a boot farewell

I've put this for way too long. My aunt said to me recently, "When are you going to announce that the blog is over? We're all sick of looking at the last post, the watermelon smoothies, you know!"

It's because deep down I don't want to admit it's over, but as you know, all good things must come to an end eventually. You can't force creativity or inspiration, and unfortunately this little space of mine on the internet was getting to feel just that way - forced. The reason for starting the blog in the first place was to document my adventures in Italy (in fact the original title was "adventures in the boot") but now I feel as if I've said all I needed to say, told you everything you needed to know about Barletta, about me and Manu, about the ladies on their balconies, about the markets, about Italian boys in speedos.

I remember writing the first blog post six years ago. I was sitting in Manu's family apartment and feeling like I couldn't contain myself from the excitement. Everything was so new! So incredibly Italian and equal parts hilarious and mind-opening. No one was reading except my mom probably, and I would wake up every morning dying to write about what had happened the previous day. (Little did I know that six years later we'd be married and that apartment would have become our own!)

Things changed, as they are wont to do, and I started branching out to other topics. I even dabbled as a fashion blogger for a minute (which still boggles my mind seeing as how I'm literally the last person on this earth who cares about being fashionable - my friends can attest.) Then I just wrote what I felt, shared stories and little tidbits of life. I went through another metamorphosis (are we noticing a pattern here? I can't keep still mentally...) and I became a food blogger. Which I loved. But even that got old after a while.

Have I become jaded to life in Italy? To blogging? I don't think so, but I definitely feel a shift happening. Those who blog can tell you that it takes time and dedication and you need to really be in love with what you're doing for it to be sustainable.

So, what now? Well, I've thought about it long and hard and I've decided to start a new blog. (!!!)

You might have noticed that practically all of the recipes on here are healthy ones, and it didn't really occur to me at the time, but several Italian friends asked me for the recipes in Italian, or to translate the posts. Then when I started teaching Zumba four years ago, Italian friends asked me continuously for exercise advice and healthy food options. This hit me like a ton of bricks one day. Yes! An Italian blog geared towards health and fitness! The dialogue was already there and I know it's a sector that's really growing in Italy right now. It could also help stimulate growth in my fitness classes as well as help me branch out to others in the health community in Barletta. Because really, blogging all about community and conversation.

I recently began a new endeavor (as I always do) and I'm getting my personal trainer certification as well as group fitness and any others I can fit in this summer, and I'll be teaching more classes at the gym starting in September. This blog would really be a perfect fit to bring all of that together along with my love for sharing healthy recipes.

I have truly, truly, truly loved the relationships that writing the boot has brought about. I made friends that I will keep in touch with for life and even started seeing life in a different way thanks to it. It's very sad for me to say goodbye, but it's time. I will, of course, still keep you updated via Instagram and the boot will always be here for when you want to come back and read some old posts (some are really hilarious to re-visit, I have to admit) or save some recipes.

Goodbye blog friends, and THANK YOU for your support over these past six years. You have no idea how great it's been to have you here. Ciao for now before I start bawling!

P.S. If you understand Italian and are interested in the new blog I'll make sure to let you know when it's ready to launch!