Moving, fears, and conscious risk

We have been living in Spain for a year and a half now. And, you know, if someone had told me two years ago that I was really moving, I probably would have laughed.

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I remember this conversation with my wife. She said then: "I don't want to live in Estonia anymore, let's go to Spain?" And in my head immediately: "How is that? What's in there? What about the language? And taxes, real estate, documents?"

So many questions, and most importantly, the fear of the unknown.

It's a strange feeling when the brain already understands that the step is logical, that it will give more opportunities, but the body literally freezes. Like, "Let's think a little more," "What if there's a better moment later?" are classic brain tricks when it's scary to go beyond the boundaries of the familiar.

But we decided. The first six months were hard. A new environment, a new culture, a longing for a familiar way of life. Anyone who has moved knows that the adjustment period is always difficult.

At this point, the most important thing is the environment. People who speak the same language as you (not necessarily literally). Someone who understands what you're going through and supports you. We found these guys, and it helped a lot. Now we have 8 families, we are friends, we communicate, we arrange meetings, we play board games – and it fills life.

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But most importantly, this step has changed my attitude to risk.

Previously, the risk seemed to be something frightening. Something to avoid. Because if you can take the safe path, why complicate it?

But now I understand that there is no growth without risk.

It's the same in investments. When you don't understand how the market works, its cycles, the impact of liquidity and macroeconomics, everything seems chaotic. And it's scary to invest money.

But when you start to figure it out, the risks stop being scary. They become a tool. When you know how to control them, you can not just defend yourself, but use them for your own good.

So yes, I don't regret moving. And I don't regret investing in this market. I am sure that all the most interesting things are ahead, for at least 20 years.

Did you have something that you didn't decide on for a long time, but eventually you took a step and it changed your life dramatically? Let's share stories.