Life Update: I Moved to Italy!

Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence, Italy

One year ago, I was solo traveling through Italy—wandering the streets of Verona, gliding through the canals of Venice, and standing in awe beneath Florence’s Renaissance masterpieces. I had no idea that this self-love trip would change my life forever.

Italy wasn’t just a destination; it became the setting for my personal rebirth. After years of healing from trauma, I finally felt alive in a way I hadn’t in years. The art, the history, the beauty of everyday life here—it all awakened something within me. I found myself sketching again, dreaming again, believing in the magic of life again.

And then, as if by fate, I met the man who would become my husband.

From Solo Traveler to Italian Resident (& Bride!)

My husband & I on our wedding day in Florence, Italy

Photo Credit @jamieinitaly

I came to Italy last year on my own, thinking I was simply deepening my relationship with myself. But life had bigger plans. While exploring, I met a man who would completely shift the course of my journey. This past year has been a whirlwind—falling in love, traveling back and forth between California and Italy, getting engaged over the summer, and ending the year by getting married in Florence.

And not just anywhere—at Palazzo Vecchio, the very museum that reignited my passion for art. The very place where I felt my artist soul wake up again became the place where I promised my forever to the guy who stole my heart.

A Year of Rebirth

Bike ride in my new neighborhood of Settignano

I’m now living in Florence, embracing this new chapter with an open heart. There’s something childlike about it all—learning a new language, riding a bike through cobblestone streets, exploring Tuscany’s rolling hills. It’s a reminder that rebirth is possible, no matter what you’ve been through. That there are new beginnings waiting on the other side of healing.

Of course, moving to a new country isn’t without its challenges. There have been difficult moments, adjustments, and lessons in surrender. But through it all, I keep coming back to this: life has more magic than we can ever plan for.

Letting Go & Letting God

Entrance to the historic Italian villa we moved into this winter

If there’s one message I want to share in this podcast episode, it’s this: miracles happen when you surrender control, release the past, and trust that something greater is guiding you.

I never could have scripted this journey for myself. But by letting go of old fears and stepping into the unknown, I’ve found a life beyond my wildest dreams.

So if you’re in a season of uncertainty, longing for something more—know that anything is possible. Your own rebirth may be right around the corner.

Listen to this week’s episode of Live Consciously to hear the full story!