Obviously, I haven’t been blogging everyday in May but I remembered seeing this earlier this month and thought it would be fun to join sometime this month, especially since I’ve wanted to blog a little more about me. I say that because I am blogging about trips and destinations all the time BUT at the same time, I want you to know me and where I’m coming from and who I am. I think that makes a big difference when considering what you’re reading.
So I’m sitting here on a Sunday evening asking myself, “I wonder what I can write about tomorrow, I want a day’s break from my trips / expeditions…” then I remember seeing this post and head on over to the website. In a weird twist of faith, it’s asking me to talk about something that’s weighing heavily on my mind.
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you’re struggling with right now.
Good gosh. My biggest struggle, I think I’ve talked about before. Should I stay or should I go.
I moved to Texas five years ago. Now, I’m in a completely different place in my life. I’ve had a lot of recent change. In the last six months, I’ve really pushed myself to travel across Texas as much as I can and have seen a great deal (I don’t think I’ve spent one entire weekend at home in the last two months). I’ve realized how big my support system in Texas is and the opportunities here for my blog (which is what I truly love and am passionate about). I love the western/Southern lifestyle, two stepping, Texas country music, the country livin’, and the food. Yoga – I’m completely addicted to my yoga classes that I attend. Addicted. I even have a friend here who I went to high school with which is so awesome. It’s like home comfort.
Now for the con’s – I have zero family here. My job is a job, I have no passion for it and it’s just paying the bills. I’m over living in the “city” and hearing the airplanes. Don’t get me going on the traffic and the other drivers. I think what bothers me the most is that I’m blessed to check out events for my blog and am always up to try out something new but it seems incredibly hard to find someone to go with me to some of these things. Everyone is getting married, having babies or busy with everyday life – you know the deal. I don’t mind traveling by myself but who really wants to do that all the time. In addition, everyone I know is centralized in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. Finally, I would be lying if I didn’t mention this, I just went through a bad break up (five years) and am working my way out of that. It hasn’t really been fun.
Now, Vermont. My entire family is there. In addition to family, I have friends that I’ve known since I was five and are my rock. It seems like no matter where life has taken us, we’ve always come back together like we didn’t skip a beat. I have a one year old niece at home that I don’t get to see except when I visit a few select times during the year and a new niece/nephew due this November. Country living at it’s finest, dirt roads, peacefulness. I have friends throughout New England and the east coast (so if I was to check out something for my blog in a different state, I could, hopefully, meet up with one of them). There’s a lot friends that I can’t wait to see again (some I haven’t seen in 5 years). My love for the outdoors could really flourish and focus more on nature, hiking, canoeing, fishing and I can finally have a snowboarding season again. Canada / Montreal is just north and provides entirely new opportunities to blog and reunite with hockey season (go HABS!). Finally, maple syrup… need I say more. Job wise, I would love to try to get this job into a full time gig (what better way than to live with mom and dad… right mom… or just trying to get crafty and refurbishing furniture, starting a yoga business, photography business…. I’m going to be the woman with 300 jobs). Have I mentioned snow and mountains?
Cons – Jobs are a little harder to come by but not impossible. Is there even great Mexican food in Vermont? I think I may have withdrawals and that’s before I even mention BBQ. The events in Texas are weekly and never a dull moment… Vermont they may be fewer to find and farther to travel to. There’s no cowboys but there are dairy farmers. I’m going to be honest and say this… there’s a lot fewer people in Vermont which leads for much fewer options to find a husband. Call me vain or whatever really but I mean… I’m not getting any younger folks. I’ll have to open my own yoga studio. I’m pretty nervous that I’m not going to have as many blog opportunities…yea pretty nervous. I don’t want to take a step backwards in the blog world. I’m going to miss my Texas friends like I do now with my Vermont family.
My Texas friends say “stay”, my Vermont / New England friends say “come home”. I’m about 95% sure on my decision. I say that instead of 100% sure because there’s always that thought that crosses your mind asking if you’re doing the right thing and leaves you wondering. Does anyone have any history making a decision like this one?
Wow, good luck with the decision. Reading this I was thinking Vermont sounds like the place for you if you get work. Gosh. Hope you find your answer
Thank you! 🙂
I have several friends here in Texas that are transplants for various reasons. Every one of them says they wouldnt go back. For all the reasons you explained in the pros and more is the reason to stay. Texas still has a great job market and its never cold but maybe twice a year. YOu could move to Austin or Houston where you would only be a few hours from the beach. I am a born and bred Texan and have moved around alot. My happy place is California but i could never afford it and my fiance has no desire to leave Texas. Good luck with your decision. I’ve really enjoyed seeing all your fun stops in Texas on your blog.
Well, it’s definitely not an easy decision. I have come to Texas so much so even if I do leave, I plan on coming back, traveling, photographing and sharing it all!
More than happy to have you stay with us. Joylnn is lots of fun to spend time with and she’d be happy to have you here also. Love Mom