I Walked Away From My Picture Perfect Life and Bought a One-Way Ticket to Paris

The story behind what it took to get here, and why I think you should "just go for it", as seen in the New York Times.

Two years ago, I packed up everything I owned and bought a one-way ticket to Paris.

When I left, I didn’t know what I was doing or where I was going. I just knew I had to go.

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READ THE STORY IN THE NEW YORK TIMES!

When I first arrived in Paris, I was certainly a bit naive and wide-eyed. Fast forward, and life in France has been thrilling and also a bit terrifying - yet entirely worth it!

While I’m quite excited about the feature in the NYT, it’s not really what I want to talk about. I want to talk about what it took to get here, and hopefully provide you with a bit of inspiration for your own journey.

I thought starting over was going to be the hard part, but in all reality it hasn’t been. The hardest part has been learning to embrace where I am while still dreaming of a bigger future.

I’ve spent a long time fighting the gap between where I am and where I want to be, and I wish someone had told me earlier…or rather that I would’ve just accepted it earlier: the journey is the destination.

As tempting as it is to hit the fast forward button on our lives, skip the uncertainty, and land on “happily ever after”; it’s who you become on the journey that is the gift. And any wise woman knows, this can’t be skipped.

How boring would a movie be without the uncertainty?

A sweet little outfit from my friends at French Trotters, a MUST when coming to Paris! Click here for my map to Paris with all of the best shops!

When I came to Paris, I didn’t have an apartment lined up until weeks before I moved. I had no idea how to use the metro. No clue how to navigate the city. My French was…rusty. And I had zero certainty that I would be able to make it. Actually, as I write this I recall, I didn’t even have a visa at that point!

But reflecting on the past year, I realize that each moment has been crucial in shaping who I am becoming, and with that, I can trust that every setback, question, or triumph is an important part of “the story”.

Shop my beauty favorites!

I hope you can relate and find peace in that with me. Finding joy in where you are is the challenge, all while building the grit to become the version of yourself who has everything she ever wanted.

I wish someone had told me that embracing that friction - between where you are and where you want to be - is the whole point.

While I’ve certainly experienced some moments of tears in my tiny studio apartment, this week there is joy. Today you’ll find us in the New York Times, I hope you enjoy it.

For those of you who have been here since the Etsy days, thank you, can you believe it!? And for those of you just getting to know me (and Boxwood), I am so grateful you’re here, welcome aboard!

Bisou! Chloe

perfect pink blush • yellow blouse • black slides • floral dress • green clutch • cream tank • sunnies • floral earrings • pink blouse • yellow handbag • pink dress • red sandals • yellow tank

P.S. I’m filming again (see the latest on YouTube!), writing again, and the Mercantile is freshly stocked with new items! We have a few spots left for our September antiquing trip in Provence, I hope to see you there!