What a beautiful story. Years ago I moved to a new city, not intending it to be a move to start anew. But it ended up being that and more! When I return to my old city, I feel a cloud of sadness from past memories that will always be associated with that place. But when I return to the new city where I've lived now for decades I always feel happy and alive!
Thank you, Valerie, for sharing your personal experience. It beautifully echoes the themes in the story about how geographical changes can lead to unexpected personal shifts. Great that you feel happy and alive in your new city.
Yes!!! My husband and lived for 35 years in a place that was not right for us. We didn’t share the values of the area. We didn’t love the climate. We felt like salmon swimming upstream for decades. Since moving we now love our community, our climate, our activities, and the sheer joy of where we live!
Great post. Thoughtful and true. When I was younger, I often daydreamed about just leaving, walking into a new life..where I knew no one, no one knew me. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. You really do need to shake off and start fresh.
Do you have any regrets about moving to Yukon?
I wonder how the young man made out, if it was successful, hope he was able to land on his feet.🙏
I have seen many adults around me get stuck in negative ruts—I call them “tailspins.” A change, whether location, job or relationship, is often part of pulling out of the tailspin. Support from positive friends and family, and even a good counsellor, is important to break out of bad habits, behaviour or ways of thinking about things. The main thing is to take action to change, instead of staying in the tailspin. As they say in AA (I am not a member but I admire some of their advice), if you’re digging yourself a hole, stop digging. Once you find happiness, hold onto it. You can find it in unlikely places.
Hello, Gurdeep! This essay resonates with me. I have lived in seven different places around the world. One thing I’ve learned is that you don’t become a different person. You gain a different perspective. My mum used to say that she could be happy anywhere, and that outlook has guided me. I would move back to some of my cities and others were not good fits, but I enjoyed them all.
What perfect timing! Just as I’d been thinking about moving, your article popped up. Felt like a little sign! I loved the story you shared. It’s always interesting to see the different reasons people choose to relocate.
What really stuck with me was your point about habits. So true, if we bring the same patterns to a new place, not much will actually change.
I’m still not sure when or where I want to move, but I do know I’m ready for a change. After 11 years in Vancouver, I feel like I’m done with city life. Not sure what’s next, but I’m curious to see where it leads.
These lines are so beautiful: I reassured myself that he wasn't lost in the crowd—he was finding his way back to himself. Through the downtown sea of people, he raised his hand high for one final wave goodbye.
Very Beautiful Article, Dr. P. Thank you very much! 🙏🏽
Great article! You had me in suspense the whole time! Although, your new friend and you had a pleasant exchange, I would not pick up hitchhikers. Don’t you watch/read the news, Gurdeep? I’m just glad it was a positive adventure. / It must have taken great courage & determination to pack up and leave your life for something better & new. I’m currently looking for a new place to live. Not so much this time to start anew but instead to get away from people. I’m actually thinking of living by myself after spending the past 15 years in group homes. I still don’t think I can care for myself but I’ll be getting a lot of support, apparently. Anything seems better than living in another group home with a bunch of strangers and being ill treated by my caregivers. I greatly appreciate group homes because without them I could’ve ended up on the streets. But if I can live by myself and even if I have to struggle with isolation more than I do now, I prefer it to a group home. Thanks!
I left my "old life" behind in the U.S. when I was 22, and it was one of the best things I ever did. Back in 1987, there was no internet, and I lived in London with no family or close friends, only my boyfriend. I stayed for five years. Sometimes, I wish I had never left. I had culture shock re-adapting to my life back in the U.S.
Habitual patterns only diminish through hard work-in my case, regular meditation. Otherwise you are just bringing old problems to a new location. Love your videos, and I want to learn how to dance like you do
Thank you. My husband and are just now exploring a move to another area to adjust to our next chapter of aging. This was a nice kick off for our planning to make a new journey.
What a beautiful story. Years ago I moved to a new city, not intending it to be a move to start anew. But it ended up being that and more! When I return to my old city, I feel a cloud of sadness from past memories that will always be associated with that place. But when I return to the new city where I've lived now for decades I always feel happy and alive!
Thank you, Valerie, for sharing your personal experience. It beautifully echoes the themes in the story about how geographical changes can lead to unexpected personal shifts. Great that you feel happy and alive in your new city.
Yes!!! My husband and lived for 35 years in a place that was not right for us. We didn’t share the values of the area. We didn’t love the climate. We felt like salmon swimming upstream for decades. Since moving we now love our community, our climate, our activities, and the sheer joy of where we live!
Great post. Thoughtful and true. When I was younger, I often daydreamed about just leaving, walking into a new life..where I knew no one, no one knew me. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. You really do need to shake off and start fresh.
Do you have any regrets about moving to Yukon?
I wonder how the young man made out, if it was successful, hope he was able to land on his feet.🙏
I am very happy that I moved to Yukon. Best decision.
Not sure what happened to that man. But I am hoping that one day our paths will cross again.
Good for you!
Hopefully one day you see him again.
I have seen many adults around me get stuck in negative ruts—I call them “tailspins.” A change, whether location, job or relationship, is often part of pulling out of the tailspin. Support from positive friends and family, and even a good counsellor, is important to break out of bad habits, behaviour or ways of thinking about things. The main thing is to take action to change, instead of staying in the tailspin. As they say in AA (I am not a member but I admire some of their advice), if you’re digging yourself a hole, stop digging. Once you find happiness, hold onto it. You can find it in unlikely places.
Hello, Gurdeep! This essay resonates with me. I have lived in seven different places around the world. One thing I’ve learned is that you don’t become a different person. You gain a different perspective. My mum used to say that she could be happy anywhere, and that outlook has guided me. I would move back to some of my cities and others were not good fits, but I enjoyed them all.
Certainly, every place brings a unique perspective.
What perfect timing! Just as I’d been thinking about moving, your article popped up. Felt like a little sign! I loved the story you shared. It’s always interesting to see the different reasons people choose to relocate.
What really stuck with me was your point about habits. So true, if we bring the same patterns to a new place, not much will actually change.
I’m still not sure when or where I want to move, but I do know I’m ready for a change. After 11 years in Vancouver, I feel like I’m done with city life. Not sure what’s next, but I’m curious to see where it leads.
These lines are so beautiful: I reassured myself that he wasn't lost in the crowd—he was finding his way back to himself. Through the downtown sea of people, he raised his hand high for one final wave goodbye.
Very Beautiful Article, Dr. P. Thank you very much! 🙏🏽
Everywhere I go, there I am.
Wherever I go there I Am... One's attitude, good or bad goes with them and shapes what out manifests in their life.
Great article! You had me in suspense the whole time! Although, your new friend and you had a pleasant exchange, I would not pick up hitchhikers. Don’t you watch/read the news, Gurdeep? I’m just glad it was a positive adventure. / It must have taken great courage & determination to pack up and leave your life for something better & new. I’m currently looking for a new place to live. Not so much this time to start anew but instead to get away from people. I’m actually thinking of living by myself after spending the past 15 years in group homes. I still don’t think I can care for myself but I’ll be getting a lot of support, apparently. Anything seems better than living in another group home with a bunch of strangers and being ill treated by my caregivers. I greatly appreciate group homes because without them I could’ve ended up on the streets. But if I can live by myself and even if I have to struggle with isolation more than I do now, I prefer it to a group home. Thanks!
I left my "old life" behind in the U.S. when I was 22, and it was one of the best things I ever did. Back in 1987, there was no internet, and I lived in London with no family or close friends, only my boyfriend. I stayed for five years. Sometimes, I wish I had never left. I had culture shock re-adapting to my life back in the U.S.
So wonderful to read! Thank you!
I have recently moved to California leaving a 25 year history behind and found this article very comforting.
Habitual patterns only diminish through hard work-in my case, regular meditation. Otherwise you are just bringing old problems to a new location. Love your videos, and I want to learn how to dance like you do
Thank you. My husband and are just now exploring a move to another area to adjust to our next chapter of aging. This was a nice kick off for our planning to make a new journey.