It’s been a minute since I’ve written a blog post or posted on Instagram and there is a reason…. I have news!
I waited until things were official to share, but I am officially writing this seaside in Sarasota, Florida. Our move happened so quickly (we decided to move on Dec 5th and closed on our home 6 weeks later!) that I’m still getting used to the change myself- but I feel like I owe it to all of you to explain why I am no longer Belle on the BeltLine.
Goodbye, Atlanta
When I moved to Atlanta five years ago, it was for a fresh start, all on my own, in a new city. After five years of severe health issues, I was desperate for some distance from the past and to put my career first.
I was chasing my dream job in finance, making up for a less than typical college experience, and my move was a chance to get my life back.
And I did just that. I earned the promotion, I got the high rise apartment, I got married, I bought the starter home. And along the way, I started writing about my adventures, exploring this city with a fresh set of eyes like I was studying abroad in Europe.
Because that’s sort of what this adventure was for me- just that. In fact, I’m pretty sure adventure is my most-used word on this blog, ever. But the bittersweet thing about adventures is that eventually, they end. And you want to go home.
The Sarasota Farmers Market- Tips for Visiting
Deciding to Move
At the start of 2022, Ryan and I decided to take the year as a “pause”- we wanted to reflect and be intentional about our time, our choices, and give ourselves from breathing room after what felt like a really overwhelming 2022 and 2021.
It wasn’t easy- it was even uncomfortable for me to slow down- but the space it gave us allowed us to decide what we really wanted for our life and for our family. And we realized that the life we wanted was a simpler life- one that was by the sea, near family, and more peaceful.
But the thought of leaving Atlanta just seemed impossible- and I wasn’t even sure if we were just daydreaming or if we were just talking about taking a really beach long vacation after a really busy few years!
And I knew in my heart that moving meant giving up so much- my job, potentially my blog and all of you, the life I had built by hand after graduation.
Halfway through the year, we took at week vacation at one my favorite places, Saint Simons Island. The week came at a perfect time- we were able to unplug and spent hours walking the beach and talking about everything we wanted from life, if reality wasn’t hindering us.
And we talked about wanting to live somewhere a little quieter and wanting to be near family. I talked about my job- how climbing the corporate ladder was stressful and making me nervous about having kids one day, and how my commute was the worst part of my day.
We also talked about dreams- being able to walk the beach every day, trips we wanted to take, becoming a Master Gardener (me!), learning to scuba dive (also me!)…. anything and everything that would be on our bucket list. And we just kept coming back to two things: family, and the ocean.
Belle on the…Boardwalk 🙂
A lot of people think we are absolutely crazy to pick up our lives barely two years after buying a house and getting married, but here we are.
It’s a little bit terrifying to upturn our entire life, but it would be scarier to wake up one day and realized we never went after what we truly wanted.
And as hard as change is, I want to be near family, take walks on the beach every day, and start a family of my own. I want a slower, gentler pace of life no longer defined by my past and “making up for lost time”, but defined by the present moment and my family.
I am so, so excited about this next chapter. Thank you for sticking with me as I give this little corner of the internet a fresh face and a fresh perspective.
I am so very grateful for each of you that has been a part of this journey. Thank you for making Belle on the BeltLine what it was, and I hope you will join me on this next chapter.
Belle on the Boardwalk will be filled with beach days, exploring the coast, frequent weekend trips (especially to Atlanta, I still love the city so much!), and life in-between.
And all of my Atlanta posts are still saved under the “Atlanta” category- and I will be visiting the city often, it is truly one of my favorite places in the world and I owe my entire blog to the inspiration it has given me.
P.S. I have to be honest about one thing: There is no famous boardwalk in Sarasota, I just loved the alliteration and it felt “right” after BeltLine…especially because I always say the BeltLine feels like a boardwalk! 😉
