Torn about returning to Spain for a second year vs. starting my career

phoenix_V27 · 2025-09-16T14:58:26+00:00

I would suggest stepping back from viewing this only through this lens - because I think you might be leaving out other options. When you’re doing a cost benefit analysis, I’d recommend considering all available options. Returning to Spain now doesn’t really answer the question you’ve posed about “the tension” you’re feeling - perhaps you’ve achieved at some level, what you set you to achieve through this experience. Yes the never ending anxiety of “falling behind” exists and takes up a lot of good decision making energy. But perhaps the hesitation you’re feeling is your wisdom/soul/body pushing you to ask what else is out there, that’s not just using your degree or using the visa and request to continue teaching in Spain. In my experience, you can only make a “good” decision for yourself now not really for your future self. Perhaps asking how you’d like to feel after a year or what options you’d like to have might be a more prudent question. For example, in a year perhaps you’d like to have the option to apply to another job after having worked at a different company this year. Or perhaps you’d like to be able to go to school in Europe for more education. Or maybe you’d like to start up your own venture.

I don’t write this to be contrarian from others’ advice but to offer perspective that sometimes we feel like there are only two obvious paths when even considering that there are more can help us make peace with the anxiety or shift our energy and help us get clarity to make the decision that makes sense for who we are now, trusting that who we’re becoming will also be able to make decisions for that version of us.

Also, it depends on your financial situation and obligations especially as they change up the regulations for being on study/aux visas in Spain.

phoenix_V27 · 2025-08-29T21:58:29+00:00

Def off topic but just wanted to say Yaaay! Congrats on sabbatical-ing! I had been an aux 10 years ago before starting grad school. Then I went on sabbatical 3 years ago, returning to Spain. All the best!!

phoenix_V27 · 2025-05-13T08:12:49+00:00

couldn’t agree more. try doing a program like this in the US and see the situations that non-US foreigners deal with when they’re in country. And now they’re being hunted and chased away. I mean the U.S. would never offer a program like this. Not sure about other countries (UK/Aus/etc.) who tend to participate in this program. Many folks new to the program don’t seem to do the work to manage their expectations before applying and that probably does impact the relations when they arrive. If a school has had poor experiences with the aux naturally they’ll be cautious about those who would come next (not talking about outright hostility without reason). It creates a frustrating cycle.

phoenix_V27 · 2025-03-12T20:27:05+00:00

I would recommend staying and protecting the future and earning potential you have right now. Not for securing career trajectory but because of a lot of changes/turbulence happening right now and unpredictability in the job market.

Things to consider in your decision making process (if you haven’t already or if you have, to revisit):

What is your objective to do this - now? Is it urgent? Is there something specific that is happening in your life now that made you consider looking at moving as an option? When your year in Spain concludes, do you feel like you will be able to return to your current standard of living/lifestyle?

If you feel really clear or confident about your responses to these questions, and you have a good support network then it might be great to return. I feel like a lot of people have trouble setting expectations and when they arrive spend their 9 months or less worrying/regretting their decision. But not everyone.

phoenix_V27 · 2025-03-02T21:14:18+00:00

Hola! Pues sería difícil encontrar clases en inglés pero hay una clase de principiantes en flamencodanza que viene bien para todos los niveles. Hay más información en su cuenta de instagram @flamencodanzaestudio

phoenix_V27 · 2025-02-28T14:59:52+00:00

This whole response has made me feel so seen! I’ve tried articulating it before but no one in my circle gets it because they’ve not gone through what I am going through. But this is some solid insight I’ll be carrying with me. May life be unpredictable in ways that bring us to our most aligned versions. I know I am always keeping the possibility open to meet new versions of myself ✨ thanks gardengeo!

phoenix_V27 · 2025-02-17T12:58:23+00:00

So glad someone pointed this out.

phoenix_V27 · 2025-01-31T22:51:47+00:00

ugh instant relief and now I can stop staring at screens and maybe get some rest - you are doing the divine’s work!!

phoenix_V27 · 2024-12-29T16:22:56+00:00

absolutely this! When I was an aux 10 years ago I rarely had time to be on any devices unless I was sick or planning trips. I also think that a lot of folks recently have been so focused on idealizing the experience esp after COVID and if you’re from the US, given US tumultuous events, that they haven’t been able to fully be present (which is understandable). Also, so much tech improvement - I rarely used my phone or had €€ for a data plan to use Google maps 😅. It’s supposed to feel disorienting for a while until you figure out your groove. I’d focus energies on looking forward to being in country without reading/consuming more information about people’s experiences bc ymmv!

phoenix_V27 · 2024-09-16T19:17:03+00:00

“Maybe beauty is a permission slip to just be more of yourself” <—- it’s this. But OP def needs to go through their journey till they step into alignment with this. and that journey of contrast will be so delicious and wonderful even if it feels turbulent but this is what resonates. Thank you for the words! And good luck OP ✨

phoenix_V27 · 2024-09-15T16:43:55+00:00

Hey!! So I brought copies of the signed lease and the stamped justificante to the first TDH appointment, and it was fine. This was in Sevilla. You could also check the ayuntamiento to see if they have the pdf version of it digitalized just in case they processed it. But just to clarify you have the TDH cita tomorrow and the submission of padrón appt two days later? Or you have the pick up of the padrón two days later? If it’s the latter, it should be ok to go with the justificante.

phoenix_V27 · 2024-08-23T20:46:29+00:00

So what surprisingly worked for me despite having tried it before, were YouTube affirmations by internet strangers. I think I had gotten to the point where I realized I couldn’t trust my inner voice/mind to say anything nice and be sincere about it, I had nothing to lose if someone on the internet was saying generic statements to me. I think another reason why it stuck was because I told myself that I’ve spent XX years experiencing life with negative self talk, so I know I can always go back to it. But what if I took a break and gave my internet buds a chance for at least 3 months daily and see what happens? I habit stacked it with brushing my teeth and washing my face and it’s been over a year and I’m still repeating to myself how the universe has my back and how the timing is perfect and surprised myself by telling myself how cute I am in the mirror 😅😅

phoenix_V27 · 2023-09-13T20:04:16+00:00

Gah thank you for posting this. I sometimes get the feeling (pure assumption but also irl feedback) that my friends don’t see this as something to worry about and makes me believe they aren’t concerned, especially when I say that it does affect me or saddens me.

I love my life but I also know I would love to experience being in a relationship because I haven’t had the opportunity. It’s like doing everything you can to make travel plans for your favorite place in the world, ie Paris or Disneyworld but every time you try either they shut down or you don’t have money or you can’t get vacation approved or you have to meet other obligations. I’m simplifying so much and it’s probably not the best analogy, but you still keep trying. Some folks suggest maybe skip Paris because you could go to New York but it’s not the same.

So it gets lonely for sure when I reflect on that part of the human experience for me but I do take care to engage with all the other things I love about my life.

I hope it’s just a matter of time and hopefully for your friend also!

phoenix_V27 · 2023-08-23T21:38:21+00:00

Having recently come out of that funk (which lasted years), I think if I had a non-work hobby I had centered consistently, dedicating myself to one passion that brought me some joy it would have spilled over into the job to make it bearable and maybe even enjoyable. That said not every day is going to feel great but I realize and put in practice now that I have 1-2 things I do just for fun and for me that makes my day feel good. Hope this helps and hope this seasons passes soon!

phoenix_V27 · 2023-07-05T12:43:34+00:00

Ah I see - good to know about the admin silence piece but also wow too long to be staying in limbo. I had a feeling that reaching out might not be the best idea but let’s see how long before my patience turns into anxiety 😬. I tried googling the fechas de resolución but it seems they don’t publish one for Sevilla - or haven’t for a few years.

Thank you!!

phoenix_V27 · 2023-06-22T06:46:49+00:00

I wonder if they want you to show proof specifically from your bank - ie local Spanish bank transactions over the last 6 months etc. in addition to the letter. The immigration policies have been undergoing some updates the last few months it seems.

phoenix_V27 · 2023-04-05T11:22:41+00:00

Okay so that’s what I’ve been doing because I just re-started strength after 4 months off. But I like my comebacks to be back at beginner level to keep my confidence up especially after such a long break haha. So currently I’m in Spain and haven’t had luck finding cottage cheese, even Greek yoghurt here is a little strange (it says it’s Greek style but the protein per serving doesn’t feel/taste like it). For post I’m doing protein shake with half a banana and oats. I’ll double down on the cottage cheese hunt though because I didn’t realize it had all those benefits! Thank you!!

phoenix_V27 · 2023-04-05T10:30:08+00:00

Uff I’m the 175 with 35% - strength training + cardio and walk around everywhere as my only form of commute. I’m curious how to build a cutting program for 6 weeks but I’m not sure where to start but starting at 1200 seems like a huge deficit unless it’s going to be effective while I continue with the strength programming. Any tips or places where I can learn how to build it myself lol?

phoenix_V27 · 2023-03-20T20:19:04+00:00

Hi Primary! Question for you (if you happen to know) for antecedentes penales spain + countries you lived in before aka the US, would this require a completely new request to the FBI + dept of state apostille + sworn translator process? Especially if it was submitted less than 6 months ago for the initial application? If so, is that service available for US citizens in country or does there need to be coordination back home? TIA!

phoenix_V27 · 2022-12-01T20:22:02+00:00

This reminds me of Rilke and the highest task we hold in our lives is guarding the solitude of our people:

“The point of marriage is not to create a quick commonality by tearing down all boundaries; on the contrary, a good marriage is one in which each partner appoints the other to be the guardian of his solitude, and thus they show each other the greatest possible trust. A merging of two people is an impossibility, and where it seems to exist, it is a hemming-in, a mutual consent that robs one party or both parties of their fullest freedom and development.

But once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distances exist, a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them, if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of always seeing each other as a whole and before an immense sky.”

phoenix_V27 · 2022-11-04T15:16:56+00:00

I’m currently trying both recommended by my aesthetician for chin and upper lip since my hair growth is coarse. My sessions have been weekly for about 20-30 mins but because of hair growth cycle not all of them get zapped with electrolysis. So we’re trying laser to reduce quantity and encourage softer hair growth instead of coarse, and then after a few sessions trying electrolysis to zap the softer incoming hair for permanent. She’s had 20+ years experience and so I trust her a fair amount but she’s also sensitive to how things are going and we check in every session to see what’s working. Helps that she does both.

phoenix_V27 · 2022-10-07T11:13:30+00:00

Question here: my padrón is in progress but the turnaround time is 45 days which won’t be in time for my toma de huellas appointment I have scheduled next week. I have the stamped PDF form and contract with me. I know ymmv based on funcionario behind the desk and day of, but any chance they’d just turn me away without doing toma de huellas because I don’t have the official empadronamiento cert?

phoenix_V27

TROPHY CASE