Hey, Let’s Move Out East
It’s taken me longer than I’d like to admit to learn to just roll with the punches. In all honesty, I’m still learning.
I’ve always had a plan; a path. So, when life threw us a curveball (or 20), it was probably out of character to suggest moving to another province without any real plan. Was it easy? Hell no. Was it worth it?
I’m really hoping so.
PROS AND CONS
It’s tough out there. We were living pay-check to pay-check while watching our debt grow like the majority of people. Could we have eventually have dug ourselves out of it if we had stayed? Sure. But we decided we wanted to get out of it more quickly while also being able to maintain some sort of healthy, active lifestyle and mental wellbeing.
The idea came to both of us at the same time, which seemed another sign to go ahead. We toyed with the idea once before – so we thought about it. The pros: pay off debt more quickly, beautiful landscapes, easy access to hiking, trails, open spaces. The cons: saying goodbye to our friends and family, the stability of long-term jobs, a sense of community, and putting our fertility dreams on hold. We took the leap.
We gave ourselves a few months to give our notices at work, sell or donate essentially everything we owned, and say goodbye to our friends and family. We packed up our two vehicles with what few belongings we decided to keep, and our dogs, and we hit the road.
RUN FOREST, RUN
As soon as we got here, I felt at home. The fresh air, the mountains, the smell of wood stoves burning. The town is tiny – one road long that lines a bay that leads out to the Atlantic Ocean. It has a single gas station and small variety store. We pretty quickly fell into a routine with work, getting out with the dogs, hiking – and running! I started running as millennials in their mid-30’s do. I have never been so consistent with something. I really don’t enjoy it, but that feeling you get after made me feel good and confident. I can do hard things.
An then winter hit.
ICE, WIND, DEPRESSION
At first, it wasn’t too bad. We were still able to get out for runs with ice cleats, we took up snowshoeing, and were able to keep busy. Then it was storm, after storm, after storm. On top of that, I thought coming off my medications would be a good idea (spoiler alert: it was not). I didn’t realize it at the time but, and by all appearances I was getting in shape, losing weight – but I wasn’t taking care of myself. I was barely eating, relying on ensures as a near daily brunch. I was depressed. I wasn’t motivated to do things I love – I’m honestly still not very motivated.
With everything else going on in the world, my feelings just seemed, honestly a little silly.
On the plus side, I do feel like I’m shaking off the dust and starting to feel a little better. I think it’s okay to have days where you’re just down. But I think it’s more important to just keep going. Trying to do little things everyday to take care of myself – physically and mentally.
Final Thought
I am so grateful. For so much. I am privileged to be able to move my body (albeit slowly), have people to lean on, go outside, use my voice, … the list goes on. This is what I’m trying to focus on. In the midst of chaos, I’m just trying to survive. And that’s enough.
As an aside, I think we’re going to like it here.
To not always having a plan, to making mistakes, and to being human. Cheers.
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Farah
Farah A story shaped by distance, identity, and the weight of watching everything unfold from afar. PART ONE: ROOTS OF RESILIENCE Farah is the younger of two daughters born to the union of her parents. She was born in Dubai and raised primarily in Sharjah, part of the United Arab Emirates. Her grandparents were forced to…
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