THE DAINTY SQUID
  • blog
    • all the posts!
    • stroup mansion
    • some of my favorite posts
    • plants + gardening
    • beauty, fashion + hair
    • reviews
    • window shopping
    • explore everywhere
  • about me
  • contact
  • shop

globe collection 2018

Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II – first impressions

three favorite Cleveland cemeteries

found on the beach

Propagating Succulents 101

nine truths about having dyed hair

east cleveland abandoned factory

Stapelia grandiflora bloom!

10 things making me smile

7 tips for maintaining bright hair color

    celebrating six months in Cleveland

    by Kaylah Stroup August 14, 2014

    Today marks six months since I signed the paper work, and picked up the keys to my own apartment. Can I just say it’s been a damn fine six months. Perhaps the best six months of my life. Moving to the city was a big, scary change. A few weeks ago when I was talking to my mom about how much I loved Cleveland, she said something along the lines of “it was scary for all of us, but it really was the best thing for you.” And it was. I was unhappy for a long time before coming here. Something had to happen, I had to leap. It was a necessity. I left behind so much; a lot of possessions, and a lot of familiar things. I gave up a house that I helped buy. I moved somewhere where I didn’t really know anyone. Do you know what though? It was so worth it because I found things I had been missing: freedom, a sense of self, happiness.





    Since moving to Cleveland, life has been so much different. I’ve made awesome friends that I love dearly, discovered a love for a handful of new hobbies, and grown as person. I don’t even feel like the same Kaylah I was this time last year. It’s kind of funny actually, when I got my taxes done back in April I visited the same accountant that I used the year before, during our visit she mentioned multiple times how happy I seemed, how outgoing I was, and how I seemed like a new person. I was just tickled pink that someone I had only seen on a few brief instances could see such a huge change in me.

    This is almost kind of strange to post. It’s personal. Even though this is my “personal blog”, I try to stay away from most subjects that are too private. But I really do think it’s important to talk about this. It’s obviously a huge part of my life, and moving was definitely life changing for me.

    Anyway, here’s to continuing to grow as a person in my new city and anywhere else my life may take me!
    xoxo

    Save

    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditEmail
  • Abandoned Auditorium

    by Kaylah Stroup August 13, 2014

    On my birthday, Jeff and I went to one of the places we went on our first date. It’s kind of funny actually, I was SO incredibly shy he didn’t know whether or not I was having a good time. He swears I showed a total lack of emotion that day. I didn’t even pull …

    Read more
  • ruins + mushrooms

    by Kaylah Stroup August 9, 2014

    Not too long ago Jeff took me to the ruins of an old power plant that just so happen to be next to a beautiful waterfall. It just occurred to me while looking at the draft for this post that I didn’t even take one photo of the whole thing. Hah! Guess I was a …

    Read more
Newer Posts
Older Posts

About Me

About Me

Hello!

I'm Kaylah! Renovating a 150-year-old home in Northeast Ohio. Likely found in my garden.

Categories

  • all the posts!
  • animals + nature
  • beauty, fashion + hair
  • explore everywhere
    • abandoned
    • cemeteries
  • plants + gardening
  • reviews
    • books
  • some of my favorite posts
  • stroup mansion
  • window shopping

disclosure

click to drop down
The Dainty Squid is a for profit blog. and we participate in a number of affiliate programs meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you choose to make a purchase through one of those links. For more details click here

psssst! while you're here, check out my stained glass. Dainty Squid stained glass

copyright 2026 the dainty squid / kaylah stroup. please contact me about photo usage.


Back To Top
THE DAINTY SQUID
  • blog
    • all the posts!
    • stroup mansion
    • some of my favorite posts
    • plants + gardening
    • beauty, fashion + hair
    • reviews
    • window shopping
    • explore everywhere
  • about me
  • contact
  • shop