Well hello everyone!

Yes, this past December I had pretty much put the blog away and started to live life away from the public eye. It gave me time to think, REALLY think, about what I wanted from my new life here in FL.  First and foremost, I wanted my family happy, healthy, and safe.  Secondly, I wanted to give them more time since I now had it due to retiring from the blog. Funny thing started to happen though…I found I was the same Amy, with or without the blog.

I did find peace. I imagine it is how anyone feels once they leave a job, or anything, they do for a long period of time. You go through stages of excitement that you don’t have to do it anymore, than almost a grieving period of “now what?” I found I had time to try new things, like couponing, but I also felt like I was missing something.

Like I said, I had plenty of time for the family, my extended family, my friends, and the house. Yet, there was still time left in the day that I found myself thinking “I miss writing.”  I did go to the Parks with new eyes for the first month, but then I still found myself seeing things that I wanted to share and write about, and it was a very empty feeling to know that I made the choice to walk away.

You know what is harder than making a choice? Knowing that sometimes you have to swallow your pride and know that maybe that choice wasn’t the right one. I should have taken a break instead of a full out retirement, but how I felt at the time was so strong that it felt almost like ripping a band-aid off all at once by shutting it all down.

The reasons for what led me to leave it in the first place were of my own, but I have made peace with them and honestly feel really good and excited about my come back.  I found out that while I didn’t write, the readers I had never left, the TRUE readers, never went anywhere. They emailed me, private messaged me, called me, texted me- they found a way to let me know they supported, loved, and wanted me back.  To those of you who did, and you know who you are, thank you for letting this humble Midwestern writer feel important and blessed.

So how fitting would it be, in God’s timing always, that I would re-launch the blog today, on our THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the blog. Yes, that’s right- I didn’t plan it this way until a few days ago I looked at the calender and thought “How cool is that?!?!”

I am happy to officially announce that yes, The Relocated Tourist is back! I am completely over the moon excited with new projects, ideas, and writers.  Relocation will always be the main idea, but being a general blog about living here gives me the ability to blog on any dang thing I want. I am not here for numbers, for press time, or for fans. I am here to write from the heart, to share my dreams with other dreamers and to give others a chance to have their voice heard as well.  It will be the blog you remember, plus added caffeine and a whole lot more heart.

So welcome back to all my future, current, and wanna be Relocated Tourists…..are you ready for the next chapter?

Donations for Content

Going from “What If? to “Why Not” is my life motto and I work hard at living that every day. I share everything from moving to Florida to live near Disney World to road trips across the States. I love the cool, quirky, and crazy stuff that I can find on my Adventures, and every dollar you donate helps support my efforts and hard work. Thank you to ALL who support me!

$5.00

Published by Amy Joy

Inspiring adventure and joy, one day at a time. View all posts by Amy Joy