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Some personal news

I know. You probably hate the title of this post. But admit it: when someone starts a tweet that way, you pay attention.

Before I get to the news, some context:

Throughout my childhood, my parents and I, and sometimes other family members, vacationed in Nags Head, NC. Those trips were so exciting to me that, as a kid, I thought of the calendar year in two halves: the time when I was waiting for Christmas and the time when I was waiting to go to Nags Head.

Fishing with Dad, Nags Head

Fishing with Dad, Nags Head

I have so many happy memories of the weeks spent at the beach: swimming multiple times daily, walking most places barefoot with my beach friends, and driving past Jockey’s Ridge and swearing we’d climb it someday (we never did) to name just a few.

As a teenager, I had the realization that I could live at the beach, maybe as soon as college. I secretly plotted a future that included a college at the beach or spending a college summer break in Nags Head.

Instead I got practical. I attended Cornell – great school but Ithaca has little in common with the beach. And then I moved to NYC for a job. Beaches nearby but when I was in my early twenties, no one told me about them.

Time passed. My failure to chase the beach dream gnawed at me periodically. Not daily, but often enough.

In 2020, though, when the pandemic arrived and gave me too much time to think, I couldn’t help but ask myself what was stopping me from making my dream a reality. Sometime last summer (around the time I got my first tattoo), the answer came to me loud and clear: nothing is stopping me. I just needed to be brave.

The result is that I will be moving to Los Angeles later this spring. If you thought I was going to say Nags Head, apologies. The Outer Banks are wonderful but LA is more practical for me career-wise as beach living goes.

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I have started the process by getting quotes from movers, decluttering (buy my stuff on Poshmark!), researching how to fly with the girls and looking at apartment floor plans online. Now that I’m fully vaccinated, I’m planning to make a trip to make a final decision about where to live. Expect more obnoxious sunset pics.

While I feel a smidge guilty leaving NYC, undoubtedly the best city in the world, I am excited about living on the West Coast for the first time in my life. Owning a car for the first time in a decade? Thrilling! Visiting friends in Portland and Seattle on a whim? Wonderful! There are so many places I want to explore.

It helps to know that once regular business travel resumes, it’s likely I’ll have regular trips back east.

I have some great friends and colleagues in Los Angeles and it will be such a treat to get to known them all over again at leisure.

So, there’s my news. If you have any tips or tricks for a long distance move, feel free to leave them in the comments.

I couldn’t do this without the love and support of Mom, of course. 💓



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Jennifer Keene

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Comments

17 responses to “Some personal news”

  1. Michelle (@perkpowe) Avatar
    Michelle (@perkpowe)

    I moved from Maine to Florida, three years ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I hope (and believe) you’re doing the right thing. Always follow your dreams!

    Reply
    1. Jennifer Keene Avatar
      Jennifer Keene

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Kimberley Jasuta Avatar
    Kimberley Jasuta

    I made the move from Pennsylvania to Florida almost 2 years ago. Best decision I’ve ever made. Every one told me I was brave but I didn’t see it that way but you’re right. You have to be brave to make a big move like that. You’re a strong, beautiful, brave woman and I wish you the best.

    Reply
    1. Jennifer Keene Avatar
      Jennifer Keene

      Thanks so much for the kind words, Kim

      Reply
  3. Tzvi Avatar
    Tzvi

    Happy to have you!

    Reply
    1. Jennifer Keene Avatar
      Jennifer Keene

      Me too!

      Reply
  4. Jeremy Occhipinti Avatar
    Jeremy Occhipinti

    Wonderful news, Jennifer! I moved from Taylor to Mission Beach, San Diego, at age 20 and never looked back. Welcome to Southern California! You’re going to love it.

    Reply
    1. Jennifer Keene Avatar
      Jennifer Keene

      Thanks Jeremy!

      Reply
  5. Mookie Avatar
    Mookie

    Congrats on the big move! The best thing I’ve found in my long distance moves (Sydney – London – New York – London – Sydney) was how much I DIDN’T need most of the physical possessions I discarded during the moving process. Set yourself free! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Jennifer Keene Avatar
      Jennifer Keene

      I totally agree. I read a Marie Kondo quote about how if you shift your mindset from "what do I get rid of?" to "what do I keep with me?" the process goes better.

      Reply
  6. Barb C Avatar
    Barb C

    Jennifer, I’m so very happy for you to be living out your dream! If this last year has taught us anything, it’s that life’s too short and there’s no time like the present! We’re not promised tomorrow so go for it, don’t look back and I’ll be one person that will be glad to see your beach posts. 😃 I’ll live vicariously through them…lol. Good luck, although I know you’ll be fine.

    Reply
    1. Jennifer Keene Avatar
      Jennifer Keene

      Thanks so much

      Reply
  7. Debbie Freeman Avatar
    Debbie Freeman

    Having done the cross country move thing twice, I can just tell you those decisions were among the best I’ve ever made.

    And if you feel like checking out Phoenix, it has been a VERY long time since we had a drink/meal and I’d be happy to see you! I’m about a 6 hour drive or 1.5hr plane flight!

    Reply
  8. Lori Brown Avatar
    Lori Brown

    Congratulations!! Live.The.Dream!!

    Reply
  9. Sasha Avatar
    Sasha

    Yay! Congrats and congrats to me too as you’ll be closer and maybe we will have more time to work together and see each other more than at SB and the occasional work production shoot.

    Reply
  10. Carolyn Kirk Avatar
    Carolyn Kirk

    What great news this is! The pandemic gave lots of people a chance to pause and figure out what’s important. Our daughter loved every minute of her 10+ years in SoCal – and then moved to St Pete last August – for a house and a yard. I can’t wait to see what’s next for you 😊

    Reply
  11. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    Love this! I’ve moved cross country twice – you’re already a pro: lighten your load, and figure out how to get those fur babies packed : ). So excited for your new adventure!

    Reply

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