I bet you thought I had given up on this blog. Well, I have decided to move on from writing frequently, however I thought this would be a good time to send around an update on my life. What a year it has been since I started this blog in January. Some good times, some bad times, but all around, some defining moments. To recap a few:
- Laid off in January - major transition but ultimately a good thing
- Started Rachael English, LLC to start consulting
- Attended a personal leadership conference that opened my heart
- One of my BFF's moved to Ethiopia!
- I traveled to China for my old company - it rocked my world! I ate a scorpion :)
- Was honored to be in my Little's wedding out in Vail, Colorado
- My best friend had her first baby - little Addalyn Rachael!
- Had a kick ass bachelorette party in Chicago for my BFF Katie
- Created a business plan with a fantastic partner for a business I know we will get to one day!
- Participated in various workshops and panels thus honing my passion and focus
- Sublet my townhouse for the summer - became a nomad for two months!
- And now...
As many of you know, I have decided that after nine years in our nation's capital, it is time to move forward. I cannot express how much this city and it's people have impacted me. I am a better person because of my decision to move here and I believe that my time here has forever shaped the woman I am and the woman I want to continue to become. I was determined to get to D.C. my entire life. I was so drawn to the city and knew it would be a great place to spend my 20s...boy was I right!
As that song says, "Life's a journey, not a destination." I was fortunate to have a pretty long period of time here in D.C. where I met friends I will take with me forever. And so it's not with a sad heart, but with a full and hopeful heart that I move into this new chapter. Just another stop on my journey of life. There will be tough times; there will be rough patches; but I'm taking with me the strength that I gained over the years which shows me that I am ready for anything!
So as I pack up my things and move out of my townhouse on September 1st, I will go with a few tears of course, but more than that, a HUGE smile filled with years and years of memories and fun. My plan is to take a little time in my hometown of Hamilton, NJ, regroup, pound the pavement and get myself a full-time job ideally in the great city of Chicago. I know some of you might be worried - how will a girl like me who brushes her hair every 20 minutes be able to survive in the Windy City?? Well, I will say the same way I did in every other city: with lots of love and support in my corner and hairbrushes at work, at home and in every purse :)
Thank you for being there to support me. I can't wait to share this next journey with all of you! I am feeling a new blog coming up as I make the transition and move. So stay tuned for that!
Know that you all are forever etched in my heart - you have made an impact more than you could know - I have a takeaway from each of you. Thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step. I promise I won't let you down! Here's to moving forward!
Love,
Rachael
P.S. A good friend pointed out that having a theme song is important during transition. And so of course, my theme song comes from my favorite artist, the great Kelly Clarkson!
"I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly,
Thought it's not easy to tell you goodbye.
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway."
