Dream Big, Act Boldly: How Tomorrow's Vision Sparks Today's Fire
A five-year vision for a wellness retreat and co-living space for digital nomads—built on connection, culture, and community (launching in 2029… maybe).
✨ If you dream of building something that matters—this story is for you.
Last week, we looked back at the first 100 days since I was let go from my corporate job in America. Today, I want to look forward—toward my five-year vision.
“I thought losing my job would unravel me. I was wrong. Instead, it rerouted me toward a vision that had already been quietly forming.”
It Started With a Dream
I have a dream. A dream that excites me. A dream that began years ago, shaped by travel and introspection—and one that’s continued to evolve through life’s twists and turns. It will probably keep evolving. But I’m excited to share where it stands today. Why? Because I hope you’re dreaming too.
The seed of this vision was planted when I first started traveling to scout out my future retirement destination. During my time in Panama and Mexico, the dream began to take shape.
Originally, I imagined a small 10-room retreat with a focus on wellness and recovery—a place centered around connection. Picture a courtyard with a fire pit for storytelling, and a shared room for recovery meetings and community events.
Where do you want to be in five years? What steps can you take today to set that path in motion? How does it light you up and inspire the details to unfold? Try it—it’s more fun than you think.
The dream has changed, yes. But at its core, it’s more the same than different.
The Evolution
Things have evolved since that original vision.
After a lot of research and some on-the-ground scouting, Spain became the new destination. The updated vision? A small café offering a healthy, anti-inflammatory menu and a community room available for yoga, meditation, and recovery meetings—open to both locals and tourists. Restaurants can be a risky investment, but I believed this would be more than just a café. I saw it as a meaningful contribution to the Spanish community I hoped to call home.
Then came the job loss—and with it, another shift.
Suddenly, I was starting my next chapter without the RSU stocks I had assumed would fund my startup dream. I had a cushion to live on for a while, but not enough to buy or build a brick-and-mortar space.
What I found, though, was an unexpected opportunity: the chance to go fully Digital Nomad and begin the next phase of my life sooner. This time, I’d start with a remote-only business.
Bookkeeping came up again and again as an in-demand service for remote entrepreneurs. My first career was in accounting, so this wasn’t a leap—it was a return. A rekindling. But for me, it’s never just been about bookkeeping. I want to serve others. I want to build community.
That’s where my second career—IT program management and analysis—became my magic sword. The skills I’ve built over the years can help small business owners navigate systems, streamline decisions, and operate with more clarity and confidence.
And from all of this, Beyond Aligned Books was born: a small business consulting and bookkeeping practice for entrepreneurs figuring it out on their own.
But make no mistake: the dream is still alive.
The mission remains unchanged—creating space that nurtures others while building a sustainable, impact-driven business.
I now have a five-year vision that inspires and energizes me. Building a network of thriving small business owners is a steppingstone toward something greater. I’m beginning to see the road more clearly—and I’m open to the possibility that it may include investors or loans. And that’s not a failure of independence.
It’s a leap toward expansion. And I’m ready.
Welcome to Casa Armonía (Harmony House)
The year: 2029 (probably)
The place: Valencia, Spain (probably—but maybe just outside the city?)
Casa Armonía is a home away from home for digital nomads—a place to live and work in community, to connect with fellow travelers from around the world and with locals.
Our co-working space is designed to support the deep thinker, the social butterfly, and everyone in between. We offer solo workstations, a shared meeting room, and a cozy lounge area for collaboration and conversation. Casa Armonía guests get first access, but the space is also open to our local friends and neighbors.
Our co-living quarters feature small but well-appointed rooms with en suite bathrooms, a mini-fridge, microwave, and a dedicated quiet workspace. It’s an introvert’s dream escape.
The heart of the home is a large, shared kitchen and dining room, where guests gather for organized Sunday tapas. Guests can reserve time to cook for themselves or their housemates, with open slots available for quick, casual use.
We also have a small café with a courtyard that serves both guests and locals from early morning until 2 p.m. After 2 p.m., it’s a perfect place for guests to slip away for solitude or spark conversation over a smoothie. Or host one of our locals’ workshops.
Upstairs, our meditation and yoga room opens to a rooftop space designed for mindfulness and reflection. Yoga and meditation classes are offered most days of the week.
Our Values: What Sets Casa Armonía Apart
1. Community
Being a digital nomad can be lonely. Casa Armonía was built with connection in mind—from our “Who’s Here” app feature to our weekly Sunday tapas, we create intentional moments for guests to meet, relax, and bond.
2. Local Culture
Our entire staff is local. We invite Valencians to lead workshops for guests—on topics ranging from art to urban legends. We also share more about our businesses and actively look for opportunities to train, apprentice, and hire from our surrounding community. Your next great bookkeeper, virtual assistant, or social media guru might just be a “graduate” of Casa Armonía.
3. Wellness
We support a healthy lifestyle—mind, body, and soul. Our café features anti-inflammatory foods, and our space offers recovery-focused experiences to help guests restore and recharge.
4. Sustainability
From eliminating single-use plastics to composting our food scraps, we work intentionally to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible.
5. Tech Support, Thoughtfully Used
Our space is equipped with secure, seamless technology that supports your lifestyle without getting in the way. Smart access, high-speed connectivity, and reliable infrastructure are table stakes here.
With affordable stays ranging from 7 days to 3 months, we hope you’ll not only enjoy your time at Casa Armonía—but come back again and again.
And if you have ideas on how we can make this space better—for you, for others, and for the local community—we want to hear them.
💬 Your Turn
I’d love to hear from you.
✨ What are your dreams for the future?
🌍 Are you a digital nomad or curious about becoming one?
It’s not too early for me to start a suggestion box—so please drop your thoughts in the comments. What would make your ideal live/work retreat feel like home?
And if this story brought you a thought, a spark, or a smile—please ❤️ this article so I know it resonated.
Here’s to dreaming boldly and building slowly, together.
☕ Want to Support the Journey?
Align & Thrive is free to read. But if something here resonated, you can show your support (and raise my optimism) by buying me a coffee. Every cup fuels this mission—caffeine-wise and emotionally. 💛
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There will be missteps.
There will be wins.
And life will keep throwing curveballs.
I used the Viral Content Coach to help get this out of my head and into the world. It didn’t save time—but it did help me write a sharper, more focused piece for you.
This is an audacious goal Vicki, I love it! What a cool idea.