Reinvention: Amanda | Jane Shauck Photography | Connecticut Commercial Photographer

Reinvention: Amanda

I have three very, very good photography girlfriends who started getting together to talk shop a few years ago.Â Breakfast once a month quickly became happy hour.Â Last year though, one of us left to move to Vermont…which we knew was going to happen eventually since Amanda’s been talking about for years!Â When I realized how different her lifestyle is now, I thought she’d be a great Reinvention subject…my project on women who reinvent themselves mid-life.Â I asked Amanda a few questions that I’ll let her answer:

–Why Vermont?

Although I was born in Vermont I’ve never lived here full time. For at least the last ten years I’ve known that I wanted to settle in Vermont to raise my family. I love so many things about the state – the feeling and energy of the people who choose to live here, the amazing natural beauty, the wide open spaces, and the fact that so much of my family is here. All of these things were pulling me to move back here and throughout the last few years I’ve kept that desire and intention at the forefront of my mind.

–How life is different now?

Life just feels much more settled. When I lived elsewhere I was always looking ahead to the next thing knowing that Vermont was on the horizon. Now that I’m here I just have this inner peace and this feeling that things are right and as they should be. We bought our first house when we moved and I also think that owning instead of renting has given me a feeling of permanence and roots that I haven’t had in a long time – it feels great.

–Was it was a risk for you and/or did you have any fears and how did you overcame them?

The puzzle for us was always my Husband’s job as the work opportunities up here aren’t quite as diverse and plentiful as in Connecticut.Â I wouldn’t take no for an answer and just kept believing it would work out, and eventually when he approached his boss about moving he was offered the opportunity to work from home – perfect! It’s been a bit of a transition for my business to still try and work with clients in Connecticut but it’s worth the extra logistics to be up here without a doubt.

Well we miss you a lot but looking forward to more weekends away together!Â You can check out Amanda’s business, Orchard Cove Photography, here.