Moving On…

elk rock 7

Hello! Sorry for the silence here. I’ve been away on set and now I am getting ready to move. After 14 years I am leaving Portland. It’s so bittersweet! I love this city like crazy.  I am going to miss the food, the landscape, and the people like mad. I’ve never lived anywhere this long but I couldn’t help staying in a city that has been so good to me. Portland will always be home.

For the moment, I am going to switch out my prop styling hat for farming. I leave for a European farming adventure at the end of June. The reasons for going are so deeply personal and also the trip is a bit unplanned, so honestly it’s been tough for me to talk to people about it. For a long time I’ve dreamt of trying out another life. It seems so easy to get caught in a rat race of working like crazy to buy more stuff or just to afford life and I often wonder what the purpose is. There is more than one way to live and I’d like to try this new way out for a while.

I look forward to sharing snippets from my new life here on the blog. Have you ever tossed out your life for something totally new? I am finding it’s such a cliche that is easier said then done! Pulling away from a life, opportunities, and a career is really tough but I am excited for new challenges.

Thanks for reading.

More soon!

xo

Chelsea

36 comments

  1. You’ll be missed so much! Best of luck on your new adventure–it sounds perfect. I remember you telling me how much you loved playing in the dirt as a kid–back to your roots! 🙂 xo

  2. Hi Chelsea, I moved to Hanoi Vietnam from Melbourne when I was 34. I ended up staying for 18 months. Like you it wasn’t particularly planned. I didn’t know a soul and had no job but things fell into place. I’d worked hard for years as a dressmaker/designer beforehand and it was so good to just change everything! It felt like I opened my eyes for the first time in a long time. Good on you and I wish you the best.

  3. Oh i’m so happy for you Chelsea, life changing experiences are so good! I moved from the capital to deep rural but i didn’t change career (i’m an architect), but the opportunities here are not really the same but then again i believe that the place doesn’t define what you can do, sometimes we have to create our own opportunities and continue to challenge ourselves, and here i found love, myself and what i really want and Love to do (design, flowers, styling). You can always continue to prop styling in where you are going! 🙂 It is a flower farm? I would love to have an experience on one! If you want to visit Portugal in your European staying i’m more than pleased to welcome you! 🙂

  4. Wow, how exciting, a European farming adventure?! Sounds like an amazing opportunity. I hope to make the switch to homesteading here in Oregon sometime in the future myself. I totally understand the need to do something new! Best wishes! Wish I’d been able to meet you while we were both in Portland! =)

  5. Good for you, listening to your heart! May it be a chain of experiences that opens your heart and soul!

  6. Wow, that is some serious, crazy, big news. You always struck me as sort of a planned, carefully considered, kind of person. So the slightly unplanned, changing continents and careers (especially when you are so good at what you do) seems extra big. Following your heart? Trusting the universe? Walking your talk? Really going for the simpler life?
    Scared silly? I think we all have those dreams we dream about “for a long time”. I know I do. Best of luck in seeing where yours lead. I have this feeling for you that it will be somewhere wonderful.

  7. Greatness comes from bold acts like this! Best to you and congratulations! It takes an incredible person to follow their heart. Bravo

  8. There was a time when I was seriously considering going to work on an organic farm. That idea didn’t ever pan out, but it was fun thinking about it. I hope you have the time of your life, Chelsea! xoxo

  9. Bon voyage Chelsea! Hats off to you! It’s going to be GREAT! We will all miss you here in Portland but we are so lucky to be able to follow your adventures on the magical internet. Happy trails to you…

  10. Sometimes the most courageous thing is stepping out from the normal we’ve become accustomed to. I applaud your brave decision to try something new and expand your life’s horizon Chelsea. I myself tossed out my settled life ten years ago to spend a year volunteering in Africa – it brought me a whole new vision, personal mission and direction for the future – one on which I am just now embarking as I’m finally finishing some education I needed to pursue that new vocation. But more than anything, it helped me get to know myself better and get to know more of this incredible world we live in and the people we share it with. I can’t wait to hear how your adventure progresses. Thank you for sharing it with us and know you have our thoughts and prayers urging you on. Blessings to you.

  11. I’m thrilled for you Chelsea! This is such exciting news, I love your brave and adventurous spirit and I’m looking forward to following your journey. Anything I can do for you, let me know.
    Xx

  12. !!!!!! I can’t believe it’s almost time! I’m so excited for you. There is a part of me that wishes I could go too! 🙂 Portland will welcome you with open arms if you decide to come back. xoxo

    (I’m going to try to make your tag sale but I might not be in town that day.)

  13. I’m so excited for you. I have left the US a few times and it’s been wonderful, except for the part when I come back to the US and feel really unsettled…I’ve only been in Portland one year and I am planning to go back to Spain in October to stay hopefully longer than 8 months. If you ever make it to Mallorca, Instagram me.

  14. You guys are amazing! Thanks for sharing your stories. They give me strength! And thanks for your sweet encouragement. Jaime- I’ll be starting out in France. More details soon. Thanks for being the sweetest readers! xoxo

  15. What an exciting new adventure! I look forward to hearing about your new journey here on your blog. I’m so glad I was able to meet you before you leave at the Seattle flower class. You are a wonderful teacher! Many blessings to you.

  16. Dear Chelsea, May your visit to Europe bring you the restoration and inspiration that you seek. You’re very welcome over to our side of the pond. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures. Xx

  17. How exciting! I have so much respect for your decision, and your graceful way of stating it. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for you!

  18. I’m so excited for you – and proud of you for making this big leap! It’s hard and so scary to make a big change like this, but I can only imagine the memories you’ll make on this grand adventure. I look forward to following along!

  19. Chelsea,

    Best wishes to you on your new adventure.
    There truly is more than one way to live and you are entering into a time that will
    surely bring you closer to simple beauty and meaning to life.
    I am cheering you on.

    Nancy

  20. Chelsea… I have always loved your courage! You’re going to grow in ways that’s going to bring you closer to what really matters. Like everyone, we’re all excited for you and can’t wait to go on this journey with you. Your courage is giving courage to take a leap too. But you’re ahead of me, you took the first step and you’re actually doing it!!! Now it’s my turn now 🙂 Keep being the light that you are. We need more of you in this world.

  21. Good luck!! It’ll work out. I started anew last year after 12 years in one city and, although there have been some bumps, overall it’s been the most wonderful thing I have ever done. Can’t wait to hear about your new adventure!

  22. oh sounds bittersweet – Goodluck with your move and new landings, may it be filled with lovely adventures, new friends and happy moments!
    I did something similar in my early 20s…moved to the tiny Island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean (where my parents were born…) went for a year but stayed for five…was wonderful!

  23. I’m so thrilled for you. I’m sure this adventure will have it’s ups and downs but it’s going to be amazing. Sending a hug for your trip and genuinely hoping to come give you one abroad!

    Kacie

  24. It’s really funny, I have been thinking the very same thing lately. I have thought about scaling down my belongings and moving back to my homeland of New Zealand and just travelling and working where and when ever I felt like it. Have a fabulous time and keep us posted re your adventures.

  25. wow!! good for you! something new is so invigorating, challenging and inspiring! i moved from Tel Aviv to Vermont when I was 47 with three kids, it was challenging but the best thing ever! I had to start my whole life over, I was a fashion editor and creative director in Israel, it was a giant change for me, from 100% hectic to 100% quiet, it took a few years to find my new way but it was totally worth it! much love, good luck and hugs!
    xox Tam

  26. Hi Chelsea

    I haven’t commented on a blog for months (years?!), but had to say bon voyage and bon courage to this! It sounds very exciting and though daunting, I do believe that the bigger the leap of faith, the bigger the reward, in that something happens when you leap into the unknown – something bigger than you steps in and ensures a soft landing in the right place. That’s what happened to me anyway when I moved to another country – it gave me more than I ever thought possible or had in my experience to see in advance. Enjoy your adventure!

  27. aaahhh chelsea. i admit i have checked out of the blogging world and came back today to read your blog and check in on your adventures. i so much identify with what you are going through and find it comforting. i left LA almost 2 years ago, spending 10 months in a cabin and the last months since then trying to find a purpose again. when i saw on instagram you were taking these french farm adventures, i immediately was inspired. yet, somehow totally scared. i feel i have to choose between wanting a family life (dating-ugh, etc) or traveling and exploring. it is such a hard decision. anywho…i am just rambling and projecting, but i applaud you in your courage and fortright. you are simply inspiring and i hope to do something like this in the near future. thank you.

  28. wow ! congratulations .. a little envious over here! from your ig pics i can see it’s going swimmingly. what a beautiful leap of faith.

  29. Been following your European adventures on Instagram, and today decided to check out your blog and see what inspired it all.

    I gave up my life in Victoria, BC (kind of like Portland’s little sister, these days, I like to think) for a life in Melbourne, Australia. I only stayed for a little over two years, and was so, so hard at first, but it ended up being so very worth it. Now I’m starting over all over again in Vancouver, and even though it’s super close to home, now I miss the life I left behind in Melbourne.

    Good for you for doing this very brave thing. I’m sure you will find (if you haven’t already) that it’s worth every sad/lonely/homesick day.

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