I’m back from a looonngg hiatus from baby world to “real” world. Any parents out there that can relate?

Picture this….we moved back to our good ole’ hometown of Tri-Cities at the very end of 2020 from the Seattle area during a pandemic, during a freak winter and then finding out new years day (*cue gasp*) that I was pregnant with baby #2! Fast forward to 2022 in writing this post, and about 15 months post partum and the fog I feel is just beginning to lift. Ack, where did the time go?!

And of course moving back to your hometown you expect to run into a few familiar faces (some more familiar that others) at the grocery store where you’re stopped and asked the infamous question “hey how’s it going?”

My humble response is always something lackluster when really I’m thinking, “how can I sum up my chaos in 60 seconds??” 

So after a long foggy journey of post partum physical recovery, a now healthy baby out of the NICU, a growing toddler, and a new-ish place to call home, I’m finally ready to come out of my hidey hole.

I am definitely feeling like a caterpillar just coming out of her cocoon and ready to transition into a new stage of life. Current changes include: back to work, a toddler in pre-school, a 1 year old, a husband who now fully works remote (yay) and a new market for me to learn and business to grow.

I used to have strong feelings of shame for building such a tall fortress away from the “real world” but looking back now, I’m glad I took that time. The kids have taught me the importance unplugging digitally, realign with my values, and find my identity again.

In the shift from an old me to a new one, I think I’m finally getting what the gurus keep talking about in “finding joy in the journey.” Honestly, I used to think that was a load of crock. But, now that I’m in the thick of it, I’m actually enjoying taking new steps.

So here’s a healthy hello, to a new season of life. 

And for anyone else going through life changes, here’s your permission to come out and say hello again to the world. (Or, if you’re still in that hibernating phase, that’s ok too. I hope you come out renewed and hungry for the world again. Like I am.)