I think we're all faced with this at some point in life. In my 30s I chose to live somewhere that probably everyone who visits wishes they could live. It was Jamaica and I learned that living there and vacationing there couldn't be more different lol. It was HARD! It's not all beach days and cocktails, it's survival of the fittest!
You are such an incredible writer! This was one of your best!!! I still can't believe that you weren't working as a writer before this journal began! Thanks Isabel, this was beautiful!
I have thought this same thing when I visited my brother in Seattle, and I live in a small rural community on the central coast of California. I never moved away from my college town or county, and I always wonder... what if I had moved home to San Diego, or to Seattle, or Portland to teach like I always imagined, or San Francisco
I’m completely obsessed with this article/post! I love the picture you painted of the life you dream of but also living the life you dreamed of in your early 20s. In this season of my life I’m completely in the same boat. Last year on a whim, I moved to South Carolina, and let’s just say by late spring last year I moved back in with my parents. But while I was in SC, I used every chance I had to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains. I found myself mostly in North Carolina, creeping closer and closer to Asheville. I soon found myself day dreaming and planning for a life in Asheville. What possibilities await me there? Well now, nearly 6 months later, I find myself still stuck with my parents in Oklahoma. I’m thankful for my family and my dog (Millie) is obsessed with her grandparents and they her. She is living her best life here with them, while I’m still daydreaming of Asheville.
P.S.
crossing all my fingers for a remote job so I can move and Millie and I can live our best outdoorsy girl lives. REI can have my whole paycheck. ⛰️🏕️🥾
Once again find your prose so enjoyable. Excited also by your foster announcement and not surprised one bit. Special people foster and that is you and Jacob and of course Simon ❤️
I started in downtown Boston, then life takes a turn and now in Las Vegas and the mountain of Utah. I always feel different when i get to Utah, a weight is lifted from the crazy of LV. It’s a place I need and look forward to, that breath of fresh air.
Ugh, I love this. I’m finally living in a city I dreamed of living in since so was a teenager - San Francisco. And while I couldn’t be happier right now, I know myself and my partner’s future isn’t here. We need a big yard for all the dogs we want to have! But it’s nice to dream.
This is soooo real! I just experienced this in Seoul, South Korea. It's a place I've wanted to go for so long, and it lived up to my expectations and surpassed them in many ways. The melancholy of knowing everything I won't see and do or the people I won't meet. Makes me want to cry! But it's a comfort to know I'm not the only one experiencing it. <3
I live in Hagerman Idaho. About 4 1/2 hours west of Jackson. I was born and raised in Idaho. Always lived somewhere in the west. Traveled a lot but came back to Idaho when I retired. ‘Idahome’!
I took myself to Kanab for my 50th birthday to volunteer and had those same feelings about the landscape and wondering what my life could look like living here and volunteering every day at Best Friends Animal Society. I was born in Chicago and still live here.
took me 25 years to get there but worth the wait. When you do decide to go, make sure you sign up for your volunteer sessions as soon as possible as they book up very quickly. I really wanted to spend time with the goats and pigs but sadly none of the time slots were open.
Going to new places in the United States is so much fun. Any time I travel to a new place in the US I try to get a new tattoo. Wyoming/Utah are two of the states I would love to get some fresh ink from!!
Our daughter moved to CO three years ago. They love it. The outdoor activities, hiking after work, (did I mention that working late means possibly staying until 6?), mountain views, mountain hikes, everyone has a dog and everyone brings their dog everywhere. But they miss family, they miss friends, and vacations now seem to exist in trips back east.
I have always lived in NJ or NY. I have always wanted to live in CA. Up above San Francisco huge cliffs, wild ocean. I live in NJ. And I dream of Maine, same reason as CA, huge cliffs, wild ocean. Someday, someday...
I moved to the country after my husband died and lasted for three months until I saw a tree mouse in the house. I know there are rodents in cities but I hope and pray I don’t see them!! City life for me at least right now.
When I was 20 I took a year off from college, one day I read a help wanted ad in the local newspaper in Clinton, MA, yes the newspaper, for a job in Yellowstone National Park, I applied and well 1 year turned into 7 years living and working in Yellowstone. It changed my life, and until then I always imagined living in a big city like New York but I ended up doing the complete opposite. I now live in Northern California but whenever I see someone sharing photos of the Greater Yellowstone area it just squeezes my heart, when I see someone wearing a Yellowstone T-shirt I always get the feels and want to ask, “did you work there?” But I never do.
I’ve never been fortunate enough to live in anything other than big cities. But I’ve spent a lot of vacations going to places like Yellowstone Smoky mountains and last year had a great trip to Yellowstone and grand Tetons. I always feel like it feeds my soul to be in those places.Had a great last night in Jackson at the cowboy bar and I might’ve had a few too many drinks!
I always get so nervous that I’d get bored or feel isolated but I’m feeling more and more drawn to a slower pace of life! We also had a few drinks at the Cowboy Bar 😉
I think we're all faced with this at some point in life. In my 30s I chose to live somewhere that probably everyone who visits wishes they could live. It was Jamaica and I learned that living there and vacationing there couldn't be more different lol. It was HARD! It's not all beach days and cocktails, it's survival of the fittest!
That’s so fascinating! I’ve always wondered what it’s like to live in a vacation town
In some ways, it's easier than life in Canada and definitely cheaper. But in other ways, much more difficult. Especially in a developing country.
You are such an incredible writer! This was one of your best!!! I still can't believe that you weren't working as a writer before this journal began! Thanks Isabel, this was beautiful!
I’m still not *really* working as a writer but I appreciate this community so much ❤️
Well, people are paying to read your writing! But, when you get that first book contract we will consider it working as a writer!
I have thought this same thing when I visited my brother in Seattle, and I live in a small rural community on the central coast of California. I never moved away from my college town or county, and I always wonder... what if I had moved home to San Diego, or to Seattle, or Portland to teach like I always imagined, or San Francisco
Yes! It’s so hard to get stuck in that mental loop
I’m completely obsessed with this article/post! I love the picture you painted of the life you dream of but also living the life you dreamed of in your early 20s. In this season of my life I’m completely in the same boat. Last year on a whim, I moved to South Carolina, and let’s just say by late spring last year I moved back in with my parents. But while I was in SC, I used every chance I had to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains. I found myself mostly in North Carolina, creeping closer and closer to Asheville. I soon found myself day dreaming and planning for a life in Asheville. What possibilities await me there? Well now, nearly 6 months later, I find myself still stuck with my parents in Oklahoma. I’m thankful for my family and my dog (Millie) is obsessed with her grandparents and they her. She is living her best life here with them, while I’m still daydreaming of Asheville.
P.S.
crossing all my fingers for a remote job so I can move and Millie and I can live our best outdoorsy girl lives. REI can have my whole paycheck. ⛰️🏕️🥾
I hear Asheville is amazing! It will always be there waiting for you. No rush ❤️
Once again find your prose so enjoyable. Excited also by your foster announcement and not surprised one bit. Special people foster and that is you and Jacob and of course Simon ❤️
Thank you for saying this! It means so much
I started in downtown Boston, then life takes a turn and now in Las Vegas and the mountain of Utah. I always feel different when i get to Utah, a weight is lifted from the crazy of LV. It’s a place I need and look forward to, that breath of fresh air.
ps: I miss the city too :)
I love this!!!
Ugh, I love this. I’m finally living in a city I dreamed of living in since so was a teenager - San Francisco. And while I couldn’t be happier right now, I know myself and my partner’s future isn’t here. We need a big yard for all the dogs we want to have! But it’s nice to dream.
I relate to this SO much
This is soooo real! I just experienced this in Seoul, South Korea. It's a place I've wanted to go for so long, and it lived up to my expectations and surpassed them in many ways. The melancholy of knowing everything I won't see and do or the people I won't meet. Makes me want to cry! But it's a comfort to know I'm not the only one experiencing it. <3
Omg I want to go so bad! That’s where Simon’s from ☺️
I live in Hagerman Idaho. About 4 1/2 hours west of Jackson. I was born and raised in Idaho. Always lived somewhere in the west. Traveled a lot but came back to Idaho when I retired. ‘Idahome’!
Idaho is gorgeous!
I took myself to Kanab for my 50th birthday to volunteer and had those same feelings about the landscape and wondering what my life could look like living here and volunteering every day at Best Friends Animal Society. I was born in Chicago and still live here.
I want to go to BFAS SOOOO badly!
took me 25 years to get there but worth the wait. When you do decide to go, make sure you sign up for your volunteer sessions as soon as possible as they book up very quickly. I really wanted to spend time with the goats and pigs but sadly none of the time slots were open.
Going to new places in the United States is so much fun. Any time I travel to a new place in the US I try to get a new tattoo. Wyoming/Utah are two of the states I would love to get some fresh ink from!!
Omg that’s such a fun tradition! We get magnets in every new place
That's a great idea too ... You totally should post a picture of all your magnets :)
Our daughter moved to CO three years ago. They love it. The outdoor activities, hiking after work, (did I mention that working late means possibly staying until 6?), mountain views, mountain hikes, everyone has a dog and everyone brings their dog everywhere. But they miss family, they miss friends, and vacations now seem to exist in trips back east.
I have always lived in NJ or NY. I have always wanted to live in CA. Up above San Francisco huge cliffs, wild ocean. I live in NJ. And I dream of Maine, same reason as CA, huge cliffs, wild ocean. Someday, someday...
It’s impossible not to wonder what your life might look like had you chosen different ❤️
I moved to the country after my husband died and lasted for three months until I saw a tree mouse in the house. I know there are rodents in cities but I hope and pray I don’t see them!! City life for me at least right now.
I coexist with the city rats as well 😂
When I was 20 I took a year off from college, one day I read a help wanted ad in the local newspaper in Clinton, MA, yes the newspaper, for a job in Yellowstone National Park, I applied and well 1 year turned into 7 years living and working in Yellowstone. It changed my life, and until then I always imagined living in a big city like New York but I ended up doing the complete opposite. I now live in Northern California but whenever I see someone sharing photos of the Greater Yellowstone area it just squeezes my heart, when I see someone wearing a Yellowstone T-shirt I always get the feels and want to ask, “did you work there?” But I never do.
I LOVE THIS. Just goes to show life is never what you expect ❤️
And yeah, I almost always say, I could live here, when I visit some new place
Jackson is one of my favorite places on earth! But I live in Salt Lake... so why move? I love my home.
Best of both worlds!
I’ve never been fortunate enough to live in anything other than big cities. But I’ve spent a lot of vacations going to places like Yellowstone Smoky mountains and last year had a great trip to Yellowstone and grand Tetons. I always feel like it feeds my soul to be in those places.Had a great last night in Jackson at the cowboy bar and I might’ve had a few too many drinks!
I always get so nervous that I’d get bored or feel isolated but I’m feeling more and more drawn to a slower pace of life! We also had a few drinks at the Cowboy Bar 😉