In the past week, I’ve had plenty of new-to-me experiences trying to make myself a part of the Idaho community. Relocating to a new state and starting completely over – new job, new friends, new atmosphere – is pretty dang incredible, but it also requires work. It’s 2016, people everywhere are consumed in their own cyberworld, and I promise it is NOT like in the movies when being the “new girl” results in instant invitations and friends. You gotta put yourself out there, find situations where people with similar interests will be, and introduce yourself…..opportunities aren’t just going to fall in your lap!

After settling in for the first few days, I was beyond ready to put that NASM personal training certification to use in an athletic club because A.) I want to help motivate people to reach their health goals and B.) A gym is a PERFECT atmosphere to meet lots of new people around my age with similar interests. One gym in particular really attracted me, so I brought my resume and asked for an interview. The next day, I was hired! YAY for the opportunity to work in Boise in a field that I’m so incredibly passionate about. It’s only a part-time position so that I can keep pursuing a creative/marketing career, but trust me – being in a new town can feel very lonely so having these few “social” hours a day is an amazing way to start becoming part of the community here :)

Aside from employment, I’ve also begun learning the local street names and can officially get to the mall without relying on Siri ;) Even though I’m trying to keep coffee splurges to a minimum, I’m LOVING the abundance of local coffee shops here. They each have their own unique vibes, and I swear that Idahoans are the most positive and friendly people I’ve ever been around. Everyone I’ve met has been so sweet and welcoming and that makes this move so worth it. (Coming from Southern California, I’m used to cashiers acting like you’re “inconveniencing” them, so YES, polite employees are a real treat now!)

Hustle & Heart Will Set You Apart. 

I also joined a local weekly running club. A running store just outside of Boise hosts a once-a-week fun run around a local park and I’m excited to have running buddies again (DONE with that solo treadmill grind) and find new trails and sights to explore. Unbelievably enough, the owner of this Idaho running shoe store recognized me as soon as I walked in. He said “You ran track at NAU in Flagstaff!” Small world, right?!? Got me feelin’ all famous… ;) Turns out we had tons of mutual friends in Flagstaff, AZ and he was able to share some local running hotspots and other post-college runners I might be able to work out with. I left even more inspired to keep running and more grateful for all of the kind people I’m surrounded by here in Idaho!

Buuuuut we’re headed into my second weekend here and I don’t know anyone well enough to have fun plans with yet. See, told you it’s not all glamorous. I decided to use this extra solo time to get back in the gym and work on my upper body strength. If I don’t have friends, at least I can have abs ;) (kidding….kind of.)

And as usual, I plan on getting as much SUNSHINE as I can this Memorial Day weekend. There’s a farmers market, the river, the greenbelt, the pool, new trails, and parks to explore. Maybe I’ll find a new cafe or smoothie shop. Or try out a new recipe of my own. Having “too many” fun options for the weekend is a pretty great problem to have. :)

XO Kenz.