6 months in Canada

I've been meaning to write this post for over a month, so I guess it actually is 7 months now, but it doesn't sound as good 🤷🏽‍♀️

Anyway, it's already been half a year since I got back to Canada (how craaazy)

And today my friend told me that this year felt like 2 years: the one she had in Spain and the one she had in Vancouver. I felt that.

Not only 2 years, but sort of 2 different lives. 2 different people almost.

But I'm loving the version of myself I'm becoming.

The right place, at the right time

I get asked a lot why I love Vancouver so much. And honestly, I don't really know how to reply without getting into a very deep, emotional conversation.

Yes, Vancouver is freaking beautiful, the surrounding nature is incredible, the high skyscraper buildings are impressive, and the townhouses are the cutest. You get to see raccoons in your street, freaking hummingbirds in your garden, bears in the mountains, white-headed eagles during hikes, seals swimming at sunset...

I could say all of that. But that is not why I love this city so much.

I always felt connected to this city. It was here when I felt truly myself for the first time, and this is why I've always wanted to come back.

And last year when I found out about the possibility of repeating the Working Holiday visa, I was feeling reeeeaaaaally lost. So it had to be a sign.

And, while this second Canadian adventure had quite a rough start, 6 months later, I feel like I am in a really good place in life.

Feeling aligned

Since I was in a bit of a dark place and feeling so lost last year, I had to do a lot of self-work to figure out what was going on that didn't feel right for me and find myself again.

So there was a lot of journaling and many conversations around the idea of "feeling aligned".

What are the things that drain me? What are the ones that energize me and bring me joy? How do I build a life around them while having the financial stability to pay for rent and try to save some money?

I think, though, that trying to reshape your life is easier when you move to a new place. Because anything is possible. It's like a life blank canvas. Although I get why it can seem scary.

Getting to that path of alignment wasn't as smooth and easy as I expected. Probably my expectations just weren't really aligned with the reality of this place and this time.

But I got there eventually 💪

I re-connected with photography, nature, with movement; I built a space that I feel truly reflects me and I love in my bedroom; my parents came to visit me in this city that is such an important part of my life, and slowly new opportunities arose.

And now I have a job that I enjoy and that I think I'm good at, for a company that I'm excited about (check it out if you don't know it Arc'teryx 💛), in the industry I've always wanted to get in. Even better.

It's not only the fashion industry but also the outdoors ✨

I'm re-connecting with sewing, and with the mountains (I'm gonna try skiing for the first time in my life this winter ✨), I'm also working every now and then taking videos and photos for another brand (and friend) that I love, I have beautiful people around, I'm getting back into running, I feel more creative... (I just really miss some pole dancing 🥲)

So, life's pretty sweet!

I don't think life will ever feel perfect (that would mean you ran out of dreams or ambitions I guess) but it feels very much on the right track now. Very aligned.

With my values, with myself, and with the person I'd like to become in the future.

It's funny how at the beginning of this adventure, it almost felt like the universe was pulling me away from this path. Like it really wasn't meant to be.

But even if after the first month in Canada life didn't feel completely on track yet, I ended that post with an intentional note of hope. And now, 6 months later, I can say that being intentional is working out 😊

So my (unsolicited) advice to you is: be intentional.

Our energy is limited, so try to truly be intentional in what you spend it in. Focus on those things that make you grow, that you love, that make you feel energized, and aligned. These are activities you do, people you spend time with, food you eat, hobbies you practice, the perspective with which you look at things...

Or maybe after thinking about this, you realize your life already feels aligned with you! So you could maybe take this as an opportunity to practice gratitude for all of it 💛

Anyway, if you got here, thank you 💛 I hope reading this made you at least think a little bit about the path you are on in your life. I'm here for a chat (or long voice notes 😅) anytime if you want!