The Connection Issue
Happy new year!
Happy mid-January! I’m just getting back to reality after the holiday season, which flew by way too quickly!
I hope you all had a good, restful holiday season! I spent the holiday season eating a lot, often stopping to try to answer questions like what day is it? Have I had turkey today already? Is it really the end of the year? Wait, is it December? Am I in Canada?
I’m starting 2024 with doing what I do best - helping people connect. Take a minute to think about this: what does ‘to connect’ mean to you?
There’s no right or wrong answer. I see connection as a human need. It doesn’t necessarily mean building a relationship with another person; sometimes, you may feel like you need to connect to people, but sometimes, you may just need to connect to things, places and nature.
How I’m helping people connect:
Through a fun, in-person event that my startup runs, in which people can make new friends or professional connections while having fun and not worrying about “the right way to make connections.” If you’re in Toronto, come out to Sip, Play & Connect on January 22.
Joining forces with Toronto Dating Hub to bring a unique event to life - a safe space where people can connect in a non-stressful way with fun games in groups and pairs. If you’re in Toronto on January 23, join me for this fun singles mixer.
My new travel coaching session focuses on finding places that you’ll connect to or find out what you need to connect to. To book a session, just fill out this form.
My first talk as a bucket list expert!
I left my 9-5 to travel and teach abroad, and in the process, I unexpectedly crossed things off my bucket list: colived in a traditional Moroccan riad with inspiring strangers from all over the world, rode a camel in Sahara desert, learned art with a professional artist in Hong Kong, took care of elephants in Thailand and more. And now, I want to help everyone cross things off their bucket lists!
My first live bucket list workshop will happen in Toronto in the next few weeks at a women’s wellness retreat called Energize and Embrace the New. Subscribe to stay updated on when it’ll be - I’d love to see you there!
Reader question: Traveling alone can get so lonely. How can we meet people while traveling?
The first time I traveled alone was by accident. A big accident. I got pickpocketed in Italy a few days before I was supposed to head back home (you can read the full story here). My friend whom I was staying with had to leave the country, so I checked into a hostel. I shared what happened with the hostel staff, and they comforted me. They invited me to join a picnic that day, and there I met other people who were traveling alone (by choice) who welcomed me to join them in exploring the confusing streets of Rome.
—> One way to meet people: stay in a hostel.
—>Another way: talk to people. Tell them you’re by yourself and that you’re looking to do things with others. People will help you.
When I chose to move abroad to teach English and discovered that I couldn’t just hang out with my coworkers, I joined a lot of Facebook groups such as expat groups and digital nomad groups. One day, when it seemed like all of HK, including all of my friends, were attending a big rugby game, I had nothing to do all weekend, and no one to hang out with. So I made a simple post in one of the groups saying “who wants to go explore this weekend.”
The result? Friends 4 life!
—> Join FB groups and start conversations.
—> Go on Meetup, Eventbrite or travel apps and look for things that are happening.
While traveling, I learned about coliving, which are shared accommodation spaces run by a community. There are coliving spaces, which are like Airbnbs but cooler as you’ll have a group of people to hang out with if you’re craving human connection and they often organize activities. There are also coliving/coworking retreats, which offer a structured program and purpose on top of their accommodation and activities. Being intrigued by this, I signed up for a one-month coworking and coliving retreat with Unsettled in Morocco. I wrote about it here.
—> Join a coliving space, especially if you’re traveling alone, long term. Check coliving spaces - there are hundreds around the world, some notable ones are Selina, Outsite, Nomadico, Nomad Coliving (here in Montreal; almost always fully booked) and coliving retreats like Unsettled, RemoteYear.
New logo!
Wanted to give a shoutout to Nicoleen for designing my new logo! Totally recommend working with her if you need any design work done.
How did your 2024 start? Reply to this email and let me know!