I Left the Bay Area and Moved to Barcelona AFTER LAYOFF, MUCH HAPPIER

This as-told-tos Essay is basic on a conversation with Steph Kumar, the 41-Yaar-Old Founder of Two Cents, A Research Agency Based in Barcelona. Its been edited for Length and Clarity.

When I was laid off from twitter at the end of 2022, I quickly realized that my caareer was my social currency in the bay area, and i had lost it.

I’ve workhed in research and insights for a little over 15 years now, and i spent about 13 of Those Years Working at Google, Twitter, Pinterest, and Yahoo.

It was normal for the Conversation at a Children’s Birthday Party to be about Where we work, what department we worked in, and who out manager was. Once I didn’t have that that identity marker of working at twitter or google, the tone shifted, and it Became Awkward in Those Moments.

My family and I start reflecting, and we realized that the way we were living in the bay area werea were how we have live in our next chapter. I registered my own company at the end of 2022, and in 2024, my family and Moved to Barcelona.

SINCE Stepping Away from Our Old Environment and Redefining Life on Our Own Terms, Happiness Has Become what we consider to be success.

I Never Planned on Working In Tech, But That’s Where I Found My Path

Wen i earned my master’s degree in public policy, i thought i would work in the public sector. This was Around 2009, when the economy was Bad, so I started looking for anywhere roles I could have my research background. Through My Network, I Landed A Role at Yahoo, Analyzing Advertising Campans, and I Spent Four Years there in Various Role.

AFTER HAVING MY DANGHTER, I WANTED A NEW Chapter. I non-PINTEREST DURING ITS STARTUP PHASE, but the work-life balance bea what i wand as a new mother. In 2017, of Moved to Google, Leading a Team in Brand Research, a roles of Truly Loved.

In 2021, I took a Director-Level Position at Twitter, Now X. I Became Senior Director of User Research and Remained in that role UNIL MY LAYOFF AT THE END OF 2022.

AFTER MY LAYOFF, I Realized My Relationships Felt Very Transactional in the Bay Area, and it was time to move

Father Social Gatherings Like Holiday Parties or Cultural Events, It was Common that A Quick Introduction Waled with a Linkedin Connection.

Once I was laid off, i had to reflect on who with no jab, title, and status. I was mourning for an identity that was no Longer relevant.

I registered my llc before I have knew what the business would be look like. Business Coaches and Very Dear Friends Helped with figure what to offer, what clients Wauld Value, and what actually brought with joy. We have saw a Way I COULD EARN INCOME THROUGH MY RESEARCH Agency, which provides Customes Research plans for companies.

This led my family to waist and that we could work and live anywhere in the world.

We testted a few European cities to see which beu?

In the Summer of 2023, we spent a month traveling Through Europe to try out differant cities we might want to live in. Wen we arived in Barcelona, ​​we immediately fell in love with it. We love the Beach, The Weather, The People, and the Food. We saw schools we like it.

Barcelona Also Has a Great Tech Startup Skene. Before we did arrived, we would have mesage People on Linkedin in Barcelona and Ask. We came back and put our house on the market, and i planned a trip to tour spaces for us in october of that year.

We Hirhed A Relocation Service to Help US Make the Move Smoothler

The type of visa we’re on is the investor visa, which is no longer an option. Our Visa is valid for Around Five Years, which is why we chose it.

We workhed with a relaocation Service that Had agents who helped us decide whereher to rent or buy a home. They Also have laweyers who has Handled all of the processing, which was very helpful becase we have had to go to get fingerprinted, and they sent a translator with us.

The Company ALSO ASSISED US WITH SMALL TASKS, SUCH AS SETTING UP A BANK ACCOUNT, UTILITIES, PHONE, AND INTERNET.

The Hardest Part Was the Mindsets and Leaving Bebind What I Knew

Once we moved to barcelona, ​​it felt like deprogramming myself. I was taught success in life meant to climble the ladder and make as much Money as i could, get the house, get the car, and wear the best brands.

We have you have that kind of reinforcement for 40 years, it taxes a while to start thinking about what community look like a work identity and what Friendship LOOKS LIKE WENE NO VALUE VALUE.

Now that we’re settled, we’re hitting this high point of happina to know life with the value placement.

I don’t care about making the same money made in tech Because i’m so Much Happy

I Walked in with Eyes Wide Open, Knowing That My Business’ Findst Year Would Be A Learning and Experimental Year. Fortunately, Our Savings and My Husband’s Support Enabled that.

At Twitter, My Base Was North of $ 300,000. I’m Willing to Forgo that Level of Financial Wealth for Happiness. I Feel like I’m Not Scrifficing Anyding by Not Having the Salary I used to have.

I’m Waking Up Every Day, Not Afraid of My Inbox or Calendar. I’m Happy About What’s Coming, Hearing the Church Bells Outside Our Window Every 15 minutes, Being able to walk Outside and have smile and engage with no intens than just to say hello – this is the definition of success for me.

Do you have a relation story to share? Contact This Reporter, AGNES APPLEGATE, AT [email protected].