On July 8th, with EVERYTHING piled in my car, I went to breakfast with my roommate (breakfast tacos). I drove back through town to pick up coffee from my favorite place and cookies from my favorite place and make a deposit at the bank. Somewhere along the way, I realized that my bike rack was not going to do. So I abandoned the bike back at “my old” apartment.

After what seemed like an eternity, I finally left Nashville.

To put it mildly, the emotions were mixed.

I was excited for a new adventure and eager to not be in Nashville. But at the same time, Nashville has all of the best people…the ones who put up with my occasionally ornery nature, the ones who understand how much coffee I need to function, and the ones who know when to leave me alone (or not).

And…I didn’t really have a plan. And I like plans.

Looking back on the past month of “not having a plan,” I don’t think I could have planned things any better if I tried! All along the way, new opportunities have presented themselves…because I’ve been open to them!

When I set out on this adventure, that was my goal – be open to opportunities. Because of this, I’ve met new people and gone to new places and learned how to eat a fresh lobster! I hiked in four new states and I made a pie with blueberries that I picked and I dove into a lake after practically bathing in flour for several days (Kneading Conference…it’s what we did). I discovered a beach full of snails (SNAILS!) and ate a cannoli sitting on a bench in Boston and I survived a slightly questionable bite (still not sure what that was all about). I did yoga in a park and I’ve gone days and days without showering.

I have a vague notion of where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing “next”…but from what I’ve learned so far, less planning is better.