This year was the craziest one yet!

I just passed on the one year anniversary of moving back to Florida and three years of blogging. I have a mix of emotions. It feels like Taz and I moved yesterday and also 10 years ago. It’s been a YEAR! Holy cow it’s been a rough one for us full of growth and reconnection. I’ve taken a huge step back lately in trying to figure out this thing called “life” so hopefully I can pick up where I left off and explain what’s been going on. 

Moving

We came back to Florida at the end of the August in 2018 and that was a roller coaster in itself. We packed 10 giant boxes and shipped them out from my last job. They were rockstars and helped me out so much! After we got here, we spent the next five months bouncing back and forth between my parents’ house and Taz’s grandparents trying to decide which coast of Florida would be the best for us and for our growth. It was confusing and quite frankly exhausting but we unanimously decided to go to Tampa since the crowd is younger and we thought we could find more like-minded creatives to spend time with. However, we do spend a lot of time going to visit family still since my sister and brother still lived at home. (And so I can go see my parents and my family’s dog too haha.)

Photography

Taz rebuilt his photography website and relaunched his business this year. He’s been a photographer for years but took a brief break when we lived in Utah. Now that we are back, he works on that full-time. It’s incredible to look at his photos from the beginning of our marriage until now. He was good then but OH MY GOSH it’s incredible now. If you haven’t checked out his work, go to his website HERE. 

Podcast

Briefly, Taz and I started a podcast. However, it’s on an indefinite hold because life got too crazy and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. We loved the feedback we got on it and one of us or both of us hope to start a podcast again. I will let you know when/if that day happens!

Blogging 

I’ve had an amazing year of blogging and worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet. I’m so blessed to be where I am but I cannot lie and say any part of it is easy. I’ve had endless roller coasters of emotions and honestly, I wanted to take partnerships at times just to stay afloat. It quickly became a chore instead of a joy and I knew something had to change. I’ve taken a significant step back lately and took a full-time job in marketing/PR for a local company. As I am writing this, I have tears in my eyes because I feel like I completely failed. I failed my blog, my readers and even myself.

From taking this leap in the first place, I put not only myself but my family in danger because it became difficult and put my mental health at an all time low. Going back to work was and is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Honestly, I didn’t want to at all but I knew we would never be able to save much without it. I debated sharing this with anyone because I was ashamed what others would think of me after I publicly announced that I would be blogging full-time. But, this new job quickly became a HUGE blessing and helped me not only financially but mentally as well. Three weeks after I was hired in July, they took me to a work conference in Orlando. I was thrown in the deep end but LOVED it! I even spoke on stage to everyone there! Now, I edit all the videos for their customers. Also, I still work with all of my previous clients and found a great rhythm to keep doing things for them. 

Where are we now? 

Life got SUPER crazy in July. I got hired July 1st at my new job and spent evenings with Taz trying to find a new apartment. After looking at nearly a dozen apartments and reading A LOT of online reviews, we found the place we are now and love it. It has a pool, a gym and it allows pets. How much better could it get?! (Now to get a dog. Right, Taz?!) We moved in July 26th when I was at my work conference. Taz and a couple of his family members moved us in. (What did I do to deserve him? He’s the freaking best!) I attempted to start a book club and I’m hoping to open my online shop at the end of September or beginning of October. I have a lot ready, I just need to pull the trigger (EEK!) 

Thank you for being a support to me during this time. This year was full of growth and change. As much as I miss my Utah friends, I know this is where we are supposed to be. I haven’t shared a lot about my struggles, but I finally feel joy for the first time in a while. I’m so lucky to be where I am and I truly know that now.

XOXO Kayla