Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I'm getting really personal today and sharing my honest thoughts about America after traveling the world for 2.5 years and living in Spain for the past 9 months. As an American expat, this is how I see the USA vs Europe. Leaving America to travel abroad in other countries was not a political decision. This isn't about bashing my home country of the United States - it's about the beautiful perspective that comes from experiencing different ways of life. I'll share what I genuinely love and miss about American culture, while also talking about the eye-opening differences I've experienced while living abroad. Things like the slower pace of life, the approach to work-life balance, and yes, the cost of living differences that have honestly surprised me. Travel has given me such gratitude for both what I had at home and what I've discovered abroad. Whether you're American, thinking about traveling, or just curious about different cultural perspectives, I hope this resonates with you.
๐ฟ Want more calm and clarity in your day?
Visit connieriet.com for free access to mindfulness tools, uplifting podcasts, and a full library of 30+ guided meditations.
๐ FREE Step-by-Step Building a Capsule Wardrobe connieriet.com/build-a-capsule-wardrobe
๐ฆ FREE Decluttering Tips PDF connieriet.com/decluttering-tips
๐ง Discover Connieโs podcast, Mindful Simplicity: A Mindful Life with Connie Riet โ a space for slowing down, reconnecting, and finding peace in the everyday.
Listen and follow on Spotify โ open.spotify.com/show/46kMTaqGHveqKPY6IxUD8d
๐ Cultivate happiness and create the life you want with Connie's Happiness Journal.
A positivity journal with insightful prompts to gain clarity and actionable ways to increase joy and peace. The Happiness Journal is available on Amazon in hardcover and paperback.
Paperback amazon.com/dp/B0DHPP8K42
Hardcover amazon.com/dp/B0DHPP8K42
~ Other Videos You May Enjoy
Why we're leaving the USA. youtu.be/3eInt_I0CoU
I got rid of everything I own youtu.be/t3me_Kr4y2s
My minimalist life fits in a suitcase youtu.be/m5DOKhnWvas
~ What I'm Wearing
Linen Tunic short sleeved amzn.to/4jDgYjt
Spanish tunic dress amzn.to/44ngJDy
Black zip-up sweater amzn.to/46lnk0J
Cashmere v-neck sweater amzn.to/3fZOPIM
Charcoal hiking pants quick dry amzn.to/4faelnm
Skort quick dry sage amzn.to/3AJ7rXx
Danner trail running shoes amzn.to/41XCkPR
Felt western hat. amzn.to/3d97x
Danner boot amzn.to/4dWHzFA
~ Website connieriet.com
~ Spotify open.spotify.com/show/46kMTaqGHveqKPY6IxUD8d
~ Meditations connieriet.com/guided-meditations
~ Instagram instagram.com/connieriet
~ Facebook facebook.com/riet.connie
~ YouTube youtube.com/@ConnieRiet
Affiliates:
Aura app FREE 30 day guest pass using the link below.
aurahealth.io/refer/aura-49iio/guest-pass
Amazon - I may receive a small compensation for qualifying products as an Amazon affiliate.
Disclaimer: This is a channel intended to educate, inspire and support you on your personal journey towards inner peace. Connie is not a psychologist or a medical doctor. If you are suffering from any psychological or medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.
#liveabroad #usa #america #leaveamerica #leftamerica #leftusa #expat #liveabroad #realityofusa #expatlife #usavseurope #americanexpat #connieriet #moveawayfromamerica #cultershock #reversecultershock #usacultershock #healthcare #usacostofliving
00:00 seeing the USA from the outside
01:44 what I love about the USA
03:44 slower pace in other countries
04:40 stores not always open
05:43 work life balance
06:24 various definitions of success
07:36 cost of living
08:33 health care
10:51 quality of food
11:40 what travel has taught me
I'm getting really personal today and sharing my honest thoughts about America after traveling the world for 2.5 years and living in Spain for the past 9 months. As an American expat, this is how I see the USA vs Europe. Leaving America to travel abroad in other countries was not a political decision. This isn't about bashing my home country of the United States - it's about the beautiful perspective that comes from experiencing different ways of life. I'll share what I genuinely love and miss about American culture, while also talking about the eye-opening differences I've experienced while living abroad. Things like the slower pace of life, the approach to work-life balance, and yes, the cost of living differences that have honestly surprised me. Travel has given me such gratitude for both what I had at home and what I've discovered abroad. Whether you're American, thinking about traveling, or just curious about different cultural perspectives, I hope this resonates with you.
๐ฟ Want more calm and clarity in your day?
Visit connieriet.com for free access to mindfulness tools, uplifting podcasts, and a full library of 30+ guided meditations.
๐ FREE Step-by-Step Building a Capsule Wardrobe connieriet.com/build-a-capsule-wardrobe
๐ฆ FREE Decluttering Tips PDF connieriet.com/decluttering-tips
๐ง Discover Connieโs podcast, Mindful Simplicity: A Mindful Life with Connie Riet โ a space for slowing down, reconnecting, and finding peace in the everyday.
Listen and follow on Spotify โ open.spotify.com/show/46kMTaqGHveqKPY6IxUD8d
๐ Cultivate happiness and create the life you want with Connie's Happiness Journal.
A positivity journal with insightful prompts to gain clarity and actionable ways to increase joy and peace. The Happiness Journal is available on Amazon in hardcover and paperback.
Paperback amazon.com/dp/B0DHPP8K42
Hardcover amazon.com/dp/B0DHPP8K42
~ Other Videos You May Enjoy
Why we're leaving the USA. youtu.be/3eInt_I0CoU
I got rid of everything I own youtu.be/t3me_Kr4y2s
My minimalist life fits in a suitcase youtu.be/m5DOKhnWvas
~ What I'm Wearing
Linen Tunic short sleeved amzn.to/4jDgYjt
Spanish tunic dress amzn.to/44ngJDy
Black zip-up sweater amzn.to/46lnk0J
Cashmere v-neck sweater amzn.to/3fZOPIM
Charcoal hiking pants quick dry amzn.to/4faelnm
Skort quick dry sage amzn.to/3AJ7rXx
Danner trail running shoes amzn.to/41XCkPR
Felt western hat. amzn.to/3d97x
Danner boot amzn.to/4dWHzFA
~ Website connieriet.com
~ Spotify open.spotify.com/show/46kMTaqGHveqKPY6IxUD8d
~ Meditations connieriet.com/guided-meditations
~ Instagram instagram.com/connieriet
~ Facebook facebook.com/riet.connie
~ YouTube youtube.com/@ConnieRiet
Affiliates:
Aura app FREE 30 day guest pass using the link below.
aurahealth.io/refer/aura-49iio/guest-pass
Amazon - I may receive a small compensation for qualifying products as an Amazon affiliate.
Disclaimer: This is a channel intended to educate, inspire and support you on your personal journey towards inner peace. Connie is not a psychologist or a medical doctor. If you are suffering from any psychological or medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.
#liveabroad #usa #america #leaveamerica #leftamerica #leftusa #expat #liveabroad #realityofusa #expatlife #usavseurope #americanexpat #connieriet #moveawayfromamerica #cultershock #reversecultershock #usacultershock #healthcare #usacostofliving
00:00 seeing the USA from the outside
01:44 what I love about the USA
03:44 slower pace in other countries
04:40 stores not always open
05:43 work life balance
06:24 various definitions of success
07:36 cost of living
08:33 health care
10:51 quality of food
11:40 what travel has taught me
