I am now officially a New Yorker. I have moved in, scoped out the neighborhood and bought groceries to stock my kitchen in an apartment that’s mine. Looking back at the last two weeks, I realize all of the friendship and fan support that’s gotten me to this point, and I am grateful and amazed at the love and generosity of them all.

When I last left off, I was filling you in on my life with a story about “letting it go.” That was weeks ago while I was still living in Colorado and boy, did I let stuff go.

I transitioned from a spacious, three bedroom townhouse to a small apartment in NYC. I hosted give away parties where I filled my kitchen table with small things I knew I couldn’t take. Friends came to see if they could take any goodies. I told them to take whatever they saw and not ask me any questions, as then I would want it back. Then I gave away the kitchen table!

It was nice to see my friends take mementos or find something they needed and were going to buy anyway. They now have a small piece to remember me by. I gave away planters with blueberry bushes and others with my well loved and nurtured plants and flowers. I also gave away furniture. I was amazed at how much I had accumulated in less than three years and how little I needed to start my new adventure in New York. Yes, I miss some of my stuff but in some ways, I’m liberated.

My biggest packing questions were what did I really need and what made me so happy I had to take it with me no matter what? Letting go was hard with some things but it was much harder to part with the precious friends I’ve made in these short, three years. They are my real treasures. As I sit here now, I can look back and realize I’ve already forgotten the things I had trouble parting with. It really wasn’t that important then, huh? The friends I stay in touch with, so I don’t feel like I’ve left them, and I know I can call or visit any time.

So now I’m starting a new chapter in New York, resurrecting old friendships I’ve made over the last 38 years. I’m amazed at how easy it is to reconnect. It’s like no time has passed at all. I’m also finding new ventures are crossing my path with new possibilities for me to express myself.

Instead of walking the runways next week, I will be attending NY Fashion Week as a journalist, but it’s all good. Onward and upward my friends. I hope my sharing some of these things helps you let go of your “stuff” and keep what makes you happy. Those things you just can’t live without.