I've been a Floridian for just over a week now. (Spoiler alert: we are loving it!) Though I'd say we generally knew what to expect when moving down here, there were still some things we didn't see coming. Here are 8 things that caught us by surprise after settling into our new home state:
Surprise #1: My skin completely healed.
The northeast winters had my skin jacked up. If you're from a place that gets into single digits during this time of year, you know what I mean. My hands and face were so dry, and my husband's fingers were literally cracking to the point of bleeding! After just one week in the Sunshine State, it's like Jesus himself performed a miracle on us all. Everything is completely back to normal and healed. Even some patchiness and redness I'd had for years is suddenly gone! Looks like warmer temps and salty air did the trick!
Surprise #2: I didn't need all my "stuff" as much as I thought I did.
Packing up a whole house for a family of five was nothing short of a nightmare. I did my very best to try to organize our things thoughtfully, but by the end, we were racing the clock and it all quite honestly turned into mass chaos with things just shoved anywhere they could fit in our moving pod and cars. The goods news? I am far less dependent on my material possessions than I ever would have imagined. Living minimally has been much easier than anticipated, and we are just rolling with what we have! It's a big reminder of what's truly important in life.
Surprise #3: My toddler mealtime struggles disappeared.
This one may have been the biggest shock to me. But as anyone with toddlers well knows, they can be picky and challenging during mealtimes. I refuse to feed my kids any junk, and they've always had healthy and balanced diets, even back in CT. But now being in a place with local farms and produce readily available year-round, we've embraced our nearby farmer's market and involved the kids in our grocery shopping. We even have a new "game" we made up where my 3-year-old picks out a new fruit or vegetable she sees, and we try it altogether when we get back home. I can't figure out if it's the (extremely) fresh foods, truly non-GMO/organic/all the things options available, tastiness of the raw dairy and no-preservative baked goods, or something else entirely... but they are clearing their plates, every single time. They are asking for seconds and thirds, and I'm happy to give it to them! We went from mealtimes being hit or miss (having to incorporate more pantry goods than I'd have liked), to all fresh and devoured without hesitation. It's actually made eating with them really fun!
Surprise #4: Getting things delivered here is much faster.
I'm guessing it's because of the friendlier business climate in Florida, and more affordable land nearby, but I've literally never gotten my packages delivered more quickly. From grocery orders supplementing our farm stand finds, to Amazon purchases, I was never offered same-day delivery within mere hours of placing my order back north. It's pretty cool to get things you need so instantaneously!
Surprise #5: My mood is way more affected by weather than I realized.
Guys... I am so much happier in the sun. Aren't you? I feel like I had Stockholm Syndrome back in the largely dreary tri-state area... "I like it here. Seasons are good. Daily overcast is normal. One of these days it'll stop raining. Snow is pretty. It won't be cold forever. No sun for weeks is fine." LOL These are some of the lies I told myself for 30+ years. But you know what? It's okay not to like those things and crave blue skies and feeling the sun on your skin. It's okay to like being in a more comfortable, livable temperature day to day. I know it will get hot here in the summer, but you can still be outside and do things. Almost everything is shaded, there is water and splash pads for kids everywhere. But I realized I did experience severe seasonal winter depression every year in Connecticut, and I'm so happy to never have to feel that way again. I'd trade it this way a million times over! Being in the Florida sunshine makes me feel inspired, optimistic... makes me want to go do something and live life! It's a vibeee.
Surprise #6: Access to real food opened up a whole new world.
Piggy-backing on the earlier point about my kids enjoying the food down here more, so am I! I have never had access to such fresh, local produce without any crap or additives. It's delicious. So much of what I was used to had a lot of preservatives in it in order to make it shelf-stable or last the transit to the CT grocery stores. Now my food literally goes from a nearby Florida farm, to an adorable little outdoor farmer's market, to my plate. I'm trying all sorts of new things, too! It's been quite the culinary adventure. I'm not sure I could ever go back to the way I was eating before. It's been incredibly gut-healing, as well. My skin is healed, my brain fog and lethargy are gone. Even my monthly cycle was better than it's been for the first time in a very long time! I have to imagine it's due to what I'm putting in my body and how my lifestyle has changed already. I'm eating better and moving more... is that all it took all along? And I am consuming much more nutrient-dense foods, the way nature intended them to be - without "big food" or "big agriculture" involved. I love that I'm supporting my local farmers. It feels like it's the way it's supposed to be! Plus, I finally get the chance to buy raw milk and dairy - something outlawed where I was from. Say what you want, but I believe dairy straight from the animal is the way God intended us to enjoy milks, cheeses, and the like. All the good stuff isn't pasteurized away, and by the way... it tastes incredible. But don't just take it from me, come visit and try for yourself. ;)
Surprise #7: Happiness is contagious.
It’s true. I would honestly say, without hesitation, that people down here are much happier. Is it the warmer weather? Is it something in the water? Who knows. But the locals we've come across so far are kind, generous, helpful, and patient. A stark contrast from the general population of the Northeast, where we're originally from. Whether at a coffee shop or on a playground, everybody seems to go the extra mile, and want nothing in return. I'm not used to it, but I'm glad I get to get used to it! Furthermore, people down here look for any excuse to party! We've already attended the Tampa Bay BBQ Festival, and have the Children's Gasparilla Parade on the docket for this weekend. As I write this, we're on our way to the daily (yes, daily!) "Sunsets at Pier 60" - a free, year-round celebration in Clearwater featuring artisans, street performers, live music, entertainment, and of course a world-famous sunset! From foodie festivals to local traditions, state fairs, concerts, sports events, and everything in between, the Tampa Bay area is alive with fun!
Surprise #8: Change is good.
It's so easy to let fear control you and keep you from evolving personally, professionally, and in life in general. This is by far the greatest change I've ever gone through. Moving is hard enough, but moving to another state where I've never lived before? Some might call that crazy! But I did my research, I knew what I wanted, I prepared for it, and I did it. I cannot even begin to tell you how freeing it is to have the courage to do what's best for you. It was not easy, but it's already worth it. I feel refreshed, renewed, and reinvigorated. I get the chance to start over somewhere where my values and goals are more aligned. And I get to give a better life to my children, most of all. Change can be scary, but it is necessary for growth. Wherever you are in your life, I hope you remain present in where you want to be, and stop at nothing to attain it. You deserve it. Life is short. Be happy!