My First Season on the Oregon Coast | Reflections on leaving it all behind to follow my dreams

I Just Spent My First Season In A Tiny Town
On The Oregon Coast Living Alone For The First Time. . .

And I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world!

So, here we are for another Sunday blog post- and I’m realizing I’ll only be writing one more of these Sunday posts before my darling husband is home to stay! We’ve been apart since I left for the coast at the end of September- and he stayed behind to wait for a job opportunity that felt better aligned for him. Aside from when he came to surprise me for two days around Thanksgiving (this crazy guy drove through a horrendous storm to surprise me, it was something completely unexpected!), I’ve been all alone in my box (aka RV) here in the coastal forest.

I already told you how incredible the first stormy night in my RV was, and how I let myself stop feeling guilty for following my heart- and just let myself live and love what I’d created in my life! And I told you about some of the amazing people I met in those first couple weeks. . .

But what I want to tell you about now is what I learned about myself! How I grew in a way that I was totally unaccustomed to- I grew not by reflecting like I usually do, but this time I grew through EXPERIENCE! I grew through presence and joy and just gleefully pursuing what lights me up. I learned by pushing my upper limits in the most playful, serendipitous way- and it was just pure magic.

Picture this:

• You just left behind everything you’ve ever known

• You have all the time, money, and resources to make your big huge dreams come true

• You’re alone, no interruptions, no traffic sounds, nobody to take care of or collaborate with

• Your entire life is a blank canvas of freshness. . .

What do you do?

This was the first time I ever lived alone. At 17, I moved out and found myself an unofficial foster home. Upon graduation my husband and I got married (we’d been dating since we were 14!), so there wasn’t really any gap there! We went off to college, family housing, and off we went with our lives. I’d never lived alone, and honestly the thought of living alone had always terrified me. But the ocean was calling me, and I needed to go. So I faced all my biggest fears, and I went. Alone.

I took my blank slate and looked at my dreams… and I got to work. I locked in the habits I’d been working on (morning routines, eating less dairy and more fresh goodies, writing daily, etc), and I set even more powerful habits and routines in place to support me in maintaining my health and inspiration and vibrancy through out the gloomy coastal winter I knew to expect… and the inevitable day when I’d have more people in my life and home again, influencing my decisions and habits if I was wishy-washy in them!

With new habits in place, I started rebuilding my social life. I made friends with the “neighbors” (forest live, neighbor is a loose term. I love these nearby humans though). I made new biz besties- something I TOTALLY did NOT see coming in a retirement town at the edge of the world- but that’s what serendipity does, I suppose! Pure magic!

I met artists, the most incredible people! Writers, speakers, a surprising number of coaches! I went to see Frozen II by myself (bawled my eyes out, you know it). I fell in love with new coffee shops and discovered the most delightful English tea house. I finished my next book. I grew my business. I was discovered. . . and appreciated and shared in my industry. . . just for being me.

What I’m really trying to say is. . .

When I Stopped Feeling Torn, And Just Made The Decision

. . . I became the butterfly!

Can you feel the actual magic happening? Rachel Renee is the artist behind the camera capturing my life with an open heart.

I don’t hesitate anymore. I’m writing. (If this post isn’t proof enough!) I’m putting myself out there. I’m sharing my work- and seeing the ripple, the impact, the clients, the lives touched. I’m watching everything change before my eyes and it’s pure magic. It all started with that brave step, taking the leap. Choosing my dream.

I’m still unfolding. My biz bestie tells me my butterfly wings are changing colors, and I love that description. It’s true. I’m not the woman I was when I first came here. And yet? I’m more myself than I have ever been. I think I finally met me, and wow. Is that an experience.

I hope that you follow in my steps, in your own incredible way.

I hope that if you’re feeling torn, you listen to that heart of yours- cause I promise you she knows what she’s talking about! No matter who you’re afraid it might hurt, who you might disappoint, who might let you down. Because your impact, your purpose, your passion, your creation, your ripple in this world. . . Your LIFE that is yours and only yours to live. . . the ONLY life you get? That’s your responsibility. Yours. And yours alone. It’s not for anybody else to decide.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned through all of this is to believe in myself. To my very core, believe in myself. Because I AM kindness. I AM love. I AM the beautiful intention I constantly stop to make sure I’m aligned with. I was so afraid of ever hurting anyone in the past. . . and today? That fear is a distant memory. Because I know that my loving core is guiding me. I know that I’m considerate and loving and thoughtful. I know that when I’m being true to myself, I can never be the kind of monster I’ve been hurt by. And at the end of the day? That’s what matters.

Kindness is built into my every breath. And I have a feeling, when you care for yourself and honor yourself. . . You’ll find the same is true for you as well. (Can you feel the sigh of relief as I realized this? I hope you feel the same in your own life, it’s just around the corner for you too. I can feel it.)

Take Your Leap. Become. You Are Ready.

Thank you for taking the time to soak in my story. It’s an honor to share with you.

And that goodie I was telling you about in the beginning? It’s right here. It’s the story an incredible interviewer and storyteller came all the way to the edge of the world, to my little RV in the forest to hear. . . and then share with the world. You’ll love it. Trust me.