Life Update from UTAH - An honest look at the past few months

[@annetterexroad1458]

Back in 2012, my husband and I decided to sell our house and 90% of our belongings to move into a 400 sq ft 5th wheel RV with our three sons (they were ages 9, 7 and 3). We had multiple garage sales, sold stuff on Craigslist and the woman who bought our home also bought most of the furniture. We lived in a local campground in VT for 5 months and then moved our RV behind our snack food factory for two months but the weather was too cold so we rented a house for the winter. The following summer we traveled across the country to 22 states and, to this day, that time period was the most free we have ever felt. We got out of debt, were outside in nature every day and fell in love with traveling. Since then we’ve bought a house in VT, much smaller though, and spend part of the year traveling. We lived in Italy for 8 months (Sept 2032-June 2023) to obtain dual citizenship and now are figuring out plans for when our youngest graduated high school in 3 1/2 years. We just did a full blown renovation of the main floor of our house with the intention of possibly using it as an investment property but we also may just want to sell in a few years. Your story brought back that feeling of freedom and ease that I remember so vividly over a decade ago. Cheers to a future filled with lots of 10s!

[@KristenCainStyle]

Hello, Annette- Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your story. Sounds like an incredibly journey!! Reading your words reminds me that despite the challenges, the joys of this chapter will stay with me always. Wishing you the best as you figure out what's next for you! 💖

[@kathrynnielson5689]

Your story is so similar to mine. Five years ago, our kids were moving out and starting their own lives so my husband and I sold our four-bedroom home and most of the stuff in it and downsized to an apartment. We had a huge dining room table that we'd gotten when were first married and had all through the years of raising our kids. A mom with many children came and bought it from us and sent me a picture of it in her home with her family around it, and I was so moved by that and happy that another family would be able to get good use from it like we did. We've never looked back. It has been the most freeing thing we've ever done and has given us the flexibility to travel and visit our son who eventually moved to the West Coast. I was like you, so desperate to unload the baggage, both physical and mental, and that's what we did. So good. I'm happy for you guys.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Hi Kathryn- Thank you for sharing your story. It's so good to know that you and others had similar experiences. I love that the mom shared a photo of her family enjoying your table!! That's the most special part of passing things on to others. The freedom is real! I'm leaning into it and enjoying the benefits of living with less. 💞

[@beverlyhartford4426]

Sending positive vibes to you and your family. I’ve recently found your channel and have been watching many of your videos. We have been through much what you have described your family has been through. We are have recently gone through all of our belongings and moved close to both our grown sons and family. It’s been an adjustment but feels good to be settled again and to be close to our family and grandchildren. They keep us very busy but in a good way. It has too stretched us in many ways. I guess we all go through these situations as our life changes and evolves in ways we could not have predicted. Hope you and your family settle in and feel the love of having each other close by. ❤. Thank you for your inspiration1

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you for sharing your story with me! I'm so glad you found my channel and appreciate the positive vibes you're sending!

[@kathyesargent9088]

North Carolina to Texas 40 years ago. In the last 15 years we have moved from 3000 square feet, to 1500 square feet for 3 years and then Finally 2000 was the perfect size. Im 72 and purge from 3000 to 1500 a great downing sold alot. It felt good. When I moved in to this home 2000 square feet it was furnished perfectly. We have bought new furniture and keep down sizing. My wardrobe was very large now it is manageable. I thrift mostly some new but purge about every 3 months. My wardrobe could😮 be smaller but my husband says why not enjoy so I do. We are financially well and no worries. My tens are loving each other, 3 sweet dogs no children and friends and church family and my husband is a great cook, so great food and love love love, beautiful home and yard and a God thats loves me and me him. Tens are everywhere, everyday and if change happens Im ready.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Kathy! This is fantastic. Thank you for sharing. I loved reading your list of TENS. Wow. What a beautiful life! 💕

[@denisecarter5117]

You are a joyful person.

[@karenpiotrowski]

Welcome to Utah! You’re gonna love it here…well most things😬. We moved here from Michigan 25 years ago, also chasing more sun ☀️ I hope I will run into sometime when I’m out and about thrifting. It’s not called Small Lake City for nothin’ 😀

[@KristenCainStyle]

Hi Karen! Thanks for the warm welcome! We're loving Utah so far. We left PA for CO in search of more sun a decade ago. Blue skies make me a better person. 🩵 I seem to be at Savers a lot... please say hello if you see me! ☺️

[@karenpiotrowski]

@@KristenCainStyle Oh, I definitely will!

[@denisecarter5117]

I read a book by Richard Foster about Christian disciplines in 2013. The one that stood out the most was simplifying. I started with a kitchen drawer and went through the rest of our 2,000 square foot parsonage decluttering everything. I stored it it all in a box car storage building in the back for the year it took me. Then I had the first garage sale. Then we moved into 1,000 square feet and I started again. In 2017 my father in-law died and we moved into the garage apt behind their house to be there for my 89 year old mother in-law. The apt is 320 square feet and we have stored Christmas, a coffee table, buffet, and small round table and two chairs in a storage building by the apt. We could not live without that storage building. We have been here 6 years and into our 7th year. My mother in-law is now 95 and slowing down but able to live in her home which was the whole plan. I continue to declutter things and thrift almost all my clothes. Really starting to itch for more room like a bigger apt but as long as she is able we will stay here. I liked what you said and need to work on some more 10’s in my life and continue to practice gratitude for what we have.

[@pennyditchfield9944]

Thank you Kristen that was beautiful to hear your story. Enjoy your new chapter in Utah!

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you so much!

[@tracytravis2]

I’m so happy for you and your family. It’s impressive and inspiring that you made this big change. I am sending you support and applause! (Tracy Travis)

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you so much, Tracy! I hope you are well. I miss seeing you around Boulder. Happy Holidays! 🥰

[@l.l.lekens6610]

Thank you for your very authentic story. I recognize a lot similarities with my own. We did not move to another city, but to another place, moving from a house where we lived for about 35 years, full of things that indeed did no longer felt like us. We sold like half of all the furniture, I only wanted the essentials to remain🙂, only things that I would use almost every day. We also met nice and friendly people who were giving are beloved things a new home. It was such a good experience and I am still glad that we made that move.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Hi Leen- Thank you for sharing your experience. It's comforting to know that others have been through similar times. We are so much happier without all the STUFF that was weighing us down. I will be glad to have my favorite things with me eventually. For now... it's nice to be traveling light!! 🩷

[@l.l.lekens6610]

@@KristenCainStyle 😘

[@margomarshall6754]

I wish you and your family well as you embark on this new stage in your lives.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you!!

[@amikrenzel5788]

We have been living in our RV since 2017 and moving to 5 different places, most recently Colorado's Front Range. Last Feb we found a cabin on the Colorado Western Slope and moved in mid April. We emptied a house in NM and rented it out. For the first time in 7 years we have our stuff in one place where we can access it all and are planning to get rid of a lot of stuff.

[@KristenCainStyle]

I love this!! Thank you so much for sharing. I'm excited for you as you settle and purge. Wishing you all the best!

[@ccolburn925]

This resonates with me! I am trying to decide whether to move to a new area or stay in the town I have lived for 25 years. I have tons of stuff to go through to rehome stuff I don't need/use. That is my winter project as I analyze whether to move towns/states or not. I will be doing this alone with 2 dogs and a horse! Thanks for your words and stories of encouragement! I hope you enjoy the fall in Utah!

[@KristenCainStyle]

Oh, I'm sending all the good vibes for your decision process and move! It's overwhelming at times and also exhilarating to purge and start fresh. Wishing you all the best! Keep me posted on what you decide. 💕

[@cynthiaolson959]

Thank you for this very personal video Kristen. You don’t owe it to us to do this but it makes me feel closer to you and to think about my own life and finding more 10’s. I’m going to read the book you recommended! You are a gem! Thank you!

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you!! I hope you enjoy the book! I'm rereading it now.

[@WAG24205]

Kristen, I’m still catching up on your videos and this one was so very special. Next year when our lease is up my husband and I will be in a similar situation of deciding whether to stay in the state we are in or move elsewhere. While it is scary to leave where we have put down roots, you have given me some inspiration to understand that relocating is really possible. And to purge “all” my belongings. And that would for sure be a great thing. Thank you for your honesty, sincerity and for sharing your story with us. You are so personable.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you! I wish you all the best as you prepare for your next adventure! Be open and know that the purge is SO freeing!!

[@m6740-z9w]

Your sharing your truth and thoughts and ideas make me think and inspire me to focus. May it be a beautiful journey for all of you.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you, Marsha. Your words mean so much to me. ❤️

[@juleemobley305]

You’re an inspiration! I’m in the Salt Lake area too. Hope you love it here!

[@KristenCainStyle]

Hi Julee - Thank you!! We really love Salt Lake City. I'm glad to be here!! 🩷

[@elizabethkoehler4745]

Kristen, I'm wishing you all the best in Utah! I happened to randomly come across this video which I find interesting. I couldn't agree with you more about purging items that no longer serve us. It sounds like you freed up so much space energetically, how great is that!! I went through a similar journey and it took me down roads I didn't expect. So happy for you guys! p.s. I loved "The Pyschology of Money" by Morgan Housel, it's another good one 😊

[@KristenCainStyle]

Hi Elizabeth! I hope you are well. Thank you so much!! I love that I popped up randomly in your feed. ☺️ We are really enjoying this unexpected detour. I haven't read that book... I'm going to check it out this week! Sending hugs! 🥰

[@heather1778]

Love this video. Thank you for sharing the personal side of your story. I think this is relatable to many. I hope you took video of your decluttering process - that would be very interesting! I also struggle with the scarcity mindset and how that clashes with my desire for a more simple space.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you for your kind words. Sadly, I didn't really capture the decluttering and move. I was in survival mode and didn't have the bandwidth to be creative. Wishing I'd had a team following me around for the process... that footage would be interesting to watch now that I'm on the other side. 🩷 I understand your struggle. I can say that it feels really good to have finally let go of most of the things I was saving for someday out of purely a lack mindset.

[@marilynrybak9154]

I don’t blame you and your family for wanting to get out of Colorado. Enjoy Utah!

[@lose999]

Wow. Thanks for this video. I'm not sure I've had many 10s in the past several years. I sometimes dream of moving near a body of water from hot, hot Texas to a more temperate climate. I'm a senior citizen with grandkids so moving seems impossible. Thanks for recommending the book. BTW, you look lovely in red. I noticed more color in your closet. ❤

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you for your kind words. I do tend to wear a bit more color in the spring and summer. :-) The 10s exercise hit me hard. I'm working on elevating the areas of my life that aren't anywhere near a 10. I hope that you are able to find time by the water... even if it's only temporary. 🩵

[@denisecarter5117]

I just commented on another video how much I like your hair longer. Now I need to tell you how darling your short hair is. Also red really looks great on you.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you so much!

[@susifrastein6886]

Very interesting. I mover to a very small apartment and enjoyed so much to only bring what matteres the most to me. So now I amin a mest surround-anlæg by stuff with a histore and new furniture that suite my singlelife. Good luck frem Copenhagen.

[@KristenCainStyle]

Thank you so much! I hope to visit Copenhagen one day soon!!

[@marywhitehouse7702]

You purged a burden. ❤

[@KristenCainStyle]

Perfectly stated. 🧡