Retiring Abroad: Diann Schindler’s Fulfilling Second Act in Portugal ???

A Chance Encounter Leads to an Inspiring Expat Story

Last December, I had the chance to meet someone quite remarkable in Lisbon – Diann Schindler. We met just by chance in a subway car and continued our conversation in a quaint little café in Lisbon, a place vibrating with stories. As we shared our views over cups of warm, comforting Portuguese coffee, her fascinating life journey began to unfold before me.

Diann is an American who decided to settle down in Lisbon. Having dedicated years of her life to academia as a professor in the U.S., she made a major change several years ago – she sold nearly all her possessions and set out to explore the world through extensive travels that eventually led her to Portugal.

Over coffee, Diann opened up about her motivations, experiences, and learnings from her time spent journeying across continents and cultures. Her perspective on solo travel as a journey into oneself was particularly thought-provoking.

As we spoke in that cozy café, it became clear Diann’s story contained valuable insights for anyone considering an unconventional path or seeking a new lens on life. Her parting with academia led her on a voyage far more enriching than any I’d read between two covers. I left our chat pondering the many facets of freedom – feeling curious, inspired, and connected.

Diann's Background as a Professor Turned Traveler

Diann did not originally intend to become a nomadic traveler. In fact, for many years she lived a stable life as a devoted professor in the United States. She had a home, a car, and other possessions one would expect from a tenured academic.

That all changed in 2014 when Diann decided to sell nearly everything she owned, except for a treasured tennis racket and guitar. She left behind her career and material lifestyle in Florida to embark on a new journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Having taught for decades, Diann was ready for a change. She felt drawn to experience more of the world first-hand, beyond what she could learn from books and lectures. Though it was a drastic shift, Diann took the leap to leave her conventional life in America to become a passionate global traveler.

Start of Diann's Travels

Diann began her international travels when she sold her house, car, and most of her possessions in Florida. With a clean slate, she embarked on an odyssey that would take her to 46 countries across 5 continents over the next 4 years.

Letting go of material possessions granted Diann the freedom to explore the far corners of the world. Her itinerary read like a bucket list of exotic destinations.

Diann's four-year journey expanded her worldview and reshaped her definition of home. She formed meaningful connections with locals and fellow travelers that lasted long after she left each country. Though an arduous undertaking, Diann looks back fondly on the adventures, misadventures, and personal growth that started when she first stepped out her front door in 2014.

Diann's Move to Portugal

After years of exploring the world and visiting dozens of countries across multiple continents, Diann found herself drawn mostly to Portugal. She fell in love with the local climate and cultural art options, historic architecture, and relaxed pace of life there. Though she had spent time in many places, something about Portugal just felt right. It was again a change, but Diann was ready for a new chapter.

Once in Lisbon, Diann quickly acclimated to the local lifestyle. She enjoyed long lunches in outdoor cafes, sunset strolls along the Tagus River, and weekend day trips to charming towns like Sintra and Cascais. She traveled and became familiar with other cities, villages, and parts of Portugal, as well. Diann also bonded with the friendly Portuguese people, who welcomed her into their community. She is taking language lessons to improve her Portuguese and made an effort to fully immerse herself in the culture.

Within a few years, Lisbon truly felt like home for Diann. She loved the slower pace of life, the scenery around, and close proximity to so many other European destinations. Portugal had captured her heart. Settling there allowed Diann to lead the lifestyle she wanted, filled with new discoveries, people, and simple pleasures.

Diann's Passion for Writing

As Diann traveled to diverse places and made connections with people worldwide, she discovered a love for writing about her experiences. Putting her adventures, own memories, thoughts, and insights into words made them come alive in a lasting way.

Diann shared how narrating her journeys on paper gave them a tangible form that she could revisit anytime. Each travelogue she penned contained valuable perspectives that she had gained while living and meeting people from different cultures.

Writing became the passion and outlet for Diann to crystallize the essence of her voyages across continents. Currently, Diann is working on publishing her 4th book!

Diann's Perspective on Solo Travel

Another thought-provoking highlight from our conversation was Diann's perspective on solo travel. She saw solo travel as an enlightening journey into oneself. Spending extended periods alone in foreign places led her to profound introspection and self-discovery.

According to Diann, solo travel allows you to focus inward, take stock of your life, and gain clarity without the distractions of home. You're able to let your guard down, tune into your inner voice, and confront aspects of yourself you may usually avoid. Solo travel can be a transformative experience that shifts your self-perception and outlook in meaningful ways.

Diann found solo travel particularly liberating as a woman exploring alone. She spoke of how free it felt to make her own path and choose her adventures each day, not beholden to anyone else's preferences, expectations, or schedules. Diann felt a gratifying sense of independence, confidence, learning, and self-reliance from navigating new places on her own terms.

Overall, Diann's perspective on solo travel as a journey into oneself was particularly stirring. Her account illuminated how extended solo travel can ignite introspection, self-discovery, and personal growth. According to Diann, the inner rewards of solo travel and what you learn about yourself make it an additional unique adventure.

Diann's Outlook on Freedom

Another thought-provoking part of our discussion centered on Diann's viewpoint that freedom is not confined to a geographical area, but rather a state of mind that allows one to lead the life they desire. She explained how years of traveling and relocating didn't just mean shifting houses for her - it was about embracing a new way to experience life itself. Diann believes freedom is defined by having the agency to make choices that enable you to live in alignment with your values and passions. Location plays a secondary role.

Her own transformative journey stands as a testament that we all have the freedom to live anywhere we choose. It's simply a matter of envisioning the possibilities beyond the obvious. Diann's willingness to take risks and make unconventional choices encourages others who may feel unsure or curious about chasing this type of freedom.

Her outlook underscores that it's the state of mind, not the state on the map, that matters most when it comes to leading a fulfilling life true to oneself.

Key Takeaways

Diann's life story highlights how we all have the freedom to live life on our own terms, regardless of location. Despite societal pressures and conventional thinking, Diann boldly chose to sell all her possessions and embark on years of international travel and discovery. She found great happiness immersing herself in diverse cultures, learning new languages, and forging new friendships across the globe.

Now calling Portugal home, Diann continues embracing her passion for writing and adventure. Diann encourages us to see the possibilities in shaping a lifestyle not bound by geography or possessions. Instead of living reactively, we can proactively create the life we want.

Diann's courage to explore the world on her own terms, all while finding joy and purpose along the way, inspires others to consider what is truly meaningful to them. Her story shows that with an open mind, we can discover beauty wherever we are. We all have the ability to lead deeply fulfilling lives in alignment with our values. Though the unknown may seem daunting at first, taking that initial leap of faith can put us on an incredible journey.

Register for the Upcoming Interview Event with Diann

I'm excited to announce that I'll be hosting a live 1:1 interview event with Diann on January 31 at 12 pm EST! This will be an incredible opportunity to hear more of Diann's fascinating story and ask her your own questions.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to register soon to secure your spot. Here are the details:

Date:?Monday, January 31Thusrday, February 1st, 6 p.m. EST

Where:?The interview will be hosted on my Restream using interactive video software. All you need is an internet connection to join!

Registration:?Click here to register for the event and receive the access link. Make sure to register by January 31st!

I hope you can make it to this special event. It's not often you get to hear directly from such an inspiring world traveler like Diann. Come ready with your questions - I'm sure you'll leave feeling motivated!