What One Year Of Living In Spain Has Taught Me

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I can hardly believe it. Tonight, I celebrated my one year of living in Spain. Specifically, one year of living in El Campello (a 3 day difference from my 1 year Spain anniversary).

My friend and I went down to the waterfront and had the most wonderful dinner at La Cena to celebrate our 1 year friendship. Garlic shrimp, a bread platter that came with spreads of fresh tomatoes, basil pesto, and garlic aioli, and then we headed a few shops down to the ice cream shop for dessert. It was a warm, balmy night, so we took our time strolling. It was marvelous.

But it got me to thinking. What have I learned in my first year in Spain? How have I changed? What’s different now?

Until I really sat down to think about it, I would have said, “not much”. But after some thought, I’ve actually learned quite a bit, especially about myself.

1. There isn’t much I can’t handle. I might not be great with stress, but I still handle situations every day that many people never have to deal with.
2. I navigate my way around a country where I still don’t speak much of the language.
3. I’ve learned to be social and put myself out there to make new friends. In the States, I was a total introvert.
4. I’ve learned that adventure makes my soul come alive. I don’t mean adrenaline, I just mean seeing new places and trying new things.
5. I’m also realizing that there is such a big world out there that so many never get to see, and I’m lucky enough to see at least part of it. So I’ve also learned to be grateful. My grandmother (a German immigrant) was always grateful for what she called, “her little patch of grass” (her backyard). And I never fully understood what she meant until I came to Spain and got to enjoy the splendor and majesty of this incredibly beautiful country and it’s people.
6. I learned that I can depend on myself in a pinch. Not everyone can say that. But I really put myself to the test by coming here, and I think it’s safe to say, I passed with flying colors.
7. I also feel like my life is back on track again. Like I finally have purpose again. I actually have a plan for me! For my life! It’s been a very long time since I could honestly say that. It feels pretty good.
8. I’ve learned to truly let things roll off my shoulders, as well. I remember when I first got here, there was a woman who didn’t want to be my friend because I carry extra weight and she figured I had no discipline because of it. (Ha! Little does she know!) But things like that have become so minor in the grand scheme of things. If I was still back home in the States, it would have sent me into a dieting tailspin. But I’ve learned that people like that don’t belong in my life. It’s them showing themselves the door (and yes, I’ll say it, taking out the trash), and I’m totally okay with that. I want people in my life who value me for who I am. I have found that here, and it’s amazing.
9. I’ve learned that being lonely is temporary, and never the end of the world. And that if I can flip it and view being alone as something to enjoy, it actually benefits me in many, many ways. So much so that I never really feel lonely anymore. Isolated, sometimes, but never really lonely. I love my own company!
10. I’ve learned that pretty much everything is temporary, and that you should enjoy things while you have them, because the only thing that never changes, is change. It’s one thing you can count on like death and taxes. Change will always happen, and I’m excited to see what those changes bring. That’s a huge shift in mindset for me, and I’m so happy I managed it. I’ve become so much more positive since coming here.

PLANS FOR YEAR TWO!

So what’s ahead for year two? So glad you asked! 😜

September and October 2025 – Work hard! I’ll be focusing hard on getting ahead in work because I have a lot of time coming up where I won’t be able to. So it’s critical that I get ahead now while I can.

November 2025 – Traveling to Italy (Rome, Siena, & Florence) and northern Spain with a friend who will visit from the States.

December 2025 – Fly back to the States for the holidays. Also, get my international driver’s license while I’m there, and bring back boxed mac and cheese for one of my friends here who misses it.

January 2026 – Start driving classes here in Spain so I can finally drive here. My American license expires in two years, so at least I’ll then have my license here. That way, when I head back to the States, I can get an international driver’s license here to drive on back home. (I swear, it makes sense.)

February & March 2026 – Focus on work and start downsizing and organizing for my move north.

April & May 2026 – Get moved up north, and walk the Camino with my friend who will drive up with me when I move.

June – September 2026 – Get acquainted with my new home town. I will be exploring a lot of towns in the area (hopefully with my kiddo) and will have lots to share with you from northern Spain.

September 2026 – Start dating. Ha! That should be an interesting tale to tell… But hey, if I’m gonna move to Europe, why not try to be one of those women who meet their soulmate here? Right? Worth a shot at least. But I’m not holding my breath.

October – December 2026 – Enjoy my first cold season since leaving Maine. I cannot tell you the joy with which I am anticipating this particular stretch of time. I was made for snow!

So that’s pretty much it in a nutshell. What I’ve learned, and what I’ve got planned! I’m definitely looking forward to my next year here in the beautiful country of Spain.