the end of a chapter

It’s the evening of Sunday August 18th, 2024 as I sit down to write this final blog post. I’ve been done writing the rest for weeks now but something in me held me back from writing this one. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I’ve been busy. Or maybe it’s because once this blog post is done, that chapter of my life will truly feel over, and the memories and stories left to write will be done. Reflecting back on the woman that I was when I first landed on Vancouver Island on the morning of July 1st, 2022, if I saw her today, I wouldn’t recognize her. The woman that I have become in two of the most intense growth and healing years of my life astounds me. I have never in my life before known who I am and the woman I am becoming more than I do right now. And it fills me with so much love and pride. I built this life for myself. I have me. And that dear reader, is the greatest blessing.

And now, let’s skip back to Peru! I will remember my final days in Peru with so much fondness. I soaked up every last second of “digital nomad” life in Lima; from working in bustling cafes where the people speaking Spanish were loud, but the music was louder, to visiting cats roaming free in the city parks, to long bike rides along the ocean to visit charming cafes, clothing stores, open-air sustainable markets, and art installations. Lima is truly an alive and bustling city, and I am grateful to have closed off that chapter of my life in such a beautiful place.

On the morning of July 1st, 2022, I watched the sun rise from the air, and a couple of hours later, landed in Vancouver incredibly jet lagged and dreadfully tired after nearly 40 hours of travel. I had one final flight ahead of me to hop over to Vancouver Island, my final destination.

As this chapter of my life continues to bloom, all I feel is gratitude. Change is inevitable. And while I ache for the woman I was during that chapter of my life - so young, so carefree, so naive in so many ways - I’m also glad I am no longer her. I honour that chapter of my life for its teachings, lessons, growth, beauty, and exhilarating adventure. And I honour the death of it too. While one was ending, a new one was being born, blossoming before my very eyes, with more teachings, lessons, growth, beauty, and life-changing adventure right around the corner. I can’t wait to keep experiencing it all.

All for now,

All my love,

Onward.

-m

(Written 08/18/2024)