In a better mood in Spain

The MiMove blog met with Mi Ridell, a Swedish actress, guest speaker and podcaster to talk about her life in Spain.  She has shared her time between Spain and Sweden for many years.  She believes she is always in a better mood in Spain.  The light and the lifestyle make the difference.

We are digital nomads, my partner Peter and I.  Our son Max is the one who lives permanently in Spain while we, the parents go between the countries.  It works really well for us, we get the best of both worlds and get to have a happy son.  It couldn’t have worked out better.

In a better mood in Spain

Peter was involved in a property project in Marbella in Spain in 2013 and was going to spend three months there.  During this time Max was not happy in his school and we thought it might be good with a change of scenery for him.  I knew of a small, charming Swedish school in Marbella and checked it out.  I then asked the headmaster of Max’s school in Sweden, who agreed to let Max attend the school in Spain for three months.

The whole school only had 44 pupils from the age of six until 15-16 years old.  And Max loved it.  He is simply in a much better mood in Spain. Peter’s project got delayed and he had to stay longer in Spain, so Max could stay as well.  Every time, it was time for Max to move back to Sweden he didn’t want to.  Now, he is 16 years old and has stayed in Spain the whole time.  We, the adults, have continued to go back and forth.  I guess it is an unusual setup but it works really well.  Max is in a beautiful mood in Spain and actually enjoys school while Peter and I get to do what we like by having two home countries.

Digital nomads

I work in film and theatre, but I also take on speaking opportunities and moderator assignments so need to be present in Sweden.  However, much of the planning I can do from Spain.  When I am in Sweden, Peter is in Spain and vice versa but often we can be in Sweden at the same time and it is lovely to spend time as a family.

When I started out in Spain, I couldn’t find an easy way to get tips on the local do’s and don’ts, like where to go for a haircut, best dinner, or which local attractions were great for families.  I started a facebook-page that became very popular.  But over time, I got more and more curious about the podcast medium.  At the beginning of the year, I launched the Marbella-podcast in Swedish (“Marbella-podden”).  Approximately once every week, I broadcast a new show, and I interview interesting local people and give tips on things to do.  Currently, I have 22,000 steady listeners, mainly from Sweden but there are Swedish speaking people all over the world, so I have listeners in other places as well.

I have also produced my first vodcast which is a video version of the podcast.  I have plans to do an international version as well, but I still haven’t decided to do that as a podcast or vodcast, we’ll see.

The body never lies

A few years ago, I wrote a book on body language and I am frequently invited to speak about it.  As an actress, I am used to using my body to express what I want to say.  And what I have learned are things everyone can use in their daily lives as well.  The way you use your body can influence your mood greatly.

Even though we live in modern times with technology and an ever faster pace, our brains are still wired pretty much as they have always been.  Our fight or flight reflex, for example, works the same as it for earlier generations.  And if we are depressed, for example, that will show up in your body.  Perhaps you pull your shoulders up, you slouch and let your head hang.

That posture is something the brain recognise from when you are not feeling well.  It also happens to be the same posture and gestures you use when you are looking at your phone or Ipad.  The shoulders and head move forward, and you shield yourself off from your surroundings.  Also, when you are cold your raise your shoulders, you get tense and the corners of your mouth points to the floor.  If you, instead, pull your shoulders back, straighten your spine, lift your gaze and smile towards the world, the brain is tricked into thinking you are in a good mood and feel well.  In that way, you get to choose your mood.  It really works, too!

Happy in Spain

The Spanish climate certainly helps.  Everything feels a little easier when it is sunny and warm.  Your posture gets better, you look each other in the eye and it is so nice outside and you don’t have to be cold.  In Northern Europe, it gets cold and dark during the winter and then you look down, you rush from one point to the next to avoid the cold and the wind.  Of course, it is easier to be happy and to be in a good mood in Spain.

As a digital nomad, I adore new technology.  Without it, I could not live the life I do.  But, we must all disconnect from technology sometimes to reconnect with real humans.  Real meetings are so important.  We need to start to see each other again and not just look at our screens.  To respect one another is important.

The word respect, to respect comes from the Latin word respectus meaning the action of looking back, consideration, regard.  In a sense, it also means to be fully present when meeting another human being.   I do believe that we all would benefit from a little more respect in our lives.  In Spain, you tend to meet people a bit more like in old times.  There is more focus on getting together outdoors and to actually meet instead of sitting behind a screen sending written messages.  It is simply put, easier to be in a good mood in Spain, just because it is so lovely to interact with people. It is really an energy boost.

Marbella has grown on me

Originally, I wasn’t that keen on Marbella. I was never the kind of person who wanted to socialise with the same crowd abroad as at home.  And there are many Swedes in Marbella.  But now, I have completely changed my mind.  The Marbella area has so much to offer.  Riverbed walks for example. I just love them. There are dry riverbeds everywhere. On and off, there are heavy downpours but in between the wet periods, they make for fantastic walks.  I have also started to go horseback riding on the beach.  That is so lovely!

Today, many nationalities are included in my social network here in Spain.  It is very inspiring.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any close Spanish friends yet because my Spanish is not quite good enough.  But I am working on it.  Right now, I watch a lot of Spanish series on Netflix.  It is a really good way of getting used to the sound of Spanish.  And if you watch with Spanish subtitles turned on, you get to see the language written at the same time as you hear the words.

Reality is here and now

All in all, we have a fantastic life here.  Sometimes, my friends in Sweden ask ‘When are you coming back to reality?,’and then I think that they believe reality must be dull, and full of stress.  But that is not my life anymore.  I have the best of both worlds and I enjoy my time in Spain enormously.  I am happy and I am always in such a great mood in Spain.

We eat better here, we buy fruit and veg on the local market, and we enjoy the sun.  We get together as a family and with friends spontaneously and just hang out.  The health care in Spain is fantastic and should I ever be taken ill when I am in Sweden I would catch the next flight back to Spain.

Everyday life in Spain

We have a wonderful everyday life here in Spain.  But it is everyday life.  Lidl, homework, cooking and watching tv.  The sun, the heat, and the slower pace do a world of good to us but a lot of people think it is difficult to create a real life when living in holiday conditions.  But that is not true. We don’t drink more alcohol and we aren’t lazy.  But I must admit, it is very nice with the light. We get at least three more hours of daylight a day in the winter compared to Sweden.

The light is wonderful for my sunny mood in Spain.