..we had a plan

If you have been around for a bit, follow me on instagram or know me personally then you know that last fall we (the husband and I) made a big life change.  Today I want to sort of catch you up on that, share something from my heart and encourage you to be thankful for whatever situation you are in.

Its no secret that this little town I live in is not for me.  It never was and never will be, but I'm the type of person that can make do and so it is what it is.  This is the place we came when my mom remarried and we moved up from Southern California when I was 13.  I only stayed 4 short years before skipping out as quickly as possible to go to college away from here.  However, it was still always home.  Seven years later I found myself back here with my boyfriend I met while living away and we started a life.  I opened a salon, made a couple good friends, got hitched, found new hobbies, grew closer to my parents and so much more!  But I'm a creature of change and for a good two years I have needed & wanted out.

Towards the end of last summer we knew we wanted to move and were so close, but then my husband dropped a bombshell of an idea on me.  His brilliant plan? To sell ALL of our belongings, live in a vintage airstream on my parents property and move by our anniversary, a six month plan.  I've mentioned before that I ugly cried profusely,  but in the end took it like a champ.  So with keeping just my studio, our cars, a tv and 4 boxes of personal possessions, we set this plan in motion- our goal: to save and live a simple life.

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I won't lie, its hard.  So far is actually been one of the most emotionally draining experiences to date.  I love my parents very very much, but sometimes I wonder if this situation will ruin that.  Seriously.  Living with your parents as an adult, as they age is an experience that is very hard to explain (mom don't get upset that I'm being honest here!). I feel the burden of being the last kid to move away from them for good and am sad about that. I miss the small luxuries, like alone time and my own bed.  My studio is out in my parents remodeled garage and I have more space than before, but lets face it- its a garage.  I have figured out how to make the best of it and even set up a mini-living room in here- seriously Hulu, Netflix & Pandora, thank you.

What I wanted to share with you is a little bit about the unexpected.  While my studio isn't ideal, its what I have and I've been accomplishing more than I thought I could here.  I have made bigger partnerships, plans and achievements from this situation and this space I make work than any pretty little studio could have given me.  When I look in front of me and see my little shipping center or inventory, glance to the left at my books and inspiration and then to the right a big garage door- it makes me appreciate every thing I'veever had or any thing I will ever obtain.  In keeping with honesty- I still get extremely upset when all I want is a house or question this plan when it seems like too much, but today we met our goal (financially) 4 weeks earlier than expectyed and I realize how worth it, it all was.  Yesterday one of my headbands was featured in Seventeen magazine, today my shop was featured on the Elle Magazine Spain blog.  Its amazing and I get to see it all happening as I sip on some tea my mom made while wearing slippers that are a must on cold concrete floors.  I saw these accomplishments of mine from the comforts of a garage you guys- nothing more nothing less.

Sure it may sound silly when you think that some great start ups started in a garage, amazing bands have practiced in them and some people turn them into craft spaces.  That part isn't my point, instead its to share that when a not so ideal situation is placed in front of you, to make the best of it will be more challenging and rewarding then anything else.

In a few weeks we will be moving to Portland to start all over and I mean completely over, we don't have furniture, appliances.. anything!  I'm anxious to start exploring a new city and make new connections in a place where I feel I belong just a bit better.  Our plan changed a little and we will rent for a year or so until we pick a neighborhood to buy a home, we applied for a place this week and its just one step closer to seeing this goal through!

With the power of being connected online we see other peoples lives all day long and its hard not to wish the things we see them doing, were things we could do too.  Just don't forget that we all have private lives and struggles we don't always share, really who wants to see the bad stuff?  When life hands you lemons..

Sure I don't want to be here, but here is where some amazing things have happened.  I know I won't ever do this again and for that I'm thankful.  But for the learning experience that has taught me to be patient, humble and optimistic- I will always be grateful.  When we move away I know this will always be home and thats the best part.