Less Is More
I sold almost everything I owned on Facebook Marketplace, packed my bags, and moved back home to Curaçao.
It sounds impulsive, but it wasn’t. Florida had been a beautiful chapter of my life. I moved there to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Business & Organizational Leadership and I loved the convenience, the big roads, two-day Amazon shipping, and the endless opportunities at my fingertips. But somewhere along the way, I began questioning the price of having everything instantly available.
Life was constantly moving. Go, go, go. Produce more. Achieve more. Bigger, faster, better. And I started asking myself: To what end? When do we slow down enough to actually enjoy the life we are working so hard to build?
Coming back home to Curaçao after my studies showed me that less is more. My mornings can be slow; sipping my tea, listening to the birds, walking my dog, and working remotely on my own schedule. I can hike twice a week, snorkel at sunset on Fridays, spend time with family, prioritize my nutrition and fitness, and get enough sleep to wake up rested.
The island’s nature keeps me grounded and reminds me that life is not only about doing, but also about simply being. Freshly caught fish, island-grown produce, coconut water, and the slower rhythm of island life are the little simple things that bring me joy and make it easy to prioritize how I feel aside from what I accomplish.
Curaçao isn’t perfect, though. Things can take longer, imports have to make their way here, roads and stores are smaller, and patience is part of the lifestyle. We call it “island time.” But that is probably part of the beauty.
I moved to the States chasing success, but over the years I realized that anything costing me health or peace of mind is simply too expensive. So “success” was redefined: it isn’t just about achievement – it’s having the health, freedom, and time to actually enjoy it. Curaçao showed me that such a life is possible and that it’s one decision away.
Today, through immigration consulting, I help those who feel that same pull toward a different kind of life navigate the process of making Curaçao their home too.