After my first long-distance relationship failed, I vowed never to do it again. Then I met another foreign guy online.

Tech Insider : Travel
Woman in a hat, wearing sunglasses, holding a glass of wine in Switzerland.
After Dena Roché's long-distance relationship with a Swiss boyfriend came to an end, she had no plans to start another one.

Dena Roché

We moved our family to Florida for my husband's job. It ruined our marriage — and I'm back in Ohio with the kids.

Tech Insider
Author Candace Powell with her kids
I moved my family back to Ohio after we lived in Florida.

Candace Powell

I've traveled to 90 countries. I only found one place I want to live.

Tech Insider : Travel
Woman in white shirt sitting on a rock near waterfall in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Lola Méndez has found Chiang Mai to be an affordable city for her lifestyle.

Lola Méndez

I'm a mom of 3 in Israel. Every time my daughter walks into the room, I turn off the news.

Tech Insider
A collage of a hand covering a TV with an Israeli flag in the background.
Deborah Danan is raising her three kids in a mixed city in Israel. She makes sure the news is switched off when they come into the room.

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

My identical twin and I only started dressing alike as adults. It's the way it should be.

Tech Insider
mikhaila and aimee twin sisters
The author and her twin, in 2020. The sisters once pledged never to be caught together wearing the same outfit.

Mikhaila Friel

I spent my early 20s renting in expensive US cities. Life isn't cheaper for me in the suburbs, but it's better and more fun.

Tech Insider
Amory Rose smiling
I've spent a lot of years living in some of the most expensive cities. A few months ago, I finally gave up and headed to the suburbs of Pennsylvania.

Amory Rose

As a teacher, I'm done feeling guilty for having summers off

Tech Insider
A photo of a woman resting in front of a yellow circle
I usually pack my summers with home projects and errands. This year, I'm letting myself rest.

iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI

I've been lying about my age since I was 24, and I don't see anything wrong with that

Tech Insider
Side angle profile of a woman with two hourglass clocks on either side and a bright green background.
Age is the only thing Nicola Prentis lies about when dating.

Nicola Prentis; Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

I gave up my dream life in Japan to move to the Netherlands — now, I couldn't be happier

Tech Insider
Brie Schmidt on a widmill balcony in Deift
As an American, I'm glad I was able to move to Europe.

Brie Schmidt

My first cruise was a 7-day disappointment. Even worse, it left me feeling sick long after touching dry land.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Author Brittany VanDerBill taking a selfie on a cruise next to her holding a drink in front of a rainy view
I feel no need to book another cruise anytime soon.

Brittany VanDerBill

Subscribe to personal-essay