What happens when you finally say yes to the idea that won’t leave you alone, only to discover it isn’t meant to last forever?

In this candid conversation, Jackie sits down with Carley to reflect on her eight months living in France, from the thrill of arrival to the quieter challenges that surfaced once the novelty wore off. Carley shares what it really looked like to build a life abroad without a job offer or formal program, navigating visas, housing in Lyon, remote work, and daily life far from home.

As the story unfolds, Carley opens up about loneliness, cultural differences, and the realization that success doesn’t always mean pushing through discomfort. Choosing to come home wasn’t a failure, but a grounded act of self-trust. Together, she and Jackie explore why leaving can clarify what matters most, why having a contingency plan brings freedom, and why taking the leap is still worth it, even if you end up right where you began.

Resources:

• Follow Carley on Instagram: @carleydyan
• Listen to more episodes of the JUMP Podcast: travelingjackie.com/podcast
• Join Jackie’s email list: TravelingJackie.com
• Explore JUMP Adventures: jumpadventures.com
• Please follow the show, leave a 5-star review if you love it, and share with your travel buddies
• Don’t miss Jackie’s behind-the-scenes communications - hop on our email list at TravelingJackie.com

Produced by NOVA