'I left rat race and moved my family to Italy – people ask me if I regret it'
On a typical day, which may involve schedules, work stress, and other commitments, you may wonder what it would be like to give it all up to live a different, calmer life, even if just for a short while. You may pine to move to a new city, or swap the hustle and bustle for countryside. Others dream of studying or living abroad for a year or two.
One mum, named Erica Galbreath, was left fed up with the daily "hustle and bustle" and wanted more adventure for herself, her husband and their three children. She has opened up about her journey after moving her family to Tuscany in Italy from the US. On Instagram, she admitted: "There's wasn't one lightbulb moment. No dramatic epiphany, no perfect timing. Just a quiet knowing that we wanted more. And somehow, Italy felt like the place to find it."
Erica has been sharing updates of her journey on her Instagram page @travelingmuggles. While she has been inundated with support and positivity from others, many people have shared their presumptions about the family's choice to move.
Before moving, Erica shared the "actual unhinged things people have said to me when I tell them I'm moving to Italy".
One question Erica was asked stated: "Aren't you worried about moving your kids there? Don't you think this will be too hard on them!" Erica responded and candidly wrote: "Totally opposite. Say hello to never having active shooter drills again. The US isn't exactly the poster child for safety."
She also noted that when people say that they "can't believe" she signed the children up for a traditional Italian school - and not an English speaking school in Italy - that it is "hands down the best way to learn the language and integrate".
Erica further said people assume that the family is Catholic now, but they aren't. She has also received wild assumptions that she "forced" her husband to move, as Erica said: "He's been here less than a month and feels like this is the home he's always been missing."
The family are enjoying adjusting to their new life. Erica said they given up their car because they are happy to walk and the public transport is good. She noted she doesn't miss the large American coffees and they do not have a tumble dryer - and dry their clothes outside like other Tuscany locals.
"This is something I've wanted since I was a child," she admitted. Erica said her dad travelled for work when she was younger, and she felt inspired. One day she was on a hike and realised she had never fulfilled the dream of living abroad, so after speaking to her family and they decided to move to Italy 30 days later.
She said people have told her she looks happy since the move. Erica added: "I left everything behind, stopped chasing a dream that wasn't mine, and moved my family to Tuscany."
She noted: "We traded in the hustle for slow mornings, good wine and family time in Tuscany."
The family don't plan on moving back to the US any time soon either.
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