Change isn't easy in your late 30's: A life update

We are back!

After a challenging life change and months of inside-out exploration to find clarity and direction in my career, within my new life, I am ready to continue sharing with you.

This episode is an unscripted life update after a major overseas move and a turbulent year. It hasn't been the picture-perfect sabbatical you often see on Instagram, but that's where the real insights come from. I will be unpacking what it took to choose a direction without a clear plan, but for now, let's start with some high level reflections, especially as so many of us navigate change and uncertainty.

Thanks to everyone who listened to the last episode Unemployment: creativity boost or a killer? Even though it's been a few months, I can't give you a definite answer yet since I am still in the midst of change. However, I can certainly share the insights I am experiencing during this process.

This is just a quick update to open the door to all the career topics we will uncover this second season on Creative Career Thinking!

Thank you for being part of it.

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Transcript

Episode Transcript  (summary)

Change Isn’t Easy in Your Late 30s: Life update

Welcome back to another season of the podcast! It’s been a few months since my last episode, Unemployment: Creativity Boost or a Killer?, where I reflected on quitting my job at Getty Images and leaving the U.S. to make a major life change. It was a decision that wasn’t easy but ultimately necessary. I left behind the place I’d called home for over 13 years in California, and as much as I loved my job, I knew it was time to make a bigger shift.

Thank you to everyone who listened to the last episode. It really resonated with many of you, and it’s been the most downloaded episode so far. This tells me that we’re all navigating similar uncertainties, and I’m grateful for the shared experience.

For those of you who are new to the podcast, here’s a quick recap of my journey: I moved to the U.S. from Barcelona with very little understanding of the language and culture, but with a desire to immerse myself in something new. It was a tough start, but over time, I carved out a space for myself in the American job market, working my way up to companies like Disney. I spent eight years there before transitioning to Getty Images, where I had the privilege of working with the Creative and Editorial teams as an HR Business Partner for the U.S. and LATAM regions.

However, my last year in the U.S. felt off. There was a mismatch between where I was and where I wanted to be—personally and professionally. After over a decade in the States, I decided to return to Spain, starting over with no clear plan.

Now, I’m based in Madrid, and it’s been an intense year of transition. In the past 12 months, I’ve moved three times, which feels like a symbolic part of my journey of change and self-discovery. I initially called this time my “unemployment year,” but in reality, it hasn’t fit into any neat category—career break, sabbatical, unemployment… nothing really made sense.

It’s been a year of healing, self-reflection, and transformation. I’ve struggled physically and psychologically, especially without a concrete plan—something that’s hard for someone like me who thrives on strategies, plans and goals. But through moving, experiencing new things, and listening to what felt right, I’ve found a direction again. I’m proud to have given myself the space to figure it out.

As of now, I’m working with an American studio here in Madrid, which feels like the perfect opportunity at the right time. But I’m not going into too much detail about that just yet, as I’m also focused on publishing my upcoming book, Networking When You Don’t Like to Network.

Leaving LA and returning to Spain has validated many of the things I envisioned for myself. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I now see that it was the right one. LA will always be home, but home is something we understand differently as we grow.

Going forward, I plan to release one episode a month. In addition to my main job, I’m doing workshops through Creative Career Thinking and writing materials to support early-career creatives.

Networking When You Don’t Like to Network is a project I’ve been working on for three years. It’s inspired by my experience navigating my career in the U.S. without a network. I realized that what worked for me wasn’t the typical transactional networking approach. This book is about the kind of organic networking that I naturally gravitated toward. I’m excited to finally get it out there, even though I sometimes feel like it could have turned out better.

Thank you for sticking with me. I know my podcasting skills might be a bit rusty, but I’m grateful for those of you who are still here, supporting me along the way.

Change isn’t easy at any age, but sharing our stories helps us learn from each other and equips us with the tools to navigate the challenges that come with it. I’m looking forward to bringing you more insights and stories in the upcoming season.

Thank you so much for being here, and I’ll see you in the next one!