Today is the 4 year anniversary of my move from a large Southern CA city to a small town in Missouri. I was born in California and had lived there for 62 years, so this move was a really big change.
I feel really settled in my new town now. I’ve made friends, support the community by being on the library and Women’s Network boards and love being within walking distance of my family.
My life has changed a lot since leaving CA, but it has been for the good. Moving here felt like coming home. The pace is slower, it is quieter, and the people are more connected. We have a strong community where people look out for each other and our schools and library are well supported.
My daily life is different here and varies by the season. Winter is indoor time with short dog walks and forays into the snow. The warmer seasons include yard work and mosquitoes. Even though I do more physical work here, it is by choice. I feel strong and get a sense of satisfaction when I see what I have accomplished. So much so, that I keep adding projects to my list.
I’ve learned a lot and had more then a few blunders:
- It took me 2 years to realize the “defogger” button in my car was also a window defroster.
- My attempts to start garden plants indoors from seeds before spring failed dramatically.
- I’ve nurtured and even re-planted weeds, not realizing what they were.
- I worked a lot harder at things like clearing fall leaves in the early years before I realized simpler ways of doing them.
- The paint I spent hours putting on my back deck last year is peeling and has to be redone
- Most of the time my home projects end up looking a lot worse before I figure things out and finally make them better.
I love that my town has a rich history. I live in Boone County, named after Daniel Boone, Mark Twain lake is nearby, and we have a civil war battlefield on the edge of town. There is a lot to learn and explore here.
Today, I can truly say I am home. This is where I plan to stay for the rest of my life. I love California AND I love my town in Missouri. I have been very fortunate to live in 2 very different places that have touched my heart.
I have even dedicated a part of my coaching practice to supporting others who want to make big moves. If you are interested, you can contact me here.
And, if you would like to read more about my journey from big city to small town, here are other posts I’ve written along the way.
Scenes from a Small Town Morning Walk
Adjusting to Small Town Life: The Shopping Dilemma
Moving from CA to Missouri: What about the Weather?
Moving to a Small Town in Missouri: My First 7 Months