James Van Der Beek explains 'drastic changes' that led to family's move to Texas

James Van Der Beek has opened up about the “drastic changes” that prompted him and his family to move to Texas from California.

This week, the Dawson’s Creek actor shared an emotional Instagram post in which he revealed the challenges he and his wife Kimberly and their five children: Gwendolyn, two, Emilia, four, Annabel Leah, six, Joshua, eight, and Olivia, nine, have faced over the last year, including two late-term pregnancy losses.

“And… we’ve landed. In the last 10 months, we’ve had two late-term pregnancy losses, each of which put @vanderkimberly in the hospital, we spent Christmas break thinking she had a tumour (the doctor was wrong, thank god), I was prematurely booted off a reality dancing show I was favoured to win in front of the whole world, and my mom died,” the 43-year-old wrote. “And a shut-down.

“All of that led to some drastic changes in our lives, and dreams, and priorities... and landed us here. Overflowing with profound gratitude today.”

The actor shared the caption alongside photos of his family exploring the outdoors around their new home in Austin, Texas.

Van Der Beek first announced he and his family would be leaving California and moving to Texas in September, when he shared photos of their empty house in Beverly Hills.

“Sometimes a fuller life begins with an empty house. Leaving Los Angeles incredibly grateful for all the friends and memories we’ve made here. Onto the next big adventure!” the father-of-five wrote at the time.

Prior to their arrival in Texas, the family took a 10-day road trip, with Van Der Beek updating his followers along the way.

At one point along the journey, which included adopting two new puppies, Van Der Beek said he realised that “freedom is daring to love with all of your heart.”

“When I was a kid, I used to think freedom would be finally having the things I’d dreamed of having. It wasn’t. Then I thought freedom would be having no attachment to anything. It wasn’t. Now, in the midst of a move to a new state 1500 miles from any place I’ve ever lived... I’m starting to feel like freedom is daring to love with all of your heart... and having the courage to put what you love first. I’m working on it,” he captioned a video of himself driving.

The Varsity Blues star’s latest post has been met with an outpouring of support from his followers, who have wished him and his family well on their journey.

“It’s amazing to witness how human and honest you are. May you find peace and comfort in the months to come,” one person commented.

Another said: “This is amazing, good for you guys for realising you needed a change after such a hard year. Very inspiring!”