Leaving my “big girl job”...

Today is my last day, I'll be leaving my “big girl job” and fully stepping into life here, trading in a 8-5 for homestead hours. There’s a mix of excitement and nerves, but mostly, I feel like I’m on the brink of a new chapter that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

   If you’d asked me a few years ago if I saw myself leaving the stability of a traditional career, I might have laughed at the idea. But as Brian and I started picturing the kind of life we truly wanted, we found

ourselves drawn to something different: a slower, more intentional way of living, focused on family, community, and connecting with the land. The more we talked about it, the more we knew this wasn’t just a fleeting idea; it was a path we needed to follow.

   And the decision didn’t happen overnight. We spent hours, days, weeks even, considering what it would mean financially, logistically, and emotionally. We crunched numbers, educated ourselves on homesteading and simple living, and leaned on each other as we weighed the pros and cons. Over time, it became clear that the security we felt in my day job was holding us back from fully embracing this vision we both wanted so deeply and it kept us from reaching much larger potential.

   Don't get me wrong, we still don't have all of the answers but with

the plan we have and a little faith, we are taking the leap. There’s a strange mix of nostalgia and relief in finally letting go. Brian and I have spent months—years, really—getting to this point, and as it sinks in, I realize how much this decision is about something bigger than just a job change.

My job was taking away from us growing here on this little patch of paradise that we found, there just wasn't enough hours in a day. I personally was feeling the call for something different. And though I never saw myself leaving my job I starting getting the itch for more. The bottom line was I was no longer able to do BOTH well. And if you know me I am a perfectionist and overachiever. I thrive in a challenge but this particular challenge was an endless circle of splitting time that seemed to go by way too fast and wearing too many hats. 

  Preparing to leave the job that’s been part of my identity was no small task. From putting in my resignation to clearing out my workspace and finding my replacement, I found myself feeling

everything from excitement to doubt. Every conversation with coworkers reminded me of the comfort and camaraderie I’d be leaving behind, and yet, deep down, I knew I needed this change. Brian has been my rock through all of this, encouraging me to trust my instincts and reminding me of all the dreams we sketched out over cups of coffee, late-night chats, and journal scribbles.

  It’s bittersweet, closing this chapter, but I’m so ready to step fully into the next one. The road ahead might be a little uncertain, but knowing we’re doing this together, with each other’s full support, makes it all feel possible. Also I little nod to the best friends we gained through this journey who have been nothing but loving and supportive on this ride. Here’s to the next chapter at Silver Star Homestead, and to chasing dreams that feel both wild and exactly right.

Lots of Love,
Bri