If it flows it goes. A story about manifesting your reality.

A story about how having a clear vision of what you want, following your heart, taking iniative and trusting the process can help you manifest your reality.

Sarah, her pup Brody, and me at the top of Broken Top in 2019, with the Three Sisters behind us.

 A little over two years ago, in September of 2019, I visited a girl I barely knew. Little did I know, she was about to make one of the biggest impacts on my life.

Sarah was a friend of a friend, I had met her on a hike and one other time at a happy hour, but short of friendly small talk and the knowledge that she was moving back to Oregon within a month of our first meeting, I didn’t know much. We followed each other on social media so we could keep in touch, and she offered for me to visit and stay with her if I ever wanted to explore the Pacific Northwest, which I doubted I would since I barely knew her.

But then she started posting pictures of her hikes, and they spoke to me on a whole new level. In my deepest heart of hearts, I knew I had to be there. My longing to be there was so powerful, that three weeks later in September of 2019, I stepped off the airplane in Central Oregon.

A few days after my arrival, Sarah and I were sitting at a local brewery surrounded by a bunch of cute doggos. It just felt…right. It was at that brewery that mentioned to Sarah that I could see my husband and me living in Central Oregon. There was just something about the mountain air that felt homey and put my soul at ease. I remember saying, “We’ll be here in two years,” and Sarah laughing and saying, “Well, a lot can happen in two years.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Six months after that conversation, in March of 2020, the entire world came to a screeching halt with COVID-19. During this time, many people’s lives were flipped upside down for better or for worse. Many of us realized how short and fragile life is and how important it is to do what you want NOW rather than later. Which is why, six months after the world shut down, Matt and I loaded up the car and drove to Central Oregon for an extended stay to test out what it would be like to live across the country from everyone we ever knew and loved.

My husband Matt and me, at the top of Broken Top, with the Three Sisters behind us (South, Middle & North.)

To say I set myself up for failure is the understatement of a lifetime. Even though Matt and I were only one year into our five-year plan, the trip went so well that I wholeheartedly believed that I could just stay in Oregon at the end of our two-month stay. Logically, I knew this couldn’t happen, but in my irrational heart of hearts, I truly believed that I would not be required to move back home. Which, is very likely why, when we returned to Conshy in October of 2020, I fell into what can only be described as depression. My soul felt like it had been shattered into a million pieces.

Worse, with COVID rates climbing, the temperatures dropping, and limited outdoor options near our home, I felt isolated and caged. I was dying to break free, so I asked myself what I ask many of my clients, “What is in my control?”  This simple question is what led me to form a hiking group with my friend, Julie. I also began to find joy in giving virtual talks to women-focused organizations, and as vaccinations become available, I began meeting up for walks and coffee dates with friends I hadn’t seen since the pandemic had started. I also reconnected to myself and started to re-prioritize my health by eating more mindfully and focusing on moving my body. 

These small steps allowed me to bring joy back into my life. I was happy. In fact, for the first time in a really long time, I felt truly at peace and fulfilled. But, that didn’t sway or diminish our desire to eventually live somewhere that we could be surrounded by that fresh mountain air.

As I looked at our goal, and the hurdles we faced in making it a reality, I continued to focus on what was in my control, especially as the housing market spiraled out of control. In addition to choosing happiness, the number one thing in my control was making choices that would alleviate the financial strain that moving would eventually put on us, and the stress it would put on my husband who is the primary earner in our family.

I evaluated a few different options, and the one that made the most sense was welcoming more clients to Conshy Coaching. I was concerned that by having too many clients I wouldn’t be able to maintain that deep connection I loved having with my clients, but surprisingly, when I increased my roster from 5 to 15 clients per week, I actually found that I was more engaged and responsive than ever. Best of all, I still had time to prioritize things that were important to me, like taking naps and going for walks! This worked out so well that heading into next year, I’ll be adding 5 more spots to my client roster, which I couldn’t be more excited about!

Here’s the biggest takeaway that I’d like to pass on. The moment that I started focusing on what was in my control, creating opportunities to fulfill my need for freedom and connection, and trusting the process when the timing was right, things started to flow. In fact, Matt and I created a new rule which is, “if it flows, it goes.” The moment we felt resistance in any aspect of our life, we paused to question why and redirect if needed.

Matt, Sarah, and I at the top of Black Butte. The day our offer on our new home was accepted.

So, when Matt and I were vacationing in Oregon a few months ago, and we found a house that checked every box of our wish list, including the location to downtown, mountain views, and a fenced-in backyard for Chauncey, we jumped on it. We agreed that if ever we felt resistance at any point during the process, we’d pause, evaluate, and back out if needed. But the thing is…. That resistance never came. Our offer was accepted, and less than 10 days later, we had accepted an offer for the sale of our home in Conshohocken. Both close processes were seamless, albeit a whirlwind, and two weeks ago, 45 days of finding that dream home…we officially became residents of Central Oregon.

It is still a bit surreal, but I think it’s a true lesson in speaking your dreams, taking a bit of initiative, focusing on what’s in your control, and trusting the process.

After all, if it flows, it goes, and everything can be simple if you let it be.