Florida Life // 6 Months In

It’s a stormy, summer Sunday afternoon and we’re doing the epitome of chillaxin’ after a fun weekend with friends. It seems like just the right setting to write about my sixth month living in Florida. On one hand, it’s hard to believe that I’ve lived here half of a year. On the other hand, sometimes it feels like we moved ages ago… but that may be the homesickness of having friends and family miles and miles away.

Since it’s been a lazy day fueled by strong coffee, I figured I’d switch up the format of my monthly recap and do a virtual coffee date of sorts.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I got a non-wellness related job in Human Resources. In the last recap I said that I was itching to work; well, something finally fell into place (many job applications later). I’m glad that it is only part-time for now in order to adjust to a structured work schedule again. I am hoping to spend the hours that aren’t in my new office working on the blog, getting my health coaching services up and running again, and sharing safer skincare via Beautycounter.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I joined a gym — yahoo! This was a fairly hefty piece that’s been missing since moving cross-country. I’ve kept my body in motion the past sixth months with a mixture of running/walking, home workouts, and the occasional gym session, but I’m totally pumped to have a “gym” just a couple of miles from home that will push me out of my workout comfort zone. I say “gym” because Orangetheory Fitness is a boutique fitness studio. Essentially you show up and get coached through a 60-minute interval workout in a group setting. While I’m no rookie to HIIT or interval training, I’ve never paid for this type of membership. I’m going to give it a shot for a month or two, and see how I like it. My mind is so much clearer when I have consistent exercise in my routine, and I think the endorphin highs will be a beneficial mood booster.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I’m working with my naturopath again. I am hoping to get some answers on what’s going on with my gut (do I still have SIBO?) and possible hormonal imbalances. The brain-gut connection is so real, and so I’ve asked for help to continue healing my gut which, in turn, should help ease other various symptoms (i.e. skin and mood).

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that last weekend Nick and I ran the Tampa Bay 8K hosted by Lululemon. It was just a “fun run”, but the first organized run I’ve done a while. Running in the humidity is not for sissies. I started out way too fast and lost all steam by the end. We both finished at the top of the pack surprisingly, and enjoyed participating in a free community event with other local runners. All around it was a win-win.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I wasn’t aware of how wet Florida summers are until living in it. Being a California-native where the weather is often ideal, I’m not used to stormy weather in the middle of summer when I imagine spending my days outdoors in nature. Needless to say, I am eager for fall/winter when we don’t have to worry about lightning, flooding, intense humidity, and the grass won’t grow inches overnight.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I miss the ease of familiarity. As expected I suppose, almost everything in the past six months has been NEW: new house, new city, new roads, new friends, new job, new gym, new dentist, new grocery store, new coworkers, new climate, new culture. It requires a lot of mental energy that can be exhausting at times. But the best things don’t come from staying in your comfort zone. Isn’t that how the saying goes?

I am hoping that I’ll start to feel a little more like myself again (oh how I thrive off consistency and routine!) with a set work schedule, scheduled workouts, and the consistent support from my naturopath.

I survived the first six months of #floridalife… now I’m ready to thrive!

Thanks for reading,

xx Hill

Florida Life

Month 1: settling in.

Month 2: exploring our surroundings.

Month 3: fun with friends & family.

Months 4 & 5: figuring out my purpose here + California travels.

 

Have you done an Orangetheory Fitness workout?

What do you have planned for the remainder of your summer?