The Blog

My name is Kira Caldwell. I am a California girl through and through, but well… I now live in South Carolina. Growing up, I can assure you that I never once thought about what was going on across the country. I was content, day-dreaming of becoming a pro-surfer and traveling to all the best surf spots… meanwhile so was my future husband from the landlocked city of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 

 

When I first met my husband Carter, I was convinced he was from Australia. His thick accent, his Vissla tee shirt, and let me tell you – he surfed these California waves way too good to be “from South Carolina”. But, here I am almost two years into living in his hometown and it’s true… his whole family is in fact here and his accent, well … it’s Southern… and as for his surfing… that is still a mystery… 

 

Together we have a lot of love for adventure and each other. I have always enjoyed a huge life pivot, so when we were deciding to move here, it made me excited. We came towards the end of fall; with all the beautiful trees' leaves changing and all the family holidays around the corner. This kept me going, but quickly faded (as did my sun-kissed tan) into a long, cold winter with no waves.  I quickly fell into what I like to call a ‘mini depression’ .

 

I was with the love of my life, but life did not look how I ever envisioned it. I wanted my beach days, sunburns, coastal runs, mini surf sessions after work, and to watch my nephews grow up. “If I just think about Cali this much, then I will not miss out on any of it and will be the same person I was before I left.” I did not want to change, to “become a southerner”, I resisted and the more I resisted, the more bitter, discontent, and fake I felt. This makes it hard for someone moving into a new area to make friends, find a good routine, and feel content… but when all I was telling myself was I want to be there and not here… well... I began to live very passively. 

 

I have filled endless journals with my thoughts. – Writing has always helped me make sense of my emotions and connect the dots to what exactly is going on around me. In my writing, I have seen my thoughts and attidude shift towards South Carolina.  I do not want to continue to live a passive life and I imagine you do not either. As I have known, this place will forever be a place in our lives because we have family and people we love here. So right now, we are choosing to milk SC for everything it is worth: hikes, family, home cooked meals, seasons, friendship, growing our garden, camping, three-hour mob missions to surf hurricane swell, and everything in between. We want to look back and know we gave it our all. 

 

We are watering the ground where we stand – trying to be present to our everyday and maximize every opportunity in front of us. Keeping our grass green means not looking at what could be, but what is right in front of us… We are seeking to be content but not complacent, which is a very fine line.  

 

I want this blog to be a space where you can feel inspired to do what it is you want, no matter where you are at. To start living your dreams out and noticing just how green the grass is beneath your feet. But personally I hope it builds my writing skills, my communication skills, all the while teaching me to keep stepping out in faith and to stay focused on what matters most. 

 

So, as we drive into this new season of fall, join me in soaking it up: Bake an apple pie, go to a pumpkin patch, run a race, spend time with friends and family, take lots of photos, start that business you have been thinking about, just go for it all. Let’s start giving this life the time and energy it needs to thrive. 

 

xo, me