Skip to main content

A Month Of Simplicity

 “Adventure is exciting, but simplicity has its own kind of magic.”

Over the years of living abroad, I've gradually lost that feeling of excitement about going back to Canada for the summer holidays. Don't get me wrong, it's always great to spend time with my family and catch up with close friends, but after living independently overseas for so long, it's often an adjustment to essentially move back into my parents' home; I miss having my own space, my own car, and some of the routines I’ve created for myself living life solo.

After working so hard throughout the school year, I typically find myself craving a holiday that feels exciting, and seeing as this past school year was especially challenging for a variety of reasons, more than anything, I really wanted time to switch off and recharge. Also, it never helps that social media is filled with everyone else's exciting adventures around the world, making it harder for me sometimes to be chilling back in my home country.

But, as my month in Canada comes to an end, I must admit that I did really appreciate the slower pace of life. I wandered the streets of Montreal, spent a few days in Toronto, visited Niagara Falls, and enjoyed a little getaway to Blue Mountain. More importantly, I had the chance to spend quality time with my family, especially my parents, and catch up with a few close friends.

Life these last few weeks has mostly consisted of working out, eating plenty of food, going for walks and runs, taking lots of afternoon naps, and spending lazy evenings in front of the TV.

With all that said, it's time for my next adventure; Puerto Rico and Miami - here I come! I’m looking forward to swapping the simple life for a week filled with new experiences and a little more spontaneity.

Let us all be reminded to appreciate the quiet moments just as much as the adventurous ones.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

In a World Full of Noise, Let’s Show Understanding

“Not everyone processes uncertainty the same way, and that’s okay.” The past few days have been unexpected. What started as a normal Saturday - coaching at the gym, breakfast with a friend, catching up on work with the TV on in the background - quickly changed when I heard a loud “boom” coming from outside my apartment. At first, many of us in the community assumed it came from one of the many nearby construction sites. But, within the next few hours, the loud sounds came again and again, and word spread that these were missiles and drones being intercepted in the sky. I’ve always felt safe here in the UAE, and believe it or not, to a certain extent, I still do. Like many other residents here, I have a lot of trust in the country I’ve chosen to call home for over 11 years. I’ve seen it overcome challenges in the past, such as COVID and floods, and I’ve witnessed how much the leadership cares for the residents, particularly over the last few days.  That said, it’s no secret that I a...

Living Out a Dream

 “Have you ever stopped and thought: “Wow. I prayed for this. It’s here. It’s happening.”? I recently received a message from an  old student from my very first school in Canada. It was a simple note, but it sparked reflection in me about where I’ve come from and everything that’s happened over the last 15–20 years. At my age, I often look around and see many of the people ( my age ) settling down; getting married, having kids, buying homes ( A dream for many, especially women. ). And sometimes, I can’t help but  ask myself: what am I doing with my life? However, that message from my former student reminded me of something I often forget: I’ve already been living a dream. When I left my first teaching job in Canada, it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I absolutely loved my students, and together we had built a really special bond. But at that time, I had a dream to travel the world; to immerse myself in different cultures and to learn from people whose li...

Back on the Dubai running scene

  “The beauty of running is in its simplicity; just you, your breath, and the road ahead.” After a long hiatus, I finally made my return to the Dubai running race scene! When I first lived here between 2012 and 2017, I took part in many road races and absolutely loved the local running community. Even after moving to Vietnam, I kept the momentum going for a while, completing a few 10km, 21km and even a full marathon, especially in my first year there. But as I got more into CrossFit in 2018, running gradually took a back seat. Since then, I’ve continued to run, but without the same structure, purpose, or goals I once had. That all changed a couple of months ago when I decided to reignite my running spark and even joined a few run club sessions. I’ll be honest; those group runs have really pushed me out of my comfort zone! I’ve always loved a nice, long, slow run, but short and speedy intervals? Not so much. Still, being surrounded by people who share a similar mindset, who challeng...