In honour of the west coast edit series, I’m gonna go through some stats. Personal goals I have, styles I am currently incorporating into my life, down to the details of music I am listening to and hobbies that I enjoy.

Change is always happening, and although I don’t believe that my foundation as a human will change, maybe some of my interests might. I am now peacefully sitting with the fact that change is always happening around us. And of course with a change in environment, we can expect more shifts to occur in that process. Even over the last month, I have experienced a lot of change. I’ve moved across the country, begun a new chapter, learned to settle and adjust independently (but also with the help of my housemates who are actually amazing), and have started learning more about myself. Other than my adventure in Seattle a couple of years ago, I have never really ventured too far from home. So this was something out of character but also not, in a way. If this were me three years ago, I would have never thought that I would be packing up all my stuff and moving. I always believed that I was such a homebody. Finding comfort in familiarity. But to be honest, my move did not come suddenly. This has pretty much been a plan in motion for a year and a half, since I found the program I wanted to go into after my undergrad. I think the crazy thing was to experience this plan while it was actually happening. Because on paper it always seemed just perfect, but now I am living in its reality. Now I think to myself how much I needed this and how much this change has made sense for my life. I think the hardest part was leaving my family and friends from home. I think we can outgrow places and environments but our people are our people.

Let’s run through some stats:

1. My Goals: My current goal is partially to just get my life in order. To learn about the environment and beautiful city around me. To lean into new experiences with an open mind. To understand and accept that this journey is far from linear. To continue to celebrate small wins. To embrace this change with everything I have. To swim in the ocean as much as possible. Hike in the mountains. Walk to every coffee shop I can. I want this next chapter to embrace this free will. Taking on every opportunity (without completely burning myself out). To not be fearful of another chapter of school but learn that I am going to be filled with so much knowledge in a field I love.
2. Styles Currently: I fear this needs it’s own moment because where would I be without my focus on everyday fashion. I dress for myself. I don’t dress for a specific trend and I find a lot of enjoyment out of picking my outfit everyday, putting random colours and clothes together that just represents me. I will also say my style cannot fit into a specific category. I dress for the environment, for the context and for the activities. If I am going into the city, I got an outfit for that. If I am playing pickleball, I have one for that too. If I am climbing a mountain, I also have one for that. I like that I can fit my style into different moments. I don’t think that will change very much. I definitely think coming here, I feel pretty relaxed with my choice in outfits. I mean, I am not wearing a blazer to the beach anytime soon. But I think there’s lots of opportunity to bring my style into the Vancouver lifestyle.
3. Hobbies: HMMMM. To be honest, I feel like I am bringing out a side of me that was in hibernation. It’s hard to be fully outdoor-esque and embrace that lifestyle in Ontario. I mean I tried my very best. But it is a lot easier to motivate myself in keeping myself accountable for being active. So this hobby is just getting magnified.

 

I guess my first impression is this:

I am in awe. And I know I just moved here. But I am partially getting the sense that this feeling is going to be long-term. It absolutely shocks me that the mountains are my everyday scenery. Three years ago and beyond, I couldn’t imagine myself living anywhere else but in or near my hometown. But here I am, across the country, getting the opportunity to look at the mountains everyday. Every place I have explored so far has been amazing. And I know there are pros and cons to every place you live, but I am currently seeing a lot of positives with this one.

I have been drinking a lot of matcha while I have been here and I can’t wait to share everything I have reviewed so far. BUT, if you are ever in Vancouver, feeling ambitious to try something new, RUN DON’T WALK TO COWDOG. Get a frozen matcha latte. And just take a moment to feel the summer in this caffeinated beverage. It’s basically a win-win. A slushie/frozen goodness while maintaining my caffeine levels.

– COWDOG (immediately go here, in Kitsilano… it will not disappoint)

I’ve been trying to get into a good routine. Cooking for myself, getting my daily exercise, maintaining some sort of skincare moment. At least trying to take this time to situate myself and adjust to living in BC.

I am so excited for this adventure and I am thrilled to take you all along for this journey.

 

STAY KIND:)

with love

grace <3