I’ve Made A Big Life Decision
As we are almost halfway through the year, I don’t know where the time has gone. Just yesterday I felt like it was January and now it’s summer! Life is moving so fast lately and I really would like it to slow down.
Maybe because it’s summer, but usually around this time each year I get the itch to do something new. This usually involves taking a vacation or a road trip, but this time around I’m ready for a fresh start.
I’ve also been keeping a secret for several months now and finally feel it’s the right time to write about it.
I have been in Seattle for exactly two years and while it has been an incredible learning experience, it’s just not the right fit for me.
You might remember a few months back, my mom and I took a vacation to Nashville. Well, it wasn’t just a vacation.
While our trip seemed like mostly fun and games, we spent a good portion of the trip checking out rentals and figuring out the logistics.
I’ve been ready to call Nashville home for quite some time now and am excited it’s on the horizon.
I’m pretty stressed trying to figure it all out. Moving across the country isn’t easy!
But I’m also really, really excited.
My life has felt like it’s been on hold the past two years and I’m ready to move forward and start the next phase of my life.
I miss being near my friends and family. Planning a trip back east takes a lot of planning and time. I’m dependent on flying and don’t really have any other options.
I like knowing I have a choice to hop on a plane or get in my car and drive if there’s an emergency. Or I can meet up with friends to watch a football game.
Aside from friends and family, there are other factors that went into this decision.
As ridiculous as this might sound, my doctors think I’m allergic to Seattle. At least the rainy seasons anyway. After getting sick in January and a lot of testing, my body has struggled here. I’ve constantly had a cough since moving here and am on permanent medication. This isn’t normal and I’d really like to get off it.
Finally, Seattle is expensive. Even my rent is increasing! While I have the option to rent month-to-month after my lease ends in the fall, it’s going to be an additional $500 a month extra unless I sign a new lease. Youch.
Of course, there are some really great things about Seattle that I will miss! I’ve made a few good friends and I’ll miss how beautiful it is here.
What does this mean for my blog?
Nothing really. The next few months are going to be a little crazy but I plan on blogging like usual.
In the coming months, I will be doing a few Seattle related posts for people thinking about vacationing here or even moving here.
I also plan on documenting a lot more of expenses in detail. Once I move, I think it will be interesting comparing things like the cost of gas, the price to see a movie and other miscellaneous bills.
If you are thinking about starting a blog, this tutorial will help you start a blog today. You’ll also get a FREE domain name for a year! I was able to quit my job and blog full time, all within my first year of blogging. I am really glad I took a chance and started a blog! I invested a small amount of money to start my blog using Bluehost, and I made $13,000 in 6 months of blogging. That’s the best return of investment ever!
What am I going to do for work?
That’s a good question! I plan to go from part-time blogger to full-time blogger as well as grow my Pinterest VA business.
Finally, I also decided to create a ‘Hire Me’ section for bloggers, so spread the word (shameless plug!). Please note – I no longer am accepting new clients, but you can fill out a form here if you need Pinterest virtual assistant services.
Related reading:
- Typical Day in the Life of a Full-Time Blogger
- 9 Ways to Avoid Blogging and Freelance Burnout
- How to Manage Your Time as a Blogger
- 90-Day Blogging Guide For Beginners
I know moving can be risky without a job, but it’s the right move mentally and financially. I’m forever grateful I had an opportunity to live in a brand new place and do something different. But being self-employed has always been the full-time dream!
I’m also content that I’m able to choose what matters most to me, which is being closer to my loved ones.
How I plan to grow my blog
First, I’ve been utilizing some free resources:
I’ve also been working on growing my Pinterest VA business! Between my blog and freelance services, I should be able to work comfortably.
Have you ever moved across the country or moved away from family and friends?
Hi Kristin
I’ve been reading your post about blogging with much interest as I am preparing to create my own blog as well. This post in particular spoke to me as my partner and I are moving to the coast in a year or so and are in the early stages of preparing. We just went on a 2 week road trip to find the right location!
My goal is to be a full time blogger and life coach by the time I move. I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me but you are very much inspiring and motivating me! Thank you 🙏🏻
You’re welcome!
Congrats on the move! I love Nashville! I never knew how expensive Settle is..but I don’t know if I could live there! I enjoy sunshine to our much!
Thanks so much!
Congrats on your decision! I’ve never made a move that big, but it sounds like this is a great choice for you. Love the cowgirl boots pic!
Everyone likes a nice pair of cowboy boots, right?!
Wow, what an exciting move. Are your originally from Nashville? I can definitely understand that desire to be closer to family and old friends. I live in a different city than my family and I really wish we were closer. Also, moving to a less expensive city is always a major plus. More to save! Congratulations.
Thanks Jess! I’m not from Nashville, but have friends and family there. I’m so excited to live somewhere cheaper 🙂
Congratulations!! That is awesome news and great to be closer to family. I will be looking forward to all your moving reports.
Thanks Charissa! I’m so excited!
Congrats on your impending move! Nashville sounds amazing. Living near family is totally worth any trade off. I get people wanting to branch out on their own and maybe they have crazy families, but in the end, it’s family that’ll stick with you. Will you be driving? That’d be so much fun!
I agree! Maybe because I’m getting older, but I miss my family so much! I’m tired of never seeing them.
Congrats on making such a big, life changing decision! I have family down in the Nashville area and it is a great place to be. I tried talking my husband into moving several years ago, but I think we are happily settled here in Michigan. Anyway, congrats again and I hope everything goes well for you!
Thanks Tennille! I think everyone knows someone from Nashville!
Woo-hoo!!! Congratulations!!! Are you originally from Nashville?!
I’m sure you know we moved across the country less than a year ago!! We moved away from our friends and family, though 🙁 Charlotte, NC now feels like home and I honestly don’t ever want to leave. It’s funny, the other day my husband and I were talking about job transfers and I said the only place I would ever transfer to would be Nashville, haha! We drove through there on our drive from AZ to NC and I loved it!
Best of luck!!! 🙂
I’m not, I’ve spent most of my life in FL 🙂 I think any state in the south has that homely feel, so it’s no surprising you like NC so much!
I will *always* support moving to be closer to your people — after many years of not being, I wish I had the option myself (I can’t, because the people in question are literally on opposite sides of the country from each other so I’d have to make a choice.) I think you’ll be able to find a job in Nashville, and hopefully you can continue to consult for your old company/industry as you search (that’s what the internet is for, consulting!)
I feel your pain! My family is spread out too, so no matter what choice I make, I’m still not near everyone.
That’s a big decision, but it sounds like one you’ve been pondering for quite some time. I miss Seattle quite a bit, but I know that we’re far better able to survive down here in Phoenix. I’m not sure we’d ever be able to get a house up there, not when there are so many other expenses sucking away my paycheck.
Just go have some Teriyaki Nasai or Thai Tom (U-District) for me before you leave!
Ha, I will!
How exciting — congrats on the decision to move to Nashville! It is really tough to move far away from family and friends, so I can appreciate your decision completely. I’m enjoying living abroad and having a chance to travel, but we miss living in our home state. If we can’t return after my husband’s current assignment, I think I’ll be pretty crushed. Good luck and I hope everything goes smoothly with the transition!
Thanks Jennifer! I’m excited to have some familiarity again!
Yay! Really happy for you! And now I know someone in Nashville (well two bloggers now really) that I can come and visit if I ever come there. I’ve been dying to go to that city and was hoping Fincon15 would be there. Booo! Good luck with everything and I look forward to following your journey!
Thanks Tonya! Oh yay, you might have to introduce me to them, ha! Maybe FinCon16?
Congrats on the big decision to move! Moving is a lot of work, but it’s pretty exciting. That’s crazy how high rent is in Seattle and a $550/month increase is ridiculous. I flip out when my past landlord tried to raise my rent by $20/month so I couldn’t even imagine, haha. But I look forward to reading about how everything pans out and good luck on finding new work, I’m sure you’ll be fine 🙂
The rent is the biggest struggle for me. I feel like it rules my monthly budget and I’m over it. Thanks Chonce!