Year in Italy

[NewYearsRevolution2020]

If you were mid 40's (OK, late) no children, no mortgage/house as rent, no partner, no significant private pension (just state contributions but have a 'nest' pension which I could contribute to for part of the year, no fixed career but some freelance work and were offered a year in Italy working in an art-based place (excellent international reputation, paid internship about 1200 euro a month) would you be unreasonable to go?

My head says knuckle down here and do the sensible thing. My heart which I have not listened to for a long time says go. Have one last fling with the world before you come back and settle down and do the mortgage/pension/9-5 job thing.

I would get Italian language classes, too. It is in the area of my career and would be very good experience.

I am feeling old, tired and jaded. AIBU to say yes to it?

What would make you say no in my situation?

why not? but what is your work over here? Because you dont sound that financially stable. After 1 year - how would it help you in work back here?

I have some interest in the arts world in the uk and it is stuffed full of young people who dont "need" to work, hence salaries are either very low or non -existent. So the Italian experience might not lead to better paid work here. And in your late 40's would you get good work again?

I owned a property in Italy for a while. After several years the magic paled. But initially it was a gorgeous place to be and to live.

@PooWillyBumBum what is a savings rate?

open toad may be a delicacy in the more remote parts of Calabria, who knows but I did mean open road.

DO it! You will get your mojo back and be all the more fired up to crack on and do the sensible thing when you get back. You only live once, life is short, take the trip, say yes, experience everything life has to offer.

I'm mid 50s and I'd go. You're not old and if you're feeling tired and jaded, a year in Italy could be just what you need.

Good luck!

And then I keep thinking its Florence. Firenze. With the art galleries and Tuscan hills. Working in a library of European culture. Learning Italian. Late warm evenings sitting outside a restaurant.

I 'm frightened I 'd never return

I have kids, job , mortgage and husband and I’ll still do it 😂 I blooming love Italy and hoping to retire there 👍good luck 👍

@spongedog See, you are being practical which I like. But the whole point of these things is to hit that sweet spot of staying long enough to indulge the fantasy but not too long for normal life stuff to kick in, isn't it? A year sounds about right. I agree on the arts stuff jobs here but my field is more administrative/tech related.

My thoughts are that even if I come back and do a routine office job, I have still had at least one year in that environment in Italy.

and maybe learnt some of the language

If you've no ties and no job, sounds like the worst that can happen is you don't like it and you can come home and pick up where you are now. Or you'll love it - love the language, the people, the job, the food - meet a gorgeous Italian - buy a house in Tuscany ... who knows?
If I could go anywhere in Europe it would be Paris, or Florence or Venice - but that's me being very influenced by cuisine and language skills.

Yes, I can do 6 months somewhere else aswell. Thought about Paris or Geneva

Do it for sure, I would in your shoes, you have years left to settle down should you wish. Never stop dreaming...

I spent a year in Italy when much younger and it was life changing and wonderful and I will never forget it.

The food. I would put back on all the weight I have tried so hard to lose.

So, really you don't all think I am too old?

Struggling to see any reason why you would turn it down.

So it is Florence. Oh, definitely go for it ... one of the most beautiful cities in the world. History seeping out of every stone. The Uffizi. Spring in Tuscany. Nipping into Santa Maria Novella for a free squirt of scent.
Where are you living now that's so much better?

@BeardofZeus percentage of take home our income we save in any given month/year. The only reason I track it is we hope to retire early and it’s what drives how soon that can happen!

Do it. What use are savings if you have no life. You're a long time dead

You're in your 40s, get a grip woman!

Oh my god please go!! Re-read your post "giving up on your dreams" why?!!! You're in your 40s, you're still young!! Please do this for yourself

Well, very late 40's but yes technically that's true.

Wow! I wish I was you!

GO, GO, GO!!!!

Our lives on Earth are so short. Seize this opportunity with both hands.

Don't even think twice. Arrivederci!

@poowillybumbum spend some money. Have some fun. One or both of you might drop dead or have a stroke tomorrow.

You are not too old. You are in your prime. Like Jean Brodie without the dodgy politics! An experience like this is wasted on the young. At 20, you'd have been homesick for some spotty boyfriend - or shy - or glued to your phone instead of soaking it all up.
And a pasta diet didn't do Sophia Loren any harm.