There’s something bittersweet about letting go of a chapter you once loved – especially one that shaped you so deeply.
What’s odd is that England wasn’t my first big move—in fact, it wasn’t even my first international one. But it was different on so many levels.
When I first started aBroad purpose, I was living abroad, processing my mother’s battle with multiple myeloma cancer, recovering from the trauma of Hurricane Harvey, dealing with an identity crisis, immersed in a new culture, raising kids far from home, and navigating life with all its beauty and chaos.
This blog was a lifeline. A space to reflect, to process, to connect. It carried stories of challenge and joy, homesickness and discovery, and a constant search for purpose in the unfamiliar. And let’s not forget about travel – every bit of exploration offered healing and inspiration. It certainly fueled an already burning addiction.
So…Why Keep Writing Now?
I no longer live abroad. That season has passed. And for a while, I wondered if this blog had run its course too.
I asked myself:
What do I write now? Who am I to keep sharing if I’m not “living abroad” anymore?
But here’s what I’ve come to realize:
Purpose Isn’t Bound To a Zip Code
I may not be an expat anymore, but the unique perspective and experience have no boundaries.
I still look for meaning and connection in unfamiliar places.
And I still believe in sharing stories and my itineraries so that you can experience that same bliss too.
Living abroad truly changed the way I travel forever. I was devastated to experience the COVID-19 lockdown while living in England when I knew our time abroad was almost up, but those months taught me more about travel than I ever imagined. That where you live has its beauty – sometimes it takes an event to help you see it.
One of my favorite places on earth ~ just took me a while to realize it ~ Acadia National Park
What You Can Expect from aBroad Purpose Now
Although it may be fairly obvious to those who have stuck by me since 2020, I felt like it was time to make it official.
These days, I write about travel that teaches me something. Often, first-time visits. About moments that catch my breath. About places that open my heart, stretch my comfort zone, or remind me how small and beautiful the world really is.
I write for the traveler who’s seeking details from someone who’s actually been there. For the parent trying to make memories that matter. For expats who need a nudge to get out, explore, and make every minute of a finite opportunity count. Or for a fellow anglophile…because I always find some relationship to where or what I’m doing with Britain.
You won’t just find checklists or top 10s here. You’ll find journeys. Real ones. With depth.
And you’ll also get an occasional expat post about a life lesson that someone may have asked me about that’s not already on the blog. Those stories tend to be the best!
Still Writing What Feels Meaningful
So while the format has shifted, the purpose hasn’t.
I’m still here. Still writing. Still chasing stories that matter.
Some of my moving products aren’t available on the blog anymore, but if you’re in a pinch, you can contact me in comments or on Instagram.
Thanks for sticking with me – and if you’re new here, welcome. There’s more to come.