Have we talked about moving stress? Ugh. I moved around quite a lot when I was younger, and nothing has ever stressed me out like the move to Vancouver did. Maybe it’s something that gets worse with age, or maybe the planets were just mis-aligned when I was packing up my life at home, but it was not an experience I’d ever like to repeat.
The stress had a huge impact on me, and I found that I was way less interested than usual in getting out there and exploring when I first arrived. I didn’t know many people in the city, and it all just felt like hard work. As a naturally lazy introvert, I had to develop a few survival techniques that forced me out into the real world every weekend. I’m going to share them here in a series of posts, beginning with The Mini-Adventure.
Weekend looming with not a single plan on the horizon? Fantasizing about comfy pants and a sack of Cheese Pleasers? Unleash with your inner explorer and set yourself a mini-mission instead.
The idea is a simple one: think of something you love, and seek it out. Not at your neighbourhood 7-Eleven, not at the bakery you walk past every day, but in a far-flung corner of the city that you’ve never explored before. Lots of great mini-adventures begin with a Google search: best donut in Vancouver, best coffee in Vancouver, best jerky… you get the idea. My favourite things are mostly edible, but maybe you’re more interested in music stores, or used books, or parks, or kitchen gadgets.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Schlep all the way to Aubade in Chinatown for a small cup of coffee and a large dose of hipster chic.
- Take the SkyTrain to Aberdeen Mall and sample the delicious fresh jerky at Mei Jan Hong Singaporean Jerky.
- Venture deep into Stanley Park to discover the mysterious Two Spirits tree sculpture.
- Hire a bike. Take it anywhere.
- Ask your co-workers for suggestions. Act on them.
Moving to Vancouver 