Moving Abroad Is Hard

I've decided to bump these letters down to once per week, switching to a journal format. This way, you get a more direct look into the ups and downs that I’m navigating on a week-by-week basis.

Today's letter is a long one, but trust me, it's worth the read.

Why? Because it's a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and life lessons.

It's about facing legal mazes, navigating love, and confronting the fog of life's grey areas. All while staying rooted in hope and growth.

Ready? Let's roll.

I'm going to be completely honest with you. This past week has been a test.

You might have seen on LinkedIn that I'm planning to move to Spain. If not, well, you know now.

I was set on it, until...

Last time, I told you about my arrest years ago for growing cannabis. That's haunting me now.

My ACRO form, essentially a detailed criminal background check required for my Spanish visa, shows this arrest.

I've been in talks with multiple lawyers.

One shot me down right away. No visa, they said.

Another was hopeful. She even said, "We've sorted visas for people with much worse records than yours." Sounded good, so we proceeded.

After dropping £1,500, I finally spoke with the firm's Spanish office.

I'd been waiting three weeks for that ACRO form, less than the 8-week wait they warned me about. I excitedly shared the news with my Spanish lawyer.

"I've got my ACRO form," I told her. "You know about my record, right?"

She didn't...

Turns out, the London office never passed along my history to their Spanish counterpart. If they had, they would have told me not to even apply.

The rules are clear: You need a clean slate for the past 5 years to get a Spanish visa. Not the "over 2 years" bullshit I was told.

Nice one...

So here I am, sipping coffee in a Liverpool café, stuck.

I'm already in over £4,000 for a place in Spain that I can move into, but without a visa I can't stay any longer than 90 days.

The rental term is a 6 month commitment...

My girlfriend Beth quit her NHS job to join me as a VA.

I am in a clusterfuck, my friends.

But I'm calm.

I'm okay.

Years ago, this would've led to a spiral of substance abuse. Not now.

I attribute this peace to over 120 hours of therapy, coaching, and spiritual practise.

I've emptied my emotional baggage, making it easier to face hard times.

Life's a bitch, even when good things are happening.

My problems? They come from a place of having options.

For now, it's back to brainstorming.

So many choices, so little caffeine...

What's my next move?

Even I'm on the edge of my seat.

Stay tuned, it's going to be one hell of a ride.

Spain or not, I'll find my way.

If this letter makes you think about emptying your own emotional baggage, feel free to book a free call with me: www.thefreedomsolution.com/apply

Loving you, Dan