Embracing Change, Growth, and Creativity

Last summer, an opportunity came out of the blue for Matt to pivot back into an industry he loved—and be well-compensated, too. The catch? It required moving to Arizona, a place that wasn’t even on our radar. Both Matt and I, along with Kai, love winter, snow, firepits, and the changing seasons. We’re so Midwestern, with just the right dash of East Coast sensibility. But the Southwest called, and it felt right in my soul—almost as if the hand of God was at play. Everything fell into place quickly, and before we knew it, we were off.

When you follow a nudge from God, it doesn’t mean the path will be seamless or easy. It does mean it will shape you into the person you’re meant to become and prepare you to make the impact you’re destined to make.

Arizona is a world away from what we’re used to—the seasons, the driving, the abundance of chain restaurants, and the newness of everything. To make the most of it, we’ve both tapped into parts of ourselves we didn’t know existed. We’re leaning into discomfort (and I’m not just talking about the summer heat).

What Have We Learned in Our First Few Months Here?

Lesson 1: Make the Most of What You Have

In moving to Arizona, we’ve learned it has 6-8 months of outdoor-friendly weather each year. Our rental came with a large backyard. It’s mostly gravel, not grass, but we decided to make it a space we’d actually use.

Here’s how we’ve made the most of our Arizona backyard in just a few months:

I sketched out a plan in Canva, ran it by Matt, and got to work finding budget-friendly pieces (because we don’t know where life will take us next). We created zones tailored to our lifestyle: an outdoor projector with sectional seating and a Solo Stove, a cornhole and planters area, a bistro table for work with more planters, a dining table with benches and a food prep area, and an intimate chiminea for contained heat on all sides. It’s still a work in progress, but it’s rewarding to see the transformation.

To make it more comfortable for both feet and paws, we added rugs and grass/wood tiles from IKEA. I even found a greenhouse on Wayfair to help bring the space to life.

Lesson 2: Embrace Arizona’s Three Growing Seasons

With Arizona’s unique growing seasons, we decided to try seed starting and raised beds for flowers and vegetables. Initially, the greenhouse was just to fill space, but it quickly became a hub for growing kitchen herbs and more.

I researched plants that could thrive in Arizona’s intense summer heat and found varieties like hibiscus, plumeria, and jasmine. These were hard to source locally or prohibitively expensive, so I started seeds and even sourced plumeria cuttings from Hilo, Hawaii. Fingers crossed they thrive!

Matt’s practicality balanced my enthusiasm. When I envisioned raised beds for the backyard, he quickly calculated how much soil we’d need and asked, “What will we do with all this soil when we move?” That question led us to discover a fantastic community rental garden where our crops are thriving.

TIP: If you’ve moved to a new rental place and want to dip a toe into gardening, google local community garden. You may be surprised by what you find and the people you’ll get to meet.

Seed starting has brought me unexpected joy. Every day, I check on the greenhouse, whisper affirmations to the seeds, and celebrate every sprout. It’s therapeutic, grounding, and rewarding. Who knew growing plants could spark so much happiness?

Lesson 3: Explore the Beauty Around You

Arizona is home to some of the most stunning landscapes I’ve ever seen. The backroads from Flagstaff to Sedona are breathtaking, with awe-inspiring views at every turn. It’s a reminder of nature’s power and resilience—beauty thriving in the harshest desert conditions.

We’ve only scratched the surface of what moving to Arizona has to offer, but we’re determined to see more.

(Also, did you know Arizona produces wine? We visited a winery that uses mostly AZ grapes and were pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste!)

Lesson 4: Be the Light

One surprising discovery has been how initially closed off people can seem here. Even New Yorkers made more eye contact than we’ve experienced in Arizona. I know we are here to raise the vibration—to bring more happiness, community, and authentic connection.

Smiling at strangers and engaging in small acts of kindness has started to shift the energy. And having a nosy, lovable golden retriever helps, too. It also reminds me of this message I received from a tulip many moons ago.

Lesson 5: Keep Creating

The world needs creators more than over-consumers. Inspired by our new surroundings, we’ve started a batch of limoncello and homemade lemonade using lemons from the community garden. Matt also made fermented kohlrabi, which turned out delicious. Our thriving bok choy inspired us to try making kimchi next.

What else should we try making?

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These lessons, while different from what I share with my leadership clients, all embody the principles of heart-centered leadership and living. Spirituality rooted in nature. Spreadsheets to track growth. E-commerce that supports small businesses and sustainable living. This journey of moving to Arizona has been about embracing change, creating joy, and leaning into the unknown—one seed at a time.