned home, it was clear that her travel bug hadn’t been fed enough – and her old life was no longer serving her.
Cindy ultimately decided to finalise her divorce, quit her job of 20 years and ditch her four kids, who were in all their 20s, to move over 5,000 miles across the globe.
Now, for the first time in her life, she doesn’t feel like someone’s daughter, wife or mother; she’s just herself.
“It’s been so freeing,” the former realtor told Need To Know.
“I’ve been able to find and just be myself.
“I’m on zero medications and my health is perfect.
“I truly enjoy my alone time; but I do miss my kids so much.
“And my grandkids.
“But I had to stop being small and begin living the large life I deserved.”
The 64-year-old’s life used to be filled with taking the kids to after school clubs, working tirelessly in her full-time career and trying to find time to be a loving wife.
While she wasn’t unhappy, the penny dropped that something needed to change after her youngest graduated high school.
She said: “I finally came up for air and realised it was time to move on.
“I had grown tired, disappointed and frustrated.
“I couldn’t do another 30 years with my husband.
“I no longer loved him.
“He was a great partner; but we were not a team.
“I wanted to explore the world, he was comfortable where we were at.
“I felt like it was the perfect time for me to go on to the next chapter – without him.
“And a few of our friends had been diagnosed with cancer and died in their early 50s.
“My own mortality became crystal clear and I could see there may not be so very many days left to enjoy.”
In 2016, Cindy, from Chicago, US, took a sabbatical from work and visited Italy, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
When she returned, she quit her job, sold all her belongings and went off with just a backpack in tow to search for a new purpose.
She went to 14 countries, including Laos, Nepal, Turkey, Croatia, France, China and Vietnam.
But, there was one place that captured her heart.
Palermo, Italy.
She said: “I had never really considered moving there.
“But when I found out I could apply for citizenship due to ancestry, I was sold.
“The pace of life, the wine, the food, the energy – all of it, I loved.
“The proximity to other European countries so I could continue on with my travel addiction was a must, too.
“As I had been travelling full-time for six years at this point, so my kids were accustomed to me being off adventuring all the time.
“Instead of buying Christmas or birthday gifts, I’d get them a ticket to see me.”
Cindy now forks out €1,000 a month for a one bedroom apartment.
Her average monthly bills only cost just €360.
She spends her days enjoying Italian coffee, learning the language and buying fresh fruit and vegetables.
While she does still jet back to the US to see her family, the time spent together is more precious.
Cindy added: “We set aside quality time to be a family.
“I don’t think that would be the case if I still lived there full-time.
“I’d advise anyone to take the leap.
“If it doesn’t work out, at least you’ve given it a go.
“The first step is the hardest – after that, the universe takes over.
“This is my one precious life; and I’m living it as wildly as possible.”
