Rooted in Change: Lessons from My Move from California to Kentucky
There’s a special kind of peace that comes when you finally plant yourself in the right soil.
When I left the Southern California coast and traded city life for six acres of quiet land in rural Kentucky, I had no idea how deeply that move would transform me. What began as a desire for more space and simplicity turned into a spiritual journey of learning to trust the seasons - both on the land and within myself.
Trust me… leaving the beach life hasn’t been easy at times. There’s still a part of me that misses the salty air, the hum of the waves, and the warmth of the sun dipping into the Pacific. But I’ve come to see that peace doesn’t only exist by the ocean. It can live in a quiet Kentucky field, where the only sound is the wind moving through the trees, and horses trotting by. I do miss the beach, but I’ve fallen in love with this stillness. The kind that lets you hear your own heartbeat again.
At first, it was hard to slow down. I was used to fast everything - traffic, deadlines, grocery stores on every corner. But here, time moved differently. The air felt heavier, the nights were quieter, and the stars actually showed up. Nature had a rhythm I’d forgotten how to follow.
The first year on the homestead (2020) taught me more about patience and surrender than any self-help book ever could. Seeds don’t rush to sprout. Goats don’t follow your schedule. Gardens thrive only when you learn to work with the weather, not against it.
That was the year I learned the beauty of letting go.
In California, I’d been surrounded by convenience. In Kentucky, I was surrounded by creation. Every season reminded me that life is cyclical - that there’s a time for expansion and a time for rest, a time to grow and a time to root.
And somewhere between tending chickens, making herbal tea from my own garden, and hanging laundry in the sun, I found myself again.
I realized that creating a homestead life isn’t about the size of your property, but the state of your heart. You can live “rooted” no matter where you are. In an apartment, a townhouse, or a few acres of land... Aligning your rhythm with nature, your values, and your peace.
If you’ve been feeling the pull to slow down, simplify, or reconnect with what really matters, I’ve created something special for you.
You can download “The Magnolia Hill Mindset: 10 Simple Ways to Create a Homestead Heart Wherever You Live.” It’s a free printable guide you can use as a reflection tool or a journaling workbook - perfect to print or work from your iPad for some grounded brainstorming as we move into the next season.
Inside, you’ll find gentle prompts, mindset shifts, and simple ways to begin living more intentionally, right where you are.
Because being rooted doesn’t always mean staying still. It means growing deeper in who you’re becoming.
I’d love to hear what this season of change looks like for you.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram Magnolia Hill Farm and reach out to let me know you came from here. I always enjoy connecting with kindred spirits walking the same path.
XOXO ~ Renee