If you knew how many different times I’ve started, deleted, and restarted this email, you’d probably think I’m losing it! (Maybe I am!) 😜 While I have much to share, finding the words is proving to be more difficult than usual.

In the interest of conserving time and energy on both our parts, I’ll do my level best to keep this concise.

The new beginning that was ushered in with the Year of the Fire Horse has been shaking things up in more unexpected (and beautiful) ways!

Plot Twist:

I accepted a full-time job with Experience Olympia & Beyond, the destination marketing organization here in my adopted homeland! 🤯

This is not at all what I had planned as the next step in remaking my life in this new era, but here we are.

In early February, a morning of serendipitous moments brought the opportunity crashing into my awareness. Reading through the job description, it was like they made it just for me!

I sent in my application the next day, not really expecting much to come of it. Within a few hours, they replied to schedule an interview. 😳

When the offer came in, two interviews and ten days later, everything in my body was screaming, “Fuck yes! This is perfect!” Thankfully, I accepted before my brain could jump in with all the reasons why this might be a terrible idea.

You see, since I left my traditional corporate job in March of 2012 (Fourteen years?! How is that even possible?!), I’ve been focused on work that gives me more freedom, particularly the ability to choose when and where I do what I do.

Accepting a job that asks me to be mostly in one place and work specific hours looked like a step backward. My mind was reeling, trying to reconcile the feeling of alignment with the contrast to what I had valued in my life and work for so long.

Turns out, some of my values have shifted. 👀

In discovering a place that feels like home, I find myself wanting to put down roots for the first time in my life. It’s a new and welcome sensation, this sense of belonging to a physical place, to the land and the community. 💚

Two weeks in, my answer is still a resounding “yes”. I get to smoosh so many of my loves together—intentional travel, building community, fostering connections, supporting local businesses, and getting others excited about this place I’ve fallen head over heels for.

There are certain to be more reflections as I settle into this new era (this is so much more than a new chapter). Right now, I simply need time to reorient myself in the world.

I’m still taking my trip to the UK, which is coming up faster than I want to think about! (I wouldn’t have taken the job if that was going to be an issue.) The Wandering Weirdly podcast continues on, too! Everything else goes on pause, for now.

I may or may not continue sending emails through the Spring. It will be a surprise for both of us! Right now, I’m not forcing myself into any schedule or requirements for my passion projects.

I’m so very curious to see where the creative energy flows when it has free rein to simply follow the inspiration.

Though I have no intention of getting back on social media, stranger things have happened. 🤷‍♀️ Everything I thought I knew or wanted is currently up for reevaluation! For now, you can always shoot me an email or come connect with other curious creatives in our Explorer’s Circle WhatsApp group.

That’s all for now, my friend. As always, thanks for being on this journey with me! The winding, wild, and wandering road continues to carry us forward, and I’m excited to see what’s next.

Until next time, adventure on!

Cheers,

Annie