Leaving Tahoe wasn’t easy. I had built a life there – raised my kids, worked in the schools, and grew through some of the hardest and most meaningful years of my life. But after everything we’d been through, I knew it was time for a fresh start. So here my kids and I are, in Maryland. A new place. A new chapter.
The air feels heavier here, and the sounds are different — no more mountain wind or the hush of snow falling. Now it’s trains in the distance, crickets at night, and birds I don’t recognize yet. There’s a lot of green. A lot of space. It’s quiet in a new way.
This move wasn’t just about changing where we live. It was about rebuilding. Slowing down. Breathing differently. Letting go of old weight and figuring out how to feel grounded again. I’m still learning. We all are.
I decided to start this blog back up because writing helps me process things. And maybe someone out there is going through their own kind of “starting over” too. So I’ll share the real stuff – the messy, the funny, the unexpected moments – and the things that are helping me settle into this new life.
It’s different here. But that’s the point.
☕ Support the Journey
If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele