Have you ever dreamed of dropping everything and starting anew in a beautiful foreign land, but felt unsure how to make it happen? Today’s guest shares her inspiring journey of transformation—leaving behind life in the Netherlands after the pandemic to take on the challenge of restoring a centuries-old property in the French countryside. This week on Journeys Through Change, my guest Alethea Clarke and I are talking about lessons in patience and transformation: building a dream in the French countryside.
Get 50% off the Change Maker Series if you sign up now AND use the discount code NEW20 for 20% off your Day by Daybook® here.
Alethea Clarke is a seasoned communications professional with over 30 years of experience working with international clients across a wide range of industries, from fashion to healthcare. A serial organiser and events pro, she’s known for bringing bold ideas to life with precision and flair. But that’s just one side of her story. With an international background and a habit of throwing everything up in the air to start afresh, Alethea is also a self-confessed accidental renovator. She’s taken on projects across three countries and is now in the midst of her most ambitious challenge yet: transforming a beautiful 1730s property in the French countryside into both a home and a business. She sets out to share her hard-won lessons, smart tips, and lots of inspiration for anyone seeking guidance or dreaming of a fresh start, whether small, a new country, or a big, brave, life-changing pivot.
In this episode, Alethea and I discuss:
- Building a dream: her vision for turning a 1730s farmhouse into a creative retreat space for guests from around the world.
- The logistical rollercoaster of French renovations—managing 100+ artisans, language barriers, and unexpected issues.
- The emotional journey: overcoming moments of overwhelm and isolation, and finding joy in community, daily routines, and the beauty of rural life.
- The importance of patience, letting go of perfection, and savoring the transformation as it unfolds.
- Practical advice for anyone considering a similar leap—whether to France or another dream destination.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me what resonated with you.
CONNECT WITH ALETHEA CLARKE:
Sign up for the Newsletter: Adventures & Ateliers
Vacation Rental: La Petite Maison
STAY CONNECTED WITH NOELLE:
IG: Noelle Van
IG: daybyday
Facebook: Day by Day
Facebook: Journeys Through Change
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.