Dr. Colleen Crowley, an American psychologist, is taking her own remarkable journey. She’s recently moved with her husband and three kids, from idyllic Montecito, California, to dive head first into all that culturally-rich Spain has to offer. After ten years in California, the family took another large leap. They sold their four bedroom home and dove head first into their European adventure. Dr. Crowley Eagle thinks this move is “amazing and transformative.” She touches upon the transformative impact it has had on her family’s life.
Her group’s decision to move was not taken lightly. Now 16, 13 and 8, Crowley’s children have made the most of their adopted home. They post on social media about how excited they are to have made such an amazing change. “All three of them say, ‘We wish we had done it sooner,’” Crowley shared. The family has taken to the slower Spanish pace like ducks to water. They are learning to navigate its one-of-a-kind cultural landscape.
Dr. Crowley also received a non-lucrative visa for her mother, which means she too can live alongside her in Spain. The elder Crowley now resides in a high-rise flat, with stunning views of the Bay of Biscay. He enjoys the calm beauty of his surroundings and benefits from Spain’s excellent public healthcare system. Dr. Crowley noted that her mother received necessary treatment for health issues while residing there, highlighting her appreciation for the quality of care available in Spain.
While the transition to life in Spain has gone relatively smoothly, it hasn’t been without hiccups of course. As with anything easy it might appear, they’ve found themselves going to battle with the details of Spanish bureaucracy, typically jocularly known as “getting Spained.” They wasted no time settling into the regional calendar. Afternoons transformed into their official time for siesta, a cultural tradition that cultivates rest and recalibration.
Dr. Crowley hasn’t quite conquered the Spanish tongue just yet. Her husband and children have adapted to it much more quickly, on display their awesome metal adaptability. The family has been trying to learn Basque, which Dr. Crowley says is “a very complicated language to master.” From the beginning, they have been intensely focused on developing a deep connection to local culture. This motivates their intent to engage with their adopted community more meaningfully.
Spain has offered plenty of chances for those routines to continue, and getting outdoors has become an important part of daily life. His family time is sought-after, hiking and surfing as a family unit, making the most of this incredible country’s beauty and beaches. That involvement has deepened their family connections and it’s made all of them happier.
Dr. Crowley told us that the move deepened her kids’ global perspective. “There’s a diversification and a worldview that has been monumental,” she stated. She feels that the training and hands-on experience have made them all much more skilled advocates with invaluable skills. Had they remained in California, those viewpoints would have never materialized. She says that seeing her children develop through this transformative period has been a “tremendous source of satisfaction” for Dr. Crowley.
Now that she’s settled in on a pastoral life in Montecito, Crowley described some remorse over their past colonial-style home and community. “It was a wonderful place to raise a family,” she acknowledged. She added in the same breath that it was starting to feel “perhaps a touch too glorious.” She called it “super manicured” and “super restrictive.” This understanding played a large role in their desire to pursue a more fulfilling experience internationally.
Dr. Crowley and her husband are both holders of digital nomad visas. These visas allow them to work remotely in Spain for up to five years. This flexibility not only enables their lifestyle of choice, but helps them stay in close contact with their professional obligations. The couple has taken full advantage of this opportunity, savoring the artistic and lifestyle freedom that living among different cultures and communities has provided.
“To sort of live in different cultures and communities… it felt sort of antithetical to who we are to just reside in one location,” Dr. Crowley remarked. This philosophy espouses the very reason they’re making the decision to go abroad. It reflects their dedication to giving their kids a varied childhood.
As Dr. Crowley embarks on her new adventure in Spain, her commitment to cultivating her family’s joy and development is still with her. That transformative experience has not only liberated their bodies and minds but has beautified their lives in immeasurable ways.
