happier
Brooke Shields, 59, has been in the limelight since she starred in the movie “Pretty Baby” at 11.She told Real Simple society is obsessed with youth, but with age comes experience. Here life lessons include not being afraid to age, having strong friendships, and loving yourself.At 59, Brooke Shields doesn’t…
My husband and I went from the US to Berlin for a work opportunity two years ago.Renting in Berlin was incredibly difficult, and the city would get a bit too packed with tourists.We moved south to Dresden and have been so happy with its greenery, architecture, and nightlife.Two years ago,…
Kelly Andrews-Denney is a 44-year-old mother near Portland, Oregon.She taught high school math for 17 years and loved her job until 2020.In 2024, she started working at Costco, and her husband says she looks “lighter” coming home.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kelly Andrews-Denney. It has been…
I got divorced earlier this year, so I’m choosing to be alone this Thanksgiving.I’m excited to do exactly what I want on Thanksgiving, including cooking what I like.After a difficult and emotional year, I’m embracing my solitude.Thanksgiving has always been one of my least favorite holidays. As a formerly homeless…
Randy McCabe left Google, and now he has earned over $1 million in five years on Fiverr.He left corporate jobs due to stress and inflexibility and found balance with freelancing.McCabe shares his four strategies for successfully transitioning from corporate to freelance.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Randy…
Lisa Kauffman was over Florida’s hurricanes and the faster pace of life in the US.In 2023, Kauffman moved to a remote Panamanian island, where she now lives off the grid.Living in Panama has been a “game changer” for Kauffman, who said she’s happier and more relaxed. This as-told-to essay is…
When we first married, I worked full-time, and my husband stayed home.We moved to Europe, and I became a “trad wife,” indulging in homemaking.Being a traditional wife means wanting the best for my husband. My journey to becoming a “trad wife” — or traditional wife — started in 2012 when…
As a night owl, Sophie Daquis felt exhausted by working a rigid 9-to-5 schedule.She started cutting down on social obligations and carving out more time for hobbies.Daquis saved up enough to transition to part-time while starting a YouTube channel. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sophie Daquis,…
Norman Bour nearly lost everything during the 2008 recession when he was living in California.Bour, now 70, and his wife worried about affording retirement in the US and moved abroad in 2019.They choose cheaper countries, including Malaysia, for better healthcare and affordable housing. This as-told-to essay is based on a…
In 2022, Kelle Sparta and her husband, Jeff Brandon, left the US for Boquete, Panama.They were attracted to the town’s affordable living, mild weather, and expat community.Since moving, they say they’re happier, and their lives are much less stressful. On July 14, 2022, Kelle Sparta and her husband, Jeff Brandon,…
