Yesterday marked my one year in Canada. I still remember arriving in the middle of the night, in an unknown apartment in an unknown city. I was originally supposed to move to Vancouver which I visited previously but due to the pandemic I had to change my plans. It was either wait the pandemic out (which am so glad I did not because I will still be waiting!) or move to a different city which I had not yet seen. I decided to take a risk and go for it.
The journey from Mauritius to Montreal was hellish. I used to love traveling and looked forward to transits, check-in and outs of airports hinting at adventures and the occasional banter with passengers. This time, I had a one-way ticket to a new place, a 12-hour journey followed by a 7-hour transit in Paris Charles de Gaulle then another 7-hour to Montreal. Masks and all. I will never forget that transit, there were only two coffee shops open and so morose. You were always on your guard in case somebody with COVID was passing to close to you. In October 2020, pre-vaccine time, traveling was not pleasant.
Now it is October 2021 and we made it a year! In a way time was distorted for me, very slow during the first few months and then going too fast, with things opening up and me battling FOMO.
Here are my 7 lessons from my one year settling in Canada:
1. Moving to a new country is one of the hardest but most rewarding things in life
I have moved countries thrice, Canada being the lucky third. You would think it gets easier and that third time is a charm. No, especially not true during a pandemic. It is one of those things where experience is not necessarily your best friend. I kept thinking of past mistakes I made during previous moves and it put me in overthinking mode. Leaving a life behind is always hard, the memories you made with friends, the attachment with family. I questioned whether I will have it all back.
But once you move and things start falling into place, building a new routine and adapting to the new environment, you suddenly discover a new feeling. It is a mixture of joy and fulfilment and it starts to hit home that there is more to life than what you previously knew.
2. Do not take advice from people who do not inspire you
Ever since I obtained my Canadian entry in 2019, I started researching and mostly asking people around. Particularly, people who have lived through what I was going to embark on. I got a lot of negative feedback. Canada is cold, it is tough for a woman to succeed, there are no jobs. Basically, do not come now or……ever. I still remember one feedback, which left me cold and drained of energy. I was slightly discouraged. But I soon regain my hopeful demeanour as I slept on it. I realised none of this people have the same goals or vision as me. Perhaps they were disappointed by their own expectations or not meeting their desires out of life. But it had nothing to do with me. And perhaps nothing to do with Canada either.
3. Separate facts from personal opinions
This is a continuation from the point above but is a lesson on its own. When we listen to people or heed advice, most often we take a bunch of facts but also too many personal interpretations of the person. We are all different with unique personalities and our own quirky thought processes and beliefs. When you have a conversation, especially one where you are seeking information, be a listener and observer and segregate the facts being provided from the interpretations which have been processed by the individual or individuals.
4. Everything is figureoutable.
I first heard the word figureoutable when I bought Marie Forleo’s book of the same name. She is an inspiring personality and I liked the way she overcame the struggles in her life by using the personal mantra that you will figure things out. This is an important mindset to have especially in tough conditions. Above all it is necessary to have no expectations but rather the conviction that things will work out. If it does not, it is not the end. This is how I survived the first few months here, where businesses were closed, Montreal was a ghost town, and I barely knew anyone.
5. We are too attached to our previous identities
I had to quarantine for two weeks when I arrived and during that time, I did not have wi-fi in my apartment for a few days, my admin procedures were stalled, and I could only resume them after my two-weeks isolation period. Basically, I was in limbo. I was no longer the person I was back home and I was yet to become the person I am today. Nobody knew me here; I could be anything or anyone which is a very disorientating phase. But what is an identity if not a sense of self-worth and character? We are too attached to our name, our background, our job title, our religion given at birth. In life we need to constantly reinvent ourselves and that starts with detachment from identities.
6. Things are more negotiable than you think
I got a discount on my rent before I moved since it was customary in real estate rentals to give COVID related discount. I wanted to take a six-months lease until I figure things out and they offered a bigger discount for a year. I got a job offer and had another interview on the same day. Suddenly I was negotiating job offers. Similarly, I tried to find a Canadian cell number and what a rip-off. Since they knew I was new to the country, I got offered lofty contracts and they were very good salesmen. Only when I was reluctant to choose a contract that they offered the cheapest package which they do not show on display.
Then, I wanted to renew my lease. They told me no more COVID discount as demand is increasing. So, I was ready to give up the apartment. They offered a satisfactory discount. Recently, I went to a nice restaurant, alone. I was not too hungry. I asked if it was possible to order half of the menu items. Anything could be ordered in half for half the price. I have tried it in a few other places, worked more times than I expected.
7. Appreciate the little things while you can
Canada has a very unpredictable climate and it could be cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon. You have to be ready for any adverse weather situation. But the changing of the seasons is beyond beautiful and no two days are the same. You have to learn to appreciate the beauty of each day (yes even the snowstorms, from indoors if possible). Today I was on one of my discovery walks, walking endlessly and aimlessly before I resume work tomorrow. It was warm and sunny. I looked at the ground where I walked effortlessly and felt grateful. In two months, this will be covered in snow and walking will be somewhat painful. I have learned to take each day as it comes, be it snowstorm or a beautiful colourful fall day.
