Two Weeks In Florida: What It Really Feels Like to Start Over
- Nadine Machkovech
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
It’s been two weeks since we arrived in Florida.
Two weeks since we walked into a house with no furniture, no routines, and no idea what this new chapter would actually feel like.
And honestly? It’s been kind of amazing.
Not perfect.
Not without its mess.
But amazing in all the right ways.
I Thought Starting Over Would Feel Harder
I thought I’d be more overwhelmed.
I thought I’d be counting the days until we felt settled.
But instead, I’ve been paying attention in a way I haven’t in years.
Every little moment feels more alive.
The first walk through our neighborhood.
The first time Aidyn asked to go back outside not even five minutes after we got home.
The first grocery trip with no list, just a vibe.
The first deep breath on the back patio while the sun set behind our new backyard.
We’ve been here two weeks, and already I feel like I’m living life in it, not watching it pass from the edge of exhaustion.
Unpacking, Slowly
We’re still unpacking.
Physically, yes — but also emotionally.
There’s something tender about opening boxes that hold the life you used to live, just as you’re stepping into the life you asked for.
Every photo frame.
Every little sock.
Every memory that used to sit on a shelf back in Wisconsin is now finding a new place here.
And there’s peace in doing it slowly.
Not rushing to fill every wall.
Not needing everything to be “done” right away.
We’ve already built more meaningful routines in these two weeks than we had in months before the move — simply by being present, together, and open to what this chapter has to offer.
What Really Matters
Aidyn is thriving.
He’s outside every five minutes.
He’s exploring every inch of this house like it was designed just for him.
His laughter echoes off the walls that still feel new — and honestly, that’s all the confirmation I’ve needed.
We didn’t move here for things.
We moved for moments.
And we’ve had so many already.
It’s in the late-night kitchen talks with Anthony,
the barefoot mornings,
the way we’re laughing more,
sleeping better,
living softer.
And Then, the Mess
Of course, there’s been chaos.
Our moving truck was a disaster — broken items, lost boxes, and more stress than I’d like to admit.
But the funny thing is: we didn’t spiral.
We didn’t let it ruin the moment.
We just looked around at what we do have:
Each other.
A new space.
A son who’s begging to go outside because the world suddenly feels bigger and brighter.
And that perspective?
That presence?
That’s the part that tells me we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.
What’s Coming Next
We’re only just beginning.
There’s so much still to discover, so much still to build.
But after two weeks of simply being here, I feel ready to share what’s next.
Next week, I’ll finally be announcing the title of the book I wrote through all of this.
The one that’s been quietly shaping itself alongside the boxes, the grief, the healing, and the joy.
Thank you for being here, reading this, and walking this journey with me.
Here’s to rooting deeper into a life that’s more honest, more open, and finally — ours.
Much love, Nadine
🎥 Watch Episode 2 of the vlog here:
📩 Want early updates + my book title announcement?
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