Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Lynn.
Hi Ellie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
At 48 years old, I found myself asking a question that had been quietly growing in my heart for years: “Is this it? Is this all there is for me?”
My life wasn’t falling apart. In many ways, it looked perfectly normal from the outside. But deep down, I felt like I was merely existing rather than truly living. I was single, working a job that no longer fulfilled me, and living in a place that hadn’t quite felt like home. More than anything, I felt stuck.
For nearly 30 years, I had dreamed of living a slower, simpler life in the countryside. It was the kind of dream many people have but often push aside while waiting for the right circumstances, the right timing, or the right person to come along.
Then one day, I realized something: if I kept waiting, I might spend the rest of my life doing exactly that—waiting.
So, just one month after a short visit to Tennessee for the first time, with a 5×8 trailer that could only fit a third of what I owned and a packed car, I headed to Tennessee with my two Papillon dogs leaving behind my family, friends, and all that was familiar to me. It would have been normal to be scared, but to my surprise, I didn’t even feel nervous, just excited for what my future held.
Five years later, I am so grateful that I found the courage to take that leap of faith. Today, I share my journey through my YouTube channel, Rollin with Ellie (@RollinwithEllie), where I invite others to slow down and enjoy the simple things—country backroads, local shops, baking, homemade creations, horses, beautiful scenery, and the everyday moments that make life meaningful.
If there is one thing I hope others will be encouraged by in my story, it is that even seasons of dissatisfaction can serve a purpose. I’ve learned that life’s disappointments can take us in one of two directions: they can fuel anger and regret, or they can ignite the determination to build a life that feels more aligned with who we are.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road, but it has absolutely been worth it. One of my first challenges came the day I arrived in Tennessee. The rental I had arranged before moving wasn’t what I had expected, and I suddenly found myself needing a new place to stay. For a brief moment, I wondered if I would have to turn around and go back to Illinois.
Instead, the same couple I had met during my short visit opened their home to me and my two dogs for nearly two months while I figured out my next steps. Their kindness was such a blessing, and through them I was introduced to a church family that welcomed me with open arms.
Financially, there were challenges as well. After moving to Tennessee in early 2021, I struggled to find my little dream house in the country and found myself repeatedly being outbid on homes. At one point, I worked two jobs, seven days a week, to make ends meet. While those seasons weren’t easy, I can now look back and see how they strengthened my faith, taught me perseverance, and gave me plenty of opportunities to practice patience.
Today, I am truly grateful that despite the doubt, frustration, and unexpected setbacks along the way, I never lost the determination to keep moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Creatively, I am the creator behind a YouTube channel that focuses on slow living in rural Tennessee. Through my videos, I share baking, homemade items, visits to local businesses, countryside drives, and the simple moments that make everyday life meaningful.
What I enjoy most is storytelling. While my videos may feature a loaf of sourdough bread, a country backroad, a cozy shop, or a cup of tea on the porch, the deeper story is about creating a life that is more intentional and aligned with what matters most. My goal is to remind people that joy can often be found in the simple things and that a slower, more meaningful life is possible no matter where you live.
While moving to Tennessee was part of my personal journey, my channel is not about encouraging others to move here. It is simply my story and my version of taking a leap of faith. For someone else, that might mean embracing the countryside in their own state, spending more time with family, pursuing a long-forgotten dream, or simply slowing down enough to appreciate the beauty already around them.
What I am so grateful to God for is having the courage to start over at 48 years old and then sharing that journey openly with others. It has been incredibly rewarding to connect with viewers from around the world who are inspired by slow living, pursuing their dreams, and finding contentment in everyday life.
What viewers see is my real life—the successes, the challenges, the beautiful moments, and everything in between. My channel isn’t about perfection; it’s about sharing an honest look at life in the Tennessee countryside and encouraging others to pursue the life they’ve been dreaming about.
One thing I’m especially excited about for the future is finding my little house in the country, and I look forward to taking viewers along on that journey. From decorating and making a house feel like home to rebuilding and improving spaces over time, I hope to share both the process and the experience.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve always been a very social person and genuinely enjoy meeting new people. Rather than focusing on networking, I’ve found that simply being myself, showing an interest in others, and sharing what I’m passionate about has naturally led to meaningful relationships and opportunities.
For example, whenever I feature a local shop on my YouTube channel, it’s because I genuinely enjoy the business and want to share it with others. I love highlighting local businesses and the people behind them. Any connections or opportunities that come from that are simply a byproduct of supporting something I already believe in.
Whether it’s through my community, church, YouTube channel, or everyday life, I’ve learned that authentic connections are often more valuable than traditional networking. My advice would be to be genuine, be approachable, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. You never know where a simple conversation might lead.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rollinwithellie_?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ShopElliesCompany?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RollinwithEllie
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@rollinwithellie?_t=ZT-8zTvS2Vx6VR&_r=1
