These are some of the last photos I took in Manhattan Beach, and oh how I love them so. I meant to share them sooner (along with a few other photo sessions that are still in queue) but I’ve been working on settling in to our new spot with my family.
The actual move is over, but the transition is ongoing. I gave myself permission to slow down for a few weeks, which may sound silly, but giving myself “permission” is something that I as a go-getter, and one who gives everything 100% at all times, actually had to do in order to push the brakes a little.
As a planner, I redesigned my website months in advance of the move. I scheduled out content. And did all the things. But since my brand is very much a lens to my life, I decided as mapped out as everything was, to put it all on hold for a bit.
I share this because one of the things I’ve realized in this move is how lucky I am to be able to do that. Put things on hold for a bit. Whether it’s a day or a month, I do not take that for granted, and I can tell you now after experiencing how beautiful and life giving the tiny pause was, that it won’t be the last time I take a little hiatus. whether for a week or a month. and whether I announce it or not :)
We are still getting into a rhythm and I am still getting into my groove, but writing that makes me think. Are we ever done doing that? Getting into a groove?
The answer is no of course, as we are always evolving. While the journey continues here are a few of the hardest and best things about our move in this very moment.
hardest
home
since leaving my childhood home, I’ve lived in Colorado, NYC, London, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and now San Diego. And while I’ve bounced around to quite a few places, Manhattan Beach truly felt the most like home. I truly think home consists of the people and places you surround yourself by, but mostly, it resides from within. I felt comfortable in my community there and more importantly comfortable in myself so I truthfully felt a little derailed by the change.
baby memories
leaving our town felt like I was leaving so many memories of my babies. MB was where they had their first first food, first crawl, first steps, first laugh, first play date, first swing, first baguette, first beach day, and and and and. it was truly the beginning of an era there, and so it felt like the end of one too.
routine
we all need a routine right? at least I do. leaving my old system and getting used to a new one was tricky. and well, it’s actually still in the works! but since we’ve found more of a rhythm things have felt a little more predictable and therefore easier.
best
new places
whether we’re exploring the aquarium, the library, the park, or even the nearest Whole Foods, everything is a new adventure for our family! and the new shops, restaurants, coffee shops and spas are new adventure for mama!
gratitude
there aren’t really words to convey my feelings of gratitude for my time in our old neighborhood, but this move has really made me appreciate that period of life. it’s also opened up the beauty of other places, and the privlege my family has to experience yet another beautiful place together. there are so many levels to gratitude in this move that exist inside of me and cannot be explained.
sharing our home
when you move away your friends and family come visit! it’s not the same as living down the street from good friends and winging a drive by or last minute park date, but it has brought about several weekends already of un-interupted quality time with loved ones. the kids love hosting people in our home and ‘hood! This goes for new friends too! And it feels like a forever vacation with all the beautiful trees and beaches around here so we have lots to share!
Thank you for following along as always.
