Two weeks ago, I celebrated my nine year anniversary of living in Boston. Each year I celebrated that as an accomplishment because I moved from a small town, on my own, with no financial help. Plenty of emotional support along the way though – (thanks, Mom!), but since then – I’ve pretty much been on my own.

To me, that is (and was!) a huge accomplishment. Each year, on April 24th, I stop to reflect on the hard work that I’ve put in over the past year and to celebrate how much I have achieved. This past anniversary for me though was slightly different… While proud of what I had done over the last year, I was looking forward to something else… And it actually had nothing to do with Boston!

Before I go there, let me explain…

Over the past several months, I have been going back-and-forth between Boston and North Carolina. I met someone wonderful down south when I was there for work last year, and the connection was immediate. It only took one night, talking for about an hour in total (maybe even less!) and we were traveling to see each other every few weeks.

Nurturing a long distance relationship has been tough though. It’s been exhilarating, passionate, exciting, but also really taxing. It’s funny because prior to this relationship, I had always thought that this situation was ideal! I’m a super independent person – as my friends and family can attest – so I thought that me being in a different state than my significant other would actually be perfect.

Thing is, what I didn’t account for was that I would actually like this person and want to spend time with them! 😄 So again – the distance has definitely created some challenges.

Now, to circle back to where we started… After celebrating nearly a decade of living in Boston, I’m thrilled to share that the next chapter of my life will begin in Raleigh N.C. – in just two weeks!

Never did I think that I would end up in the south… Not that there’s anything wrong with the south – I’m just a super intense, fast-talker from the Northeast. So to think that my life is about it take a total change of pace… is probably understatement. 😄 But! It’s one that I’m really looking forward to.

I’ve never been one to not make a decision because I was scared. Perhaps it’s taking me longer at some points to make a decision about something because of my hesitation – for one reason or another – but I definitely have never let change or fear stop me. So, when the time came to think about next steps for me and my future – while nothing seemed scarier than making a move 700 miles away from the only “home” I’ve ever known as an adult – weirdly, at the same time – nothing seemed more exhilarating.

I never want to look back at any point in my life and think – what if? I feel like that would be the most devastating realization that anyone could have. Plus, nothing is forever — if you don’t want it to be! So, in just a couple of weeks, I’ll be packing up and moving away again to start a new chapter of my life. And at 32, I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared. I’m going to have to make new friends, new connections and build myself a new network. But, that’s a challenge that I’m excited to take on. If anyone can do it – I know I can!

When I started this blog, it was to share interesting and cool things that I come across in my every day life and to tell stories of people doing amazing things in our community. And I’m so excited to report that the vision and that goal, isn’t stopping here. In fact, it’s just beginning! I can’t share too much right now…but I’m working on an opportunity in Raleigh that will hopefully allow me to share some really amazing stories on a much broader scale! More to come on that front, so stay tuned!

To add to that, my business isn’t going anywhere either. I’m still keeping all of my current clients, and will hopefully be adding some new ones along the way. Thankfully, my business is mobile. And I’m an avid traveler (…as we all know at this point…), so if there’s somewhere I need to be that I’m not already, I’ll be there! Jet Blue and I are super tight at this point. 😂

So, to wrap this up – though I tried ☝️, I can’t even really begin to express how excited I am for my next journey, and I hope all of you will continue to follow along as this new chapter unfolds! I can’t wait to share what I find along the way, as I explore a brand new city filled with so many stories just waiting to be told!