A woman who was tired of her "boring" life has revealed how she divorced her husband, quit her job, and left her children to move 5,000 miles across the globe. After ending her 30-year marriage, Cindy Sheahan decided it was time for a fresh start. She initially traveled to six new countries over three months, but upon returning home, she realized her old life no longer suited her.
Cindy, 64, finalized her divorce, left her job of 20 years as a realtor, and moved away from her four children, all in their 20s, to relocate to Palermo, Italy. For the first time, she feels free from the roles of daughter, wife, and mother. "It's been so freeing," she said. "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 and grandkids. But I had to stop being small and begin living the large life I deserved."
A Life of Routine
Her previous life involved shuttling kids to activities, working full-time, and being a wife. While not unhappy, she realized something needed to change after her youngest graduated high school. "I finally came up for air and realized it was time to move on," she explained. "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. Several friends had been diagnosed with cancer and died in their early 50s. My own mortality became crystal clear."
The Journey Begins
In 2016, Cindy took a sabbatical to visit Italy, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. Upon returning, she quit her job, sold her belongings, and traveled with just a backpack to 14 countries, including Laos, Nepal, Turkey, Croatia, France, China, and Vietnam. But Palermo captured her heart. "I had never really considered moving there," she said. "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 for my travel addiction was a must. My kids were accustomed to me adventuring full-time. Instead of buying gifts, I'd get them a ticket to see me."
Life in Italy
Cindy now spends €1,000 a month on a one-bedroom apartment, with monthly bills around €360. She enjoys Italian coffee, learns the language, and buys fresh produce. She still visits the US to see family, valuing quality time together. "I don't think that would be the case if I still lived there full-time," she added. "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."
