Saying Goodbye

Last May, feeling tired and depleted, I moved out of my wicked cute Portland, OR apartment and put most things in storage. Then my best girly pop 🐈‍⬛ and I drove back across the country, 3000 miles dodging tornados and summer storms.

I was only supposed to be back on the east coast for a few months. Those were my plans, but life got weird and I got stuck and things I tried to pursue weren’t really working so I opted to use the time to travel a bunch. In December, I had to say goodbye to my best girly pop after she was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer and declined really fast. Then I entered a season I’m now formally calling ‘my dark days’.

It’s kind of hard to explain how hard those few months were for me, writing from a future perspective all I can say is that my anxiety hadn’t ever been that bad and depression felt like an old foe I couldn’t shake. For better and worse, I was stuck with those dark days.

Yet those dark days have catapulted me into a new season of hope and possibilities.

One of the biggest challenges I was facing was knowing 1). When to get my things out of storage and 2). What to do with those things once I did.

It became a Tetris game of stepping stones — which comes first, finding a new place or closing out my old chapter? What if I need the old chapter things for my new place? What is the expense of it all? Is it better to just leave it for now? On. and. On. my brain spun in circles.

Eventually thanks to fate and a cheap flight deal, I booked my ticket back to the second place I call home. A place that feels more home to me than the home I have now, even if I no longer want to call that place my home.

After much overthinking I decided it was more cost effective to sell/donate most of my things and start over, rather than shipping my belongings back across the states. It was tiresome work. Every day I’d lug a handful of packed up boxes out of my friends garage — where we had moved my belongings to, open them up and move them into new boxes: keep, sell, donate.

We held a yard sale where for two days I watched people pick through my things and offer me insultingly low prices for art pieces I tossed in, while others gushed that it was the most aesthetic and organized yard sale they’d ever seen. I patted my neuroses on the back for the latter and joked that it felt like in the Christmas Carol when Scrooge dies and they start plucking through his things and singing ‘take his things for he won’t need them where he’s going’ on the former.

It felt like an up and down ride, but I didn’t feel emotional about it, it felt like a release.

It felt like finally, these pieces I left behind will find a new home and purpose.

While I was home I found myself reflecting on how grateful I am for the friendships I developed while I lived here. One of the hardest parts of stepping away from Portland was knowing how supported I felt here, in ways that I never experienced before. And this trip reiterated how beautiful that is.

Staying with one of my best friends, she was spoiling me with amazing meals and drinks every day, while also helping with a lot of the heavy lifting (literally - and figuratively). Another bestie drove me to visit my favorite record store where the shop owner kindly gifted me some boxes to ship my records back in. Another friend came over to sit with me while I sorted through boxes. I met up with my old coworkers turned friends where we had cocktails and yummy food. I saw my hairdresser and she gave me a much needed hair revival. Another friend picked me up and we visited a local restaurant I had been wanting to try.

I couldn’t help but smile knowing that I had this small community of people and how I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them. I gifted and they bought some of my things from me and just like that I’m leaving pieces of myself behind — as if I’m just away instead of gone. It’s a weird but beautiful feeling and I couldn’t feel happier to start all over again in the future.

Where I Ate & more in Portland, OR

It’s been a little bit since I recapped some favorite places and I thought I’d compile a new fun short list for you in case you are wondering what we ate / drank when I wasn’t being spoiled by my friend.

Güero - Immediately upon getting off the plane, this is where we headed. Chips, guac and torta bowls. It’s one of my favorite Portland places!

Vinyl Resting Place - I’ve shouted out Steven’s shop before, but seriously — you need to visit! He surprised me with a Taylor Swift RSD special! And I am happy to report thanks to the boxes my vinyl records arrived safely and securely (and only a day after my priority mail boxes that got majorly beat up).

The Turning Peel - Sourdough pizza. As a GF girly, authentic sourdough is the ultimate blessing. When sourdough is fermented for 3 days it loses most of the gluten protein making it safe for most people who have intolerances to enjoy. It was some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. Don’t sleep on the whipped ricotta crust dips or the sweet patio nook vibes.

Cornet Custard - Across the street from A Turning Peel. I instantly love any Portland shop that has their own record player, but their flavors delivered as much as their vibes. I got a scoop each of Green Tea Plum and Honey Mint — wicked good! They change out most their flavors every month or so they said!

Pizzicato Pizza - Listen, if you’re from/around Portland you’re probably like why on earth is she recommending this local chain restaurant? And it’s because not only did they have an incredible GF crust, but the pizza was deliciousssss. Give the Puttanesca a try! You will thank me! (It was family movie night and a treat after a long day of yard sale selling so I didn’t get a pic of this one, sorry!)

Hey Love - I hadn’t been here in a while, but I LOVE their cocktail choices and their food is legit if albeit a small menu.

Maruti - Hands down one of my favorite restaurants ever. Vegan/Vegitarian Indian Food. And as per my luck goes, we snagged the coveted corner window spot. Yes, please!

Kate’s Ice Cream - An entirely plant based and gluten free ice cream place in Portland. I’ve had Kate’s on my list for farrrrr too long. I’m so glad I was finally able to partake! I got the salted caramel toffee in a GF waffle cone and it was superb. They’ve literally won awards for their ice cream, so make sure to stop by!

Hold the Wheat - A GF Portland Bakery! I’d never been here before but the vibes were seriously so cute and I hope they stay open forever! We tried a few different things and I loved them all!

June - this is a new vegan spot that opened in Beaverton and the vibes are aesthetic AF! My drink was excellent and I loved the Marsala Fries. They came with a tandoori beet ketchup and cilantro mint aioli dipping sauce. 10/10 for the dipping sauces.

Allie @ Wilde Gild Collective - Allie is simply the best best best. It’s always a joy to catch up with her and she excels in lived in hair styles! I love that I can see her a few times a year and my hair will look great in between!

what comes next?

That’s a wrap! I feel so deeply loved and cared for and leaving this city with a much better taste in my mouth than I did last May. I’m grateful to have a place that will always feel like home even when I’ve been away for a year - and for the friends who eagerly welcomed me back. I can’t wait to come back and have more friend time in the future!

So what now?

Well, my next chapter will find me hopping on a plane in 5 weeks to spend a few months in the South of France for the summer. The way it came together was pretty magical and I wrote about it in my email newsletter which I also shared here.

Long story short: girl was desperately trying to find a place to land in MA and it wasn’t working out, so she booked a flight instead. Don’t worry, as of right now I have a return ticket. 🤭

blogSheri HootonMay 21, 2025Comment