Life has a way of guiding us when we’re open to listening. Growing up in Norway, I always had dreams of exploring beyond its borders. In fact, one of my childhood friends told me recently “you were always open and curious”.
Over the years I’ve created visions in my mind that I didn’t fully believe in, however, in 2007, one of my major visions (at that time) was becoming real. Packing up my life in Norway for a new life in a foreign country, with more sun than rain, dazzling blue warm waters, and a total different life than I was used to.
Since then, I’ve been fortunate to live in Cyprus, with a year break to live in Wales, and most recently, Spain, where I’ve spent the last 13 years. I’ve been back and forth to my home country for several reasons, some longer stays, some short visits. Each chapter of my life abroad has been rich with memories, challenges, and incredible growth. It’s been a life worth living – a beautiful adventure that shaped who I am today.
However, over the past couple of years, both subtle and strong signs from the universe whispered “in my ear” that it was time for me to manifest a slightly different life. Over time, these nudges were no longer easy to ignore. As much as I’ve cherished my time in Spain, I realized I had reached a point where my current reality wasn’t in alignment with my future vision.
Following the Signs
Manifestation has always been a cornerstone of my life – both consciously and unconsciously. But recently, I’ve become even more intentional about it because I started to realize, I was holding myself back in more areas than I would admit before. So a few months ago I decided to totally go for a quantum leap in my life – meaning – going 100% in for what I truly desire!
Since I made that committed decision, I’ve been focusing on manifesting my deepest desires – and becoming more and more clear about what I truly want (and don’t want which is just as important), even though I couldn’t quite see how the journey would unfold along the way. I also decided to fully trust the universe would be on my side and guide me, and that the answers would appear when the time was right.
Signs started appearing everywhere: the angel number 1111, visions of vibrant social settings that felt nothing like my current experience, and a deep knowing that my business journey had stagnated. The message was clear – it was time for a quantum leap in my life, upleveling both my lifestyle AND business, and with that realization, I knew that only I could make it happen. To create the life I desired, I knew I had to think and feel differently, and take different actions.
One thing I was certain of was: while I knew change was necessary, returning to Norway wasn’t part of the vision. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Norway except from the colder weather. I craved something new, something that would challenge and inspire me in ways I hadn’t yet experienced.
How I Manifested My New Life
How did I manifest my new life? It started with intention and a shift in mindset. I created new affirmations based on the lifestyle I wanted to build, ensuring each one resonated deeply with my passion and vision for the future. Every new affirmation began with “I love that”, a powerful phrase that instantly connected me to the joy of already having what I desired. I also consciously incorporated switch words, which act like keys to unlock the subconscious mind, and amplify manifestation.
Beyond affirmations, I dived deep into the law of attraction and explored quantum science to better understand how manifestation works on an energetic level.
Each day, I dedicated time to meditate and focus on my desires, knowing the power of clarity and visualization.
Especially morning and night, when I know that the subconscious mind is most open to suggestion, became even more sacred times for me to affirm than ever before; to feel, and align with the life I was creating. These consistent practices helped me bridge the gap between where I was and where I dreamed of being.
But also, when out on my daily walks (my kind of exercise in addition to dancing), I felt it! Every step I took I just knew I was closer to something better.
Why Portugal?
Portugal felt like the effortless answer to my intentions, as if it had been waiting for me all along. The idea of moving there had been quietly brewing for a long time, and when an opportunity presented itself – in Portugal just a couple of weeks ago – for me, everything fell into place.
It wasn’t just Portugal in general that drew me – it was the thought of living in a bigger city, where there’s always something new to explore, rather than settling into a small, quiet town (nothing wrong with that – we all prefer different things for the environment we want). I also played with the idea of seeking employment for security reasons in several ways (biz/work experiences/work advancement opportunity, finances, social, personal/professional growth, etc).
To be 100% honest and transparent, the thought of becoming an employee again didn’t feel very appealing at first – but then I thought – why not try that again?
So, that limiting perspective shifted quickly when I stumbled across a job advertisement in Lisbon (yet another sign from the universe). It offered a basic salary, bonuses, housing, health insurance, and other benefits that made it worth considering…
Don’t tell me I was lucky, because I totally believe we create our own luck (or the opposite). The opportunity came my way because I asked for it (consiously & subconsciously), it was provided to me, and I was open-minded enough to recognize this as a personal and professional growth opportunity.
So, without really expecting much, I decided to apply. To my surprise – as I only applied half-heartedly (again being honest and transparent), things happened more rapidly then I expected. In less than two weeks, I had packed up my life in Spain, boarded a plane, and landed in Lisbon to start fresh.
On 2 December 2024, for the first time since 2016, I became an employee – while continuing to run my own business. It was a leap of faith into the unknown, and one that has already shown me how new beginnings can come together in ways you least expect.
A Week in Portugal: A Promising Start
After just a week in Portugal, I can already say that Lisbon feels like home. I didn’t expect to have so many wonderful experiences in such a short time, from meeting kind and open-hearted people to exploring beautiful places I hadn’t even known existed. Lisbon has proven to be vibrant, welcoming, and full of surprises.
The sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River, the cozy cafés, and the simple joy of walking through Lisbon’s charming streets and parks/green areas have reminded me why this leap of faith was so necessary. I feel inspired, hopeful, and more aligned with my vision than I have in years.
Some of the highlights so far include navigating the Metro system (an adventure in itself – as Metro lifestyle has been foreign to me so far! Yes, have a giggle of my ignorance, it’s okay, haha), enjoying riverfront cafés and restaurants, and visiting iconic spots like the Vasco Da Gama Tower, The Pink Street, and Winter Wonderland Lisbon.
I’ve sipped wine at a gorgeous hotel and its amazing, enclosed bar area (only realizing afterward it was the Hilton!) and found unexpected culinary delights, like exceptional Greek food at Kefi Greek Bistro. Even experiences I don’t usually seek out, like nightclubbing, have added to the magic of this new chapter. Lisbon’s parks, green spaces, shopping malls, and endless opportunities for exploration make every day feel exciting and new.
This first week has been a whirlwind of discovery, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the experiences that have already begun shaping my life here. 1 week in – and I’m really excited about what else will appear.
I’m confident it will be all good, in one way or the other!
Moving Forward
This is only the beginning of my journey here, but I already know it’s the right path. Taking this step wasn’t just about relocating to another country – it was about saying yes to a life filled with possibility, growth, and alignment with the highest version of myself.
As I began my first of two weeks of training for my new job this week, I didn’t fully know what to expect from the position. However, it’s already proving to be far more interesting and challenging at the same time than I initially imagined. The role offers opportunities for growth within the company, which excites me and fuels my sense of purpose in this new chapter.
I know it will take some adjustment to balance the work and business realities I’m now facing, but I’m confident everything will work out just right. Portugal is more than just a new address – it’s a manifestation of my dreams, a fresh start filled with abundance, joy, and endless potential.
Closing Thoughts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this experience, it’s that life rewards us when we listen to our intuition and take bold steps toward our dreams. I can’t wait to see how this new chapter in my life unfolds, and I hope my journey inspires you to follow your own signs and manifest the life you truly desire. You may not want to move country, or city for that matter, however, know that anything is possible as long as you commit whole-heartedly!
Have you ever made a life-changing move? Share your story in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
Disclaimer:
Individual results will vary, and results are NOT guaranteed.
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