About our Move

After 4.5 years of living in NYC, we finally made the move down to Florida. We've only been here for a few weeks at this point but it's been a whirlwind to say the least - and I actually have a lot to say. Oh where to start!

Not so surprisingly, this move has introduced a lot of change. I think we left so suddenly that I didn't have a ton of time to process leaving NYC and reflecting back makes me a little emotional. It's chaotic, busy, and sometimes downright overwhelming, but it also has the best energy I've ever known, is filled with incredible people (& food!), and is truly whatever you make of it. So in a very short love letter to NYC - thanks for building my thicker skin, helping me shape my identity, and for giving me the confidence in myself that I can be or do anything. You'll always hold a special place in my heart, and I know I'll be back probably sooner than I can anticipate.

** End of Melodrama **

Anyhoo. For those who don't know - the move itself came quickly and somewhat unexpectedly for us. We re-signed our lease in April and were fully prepared for another year in the city, but by mid-July my husband received a job offer in Florida that was too good to pass up. It was one of those crossroads in life where you decide to just say f*ck it we'll uproot everything because why not!

We didn't have much time between accepting the offer and needing to move out of our apartment, so we shoved our belongings into boxes, discarded all our shitty Wayfair furniture, packed up a U-Haul, and Irish exited on half of our friends. Naturally. We didn't even have a new place lined up so we decided to move into my family's home in Maine. Because that seemed like the logical first step. HA. ???

We then flew down to Florida to scout apartments and immediately fell in love with a place walking distance from the beach. We signed the lease on the spot, then returned to Maine to figure out logistics. Fun fact: most people plan long-distance moves months in advance - not a week before - so that posed a unique challenge. Every moving company was booked (and wildly expensive), so we did the only thing any sane couple looking to casually test their marriage would do. We rented a U-Haul and decided to drive from Maine to Florida ourselves.

Ok well my husband drove. I assumed full-time passenger princess duties although my responsibilities did extend to AUX and finding places to eat. The trip took 27 hours over 2.5 days, and while I didn’t think it was too bad, my husband definitely has a different perspective having "survived" multiple leg cramps. We applaud his masculine bravery.

Since arriving to Florida, we’ve been slowly adapting to life here. Coming from a place like NYC, the biggest adjustment has been the convenience trade-off. In New York, I could get my clothes tailored, nails done, packages shipped, brows threaded and groceries done all within an hour. Here, the UPS store is 10 minutes north, the grocery store is 5 minutes west, and the HomeGoods is in another shopping plaza across town. But honestly the biggest shock to the system was that stores close at 8 p.m. ????! I would be lying if I didn't admit to mildly panicking more than once and thinking - was I ready for this?? SUBURBIA??

The change was definitely uncomfortable at first but it has forced us to slow down in ways that deep down I know we wanted. I have come to finally appreciate the many wonderful trade-offs such as hopping in the car to see my parents, enjoying slower mornings, and best of all, walking outside and immediately smelling salt in the air. Being able to step into the sand and see the ocean just 10 minutes from my apartment has been giving me all the "pinch me" feelings.

Although there are things I miss deeply - my girlfriends and community in NYC being the biggest - I am finally starting to feel settled and am grateful for this season that is nudging me to explore my passions and build a community here. I'm especially excited to pour more energy into Pilates and my personal growth and to establish roots in the area. Although I'll have to figure out WTF to do with my hair here because the humidity has been less than cooperative.

If this move has taught me anything, it’s that change - even when good - can feel jarring. But discomfort brings opportunity and I'm embracing this new chapter wearing a bikini, sunscreen, and driving gloves (the hands age first!). Thanks for joining along. Here's to whatever comes next!