as of this time next month, i will have worked at my current job for 2 whole years. for some people that’s a long time, for others it’s not, but for me it is.
the thing that has been amazing for me in this job is that it’s completely remote, with extremely encouraging employers who want to see us exploring and traveling.
i’ve taken advantage of this option lightly a few times to visit my family in toronto over the holidays and work from home for a few weeks but i’ve never done any massive trips with my laptop other than that.
during may 2022, i found out that my partner and i would be moving from our home in vancouver to toronto for his work in early 2023. i was excited for him but so bummed for myself because i love vancouver so much and have built a network there after living in the city for the past seven years. i didn’t necessarily have to move to toronto with him, but honestly, my family is here and it would be nice to embark on a new chapter with him.
so i packed up my apartment and moved back home in january, which was hard but part of me knows i wouldn’t have explored as much and enjoyed my summer and fall in vancouver if it wasn’t for the fact that i was leaving.
anyways, i moved back to toronto but i decided to move in with my parents as opposed to moving in with my partner. you’re probably like… why would you do that? i just realized that i’ve been paying rent for seven years, and i kind of want a break.
then i realized, what if i used the money i was saving on rent to actually pick up and go exploring. it’s been seven years since i’ve really challenged myself and chosen to do something that’s scary, that’s uncomfortable (seven years ago i moved across the country alone at 17 to go to ubc). maybe i need a little bit of uncomfortable growth, uncomfortable disruption.
so for months i’ve been letting this idea grow and fester. finally i landed on a rough *dream*. ✨ london, england for three months ✨ that way i can maintain stability & routine, be with friends in that city but also travel on the weekends to neighbouring countries.
i started planning two weeks ago and i somehow already have my plane ticket and first two months of living organized. my plan has changed a bit but i want to share some resources i used to help find places to live:
airbnb, filter by flexible monthly stays with dedicated workspaces
outsite, an amazing co-living arrangement where you get your own living space but also get access to co-working spaces
matesplace, i used the fb group because you need to be in the uk to download the app. people share their sublets, and rentals in this group
spareroom, great for flexible searches with many different filters to find spaces in apartments for renting or sublets
selina, similar to outsite - co-living and working!
hope you find this list helpful. whenever i get my next post out i’m going to talk about how i’ve starting planning my trip so far & adapted to changes in the plan :)
thx for following along
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just a reminder that there’s no set schedule for this newsletter, i’m using it as a blog almost to document my remote work trip and note down my work productivity tips. posts will be sporadic & random.