on the road: the berkshires

All prints by Mateo & Tobias 

I'm writing this post from Mocha Maya's, in the cozy town of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. I'm sitting here, nestled in the Northern Berkshires, comforted by the sound of the Deerfield river and the smell of pine needles. In a word: perfection. I'm exploring the town (and the art scene!) while my husband is in an interview (fingers crossed!). So far, I'm completely in love with the charm of this place and the people are a breathe of sparkling fresh air after living in a not-so-friendly local for the past 2 years.


Life is pretty crazy for us right now. We are moving in 3+ weeks, that much is set in stone, but we have no idea where we'll end up. Our entire life is up in the air, so many unknowns, so many dreams…..but, neither my husband nor I would have it any other way. I knew when I moved from California to Southern Connecticut to be with my husband 2 years ago, that it would be a temporary home. We've been scheming to leave ever since. When, where, how? Those were questions we couldn't answer (and still can't really:), but it didn't stop us from traveling around the U.S. in search of a place to call home. We've narrowed down our top locations to: Colorado (Boulder or Denver), The Berkshires (Western Mass.), or Vermont. I have fully thought out and lived a life in each of those places in my daydreams…..and I'd love to be in any of them.

Any of our dream locations would offer us the outdoorsy, crunchy, friendly, mountain town with a great art community that we are looking for and we have family in all 3 places, which is a huge plus. But, I think I'm secretly hoping the Berkshires works out for us because the art scene is just what I'm looking for AND it's a short drive to my mecca: Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health.

What I have to offer all of you today, though, is this: take a risk, take one small step toward your dream life. I've stood at a crossroads like this so many times, where every facet of my life is up in the air and uncertain, and I've been terrified every time. But, I've always chosen to take a risk because I can't stomach not living the life of my dreams (or as close to it as I can get:). I've gone through long periods of feeling imprisoned by the the life I'm leading, wondering how I suddenly found myself working a job that makes me miserable, living in a town I can't stand, or surrounded by relationships that did not fulfill me. That's a maddening position to be in….but having been there in the past is what keeps me pressing toward my ideal and finding a way to make it happen. In my experience, when you ask the Universe for what you really want, the way to get there finds you. It's just a matter of believing that and sticking it out in spite of your doubts, fears and nausea.