The past twelve months for Kevin and me have been full of emotional, spiritual, and financial challenges. We left careers, lost grandparents, changed our plans, endured heavy travel for work, made cross-country moves, and tightened our budget. Through every high and low, one belief has stayed constant:
We come out on top every time (because we believe we can). – @be_healthful
No matter what we faced — confusion, grief, or practical setbacks — we worked together and did the best we could with the resources and knowledge we had. Although our time in Montreal didn’t turn out exactly as we’d hoped and brought its share of difficulties, it taught us a great deal. As we travel across Canada toward Alberta, we’ve been reflecting on the positive things we experienced, learned, and loved while living in the East.
We’ve intentionally reframed challenging moments to create meaningful memories and proper closure. By focusing on growth and gratitude, we’ve injected value into our lives and adjusted how we view our experiences.
Here are the highlights and lessons we brought with us:
- We love burgers — simple pleasures matter and can be a comfort during stressful times.
- We’re proud of Lexy and Pebbles, our dogs: their curiosity, resilience, and ability to adapt remind us that family adjusts and thrives even in transition.
- Employment agreements are best when written down and signed; clear expectations save stress later.
- We can work together under the same roof for a year without driving each other crazy — we’ve learned boundaries and teamwork.
- Good neighbors genuinely make a house feel like a home and improve daily life more than we expected.
- Unless you’re ready to learn a new language, moving to a place where English isn’t the norm is a steep challenge; language affects daily comfort and access to services.
- Kitchen improvisation is possible — we even learned to bake a cake on convection roast despite a broken bottom burner.
- We discovered we aren’t duplex people; some home styles just don’t fit our lifestyle.
- Hot yoga became a staple for stress relief, focus, and fitness; some routines are worth making non-negotiable.
- From our perspective, Shaw cable worked better for our needs than Videotron — small service differences can matter depending on priorities.
- Proper snow removal is a huge quality-of-life advantage in wintery regions.
- We became experts at spotting and avoiding potholes when driving; experience teaches practical survival skills.
- Brick houses won our hearts with their character and warmth.
- We admire industrial spaces converted into homes; creative architecture can make a space feel unique and inspiring.
- The language barrier directly impacted our standard of living at times, reinforcing how important communication is to feeling settled.
- We crave the outdoors more than we realized — access to nature has a big effect on our well-being.
- We fell in love with Quebec City’s charm and atmosphere; certain places leave a lasting impression.
- Niagara Falls felt surprisingly smaller than imagined, but still memorable in its own way.
- Being close to loved ones matters; proximity to family and friends supports emotional resilience.
- Leanne prefers flexible workspaces around the house over a fixed office — creativity and comfort can boost productivity.
- New York felt magical to us; brief escapes can recharge perspective and inspiration.
- Family is everything — their support and presence made the year easier and more meaningful.
- Snuggling under a blanket on a covered patio to watch a thunderstorm felt deeply romantic and free.
- Apple picking lived up to our expectations; small seasonal traditions can create lasting joy.
- If you’re unhappy, speaking up matters — honesty is the first step toward change.
- When times are tight, practical comforts like a Costco membership and a deck of cards can make life simpler and more enjoyable.
- Yes, people really do pay $1.55 per liter for gas in some places — cost of living varies widely.
- Sauerkraut can be an unexpectedly great breakfast condiment; trying local foods expands your palate.
- It’s absolutely possible to eat healthfully even on a very tight budget with planning and creativity.
I’d love to hear from you –
Tell me about a time you pushed through a difficult situation and chose to see it in a positive light. Did that perspective help you find closure?
If you haven’t tried that approach, what experience still weighs on you? What small, positive lessons can you now recognize from that time?