The One Where I Talk To Full-Time Traveller, Cindy Sheahan
Thrive Solo
Residency Rules and the Challenge of Staying Abroad
Cindy discusses the D7 requirement to be present nine months a year and how that constraint affected her mobility.
My guest on this week's episode of Thrive Solo is the wonderful Cindy Sheehan.
In 2016, Cindy was a married Mum of four when she took a leave of absence from her office job in Colorado and joined two friends to go backpacking on The Kerry Way in Ireland. Little did she know at the time that that trip would be the beginning of a brand new life. By the end of 2017, she had quit both her job and her marriage to become a full-time traveller, and she has since travelled to nearly 50 countries. Cindy has settled in Palermo, Sicily for now, although who knows where life might take her next. Now while she lives a largely solo life, Cindy has a French, paraglider boyfriend — otherwise known as The Frenchman — who lives in France, and although the two of them spend more time apart than they do together, they meet when they can for travelling adventures.
I know that you will love hearing all about Cindy’s solo life and travels. In this conversation she shares her transformative experience of leaving a 30-year marriage to travel the world, settling temporarily in various countries, and eventually obtaining an EU passport through Italian ancestry. She talks about the unique relationship dynamics with her French partner, the challenges and rewards of solo travel, and the profound sense of freedom it brings.
Tune in for inspirational stories, advice on overcoming fears, and a celebration of living a joyful, independent life.
04:54 Cindy's Life Transformation
11:47 The Decision to Leave a 30-Year Marriage
14:35 Support from Family and Solo Travels
17:03 Meeting the Frenchman: A Unique Relationship
23:49 The Joys and Challenges of Solo Travel
28:39 Making Connections While Traveling
31:13 Multi-Generational Friendships
32:11 The Joys of Solo Travel
34:44 Memorable Travel Destinations
36:40 Settling in Europe: Portugal and Sicily
37:29 Navigating EU Residency and Citizenship
44:39 Living in Palermo, Sicily
48:29 Overcoming Solo Travel Fears
54:07 Thriving Solo: Tips and Reflections
57:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Follow Cindy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postsfromaflashpacker/
Check out Cindy's website: https://postsfromaflashpacker.com/
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And thank you so much for listening!
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