Life with Kelso

It’s hard to believe the Fourth of July was already two weekends ago and that we’re already halfway through 2026! The first six months of the year have been a bit of a whirlwind, so I figured it was time for a little life update.

I kicked off January in the best way possible—at home, in bed, and asleep before midnight. I know, I know… not exactly the wildest New Year’s Eve, but I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the year, and honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

One of the biggest changes at the beginning of the year was finally leaving a toxic job. I was so excited for a fresh start, but unfortunately, the new position wasn’t everything it had been made out to be. I basically traded one toxic environment for another.

Thankfully, that job was only temporary. Looking back, I like to think of it as an interim stepping stone that eventually led me to where I am now. I’ll save the full story for another post because I have a lot to say about job searching, interviews, and navigating toxic or unfavorable work environments.

At the end of January, I checked another destination off my bucket list and went to Las Vegas for the first time! We celebrated my sister-in-law’s bachelorette party, and it was such an unforgettable trip. Vegas definitely lived up to the hype, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to experience it.

February through May were… well, survival mode.

I spent those four months working at my interim job while constantly searching for something better. Every spare moment seemed to be spent updating my resume, filling out applications, preparing for interviews, and hoping that one opportunity would finally work out. After countless applications, rejections, and interviews that went nowhere, I started to lose hope. I wondered if I was ever going to find a position that felt like the right fit.

Then, almost out of nowhere, everything changed.

One interview turned into another… and another… until I finally heard back from a position I felt incredibly hopeful about. It was the opportunity I had been waiting for, and it reminded me that sometimes the best things really do come after the hardest seasons.

The first half of 2026 has definitely had its highs and lows, but every challenge has helped shape where I am today. I’m excited to share more about the rest of the year, including my new job, some exciting travel plans, and everything else that’s happened along the way.

Talk soon!