Time has gone unbelievably fast – in two days we are already off on our vacation back to Estonia and we have been in Calgary almost 6 months. It has been very busy 6 months and we both feel like we definitely deserve a good holiday. Knowing the schedule while we will be at home, though, we know that it is not going to be relaxing holiday, but a very busy one.

Looking back at the past six months, things that stand out are the lovely trips we have taken to the different parks and mountains around here, our health kick of exercising in the gym and yoga, meeting new and lovely people. The overall sentiment has been very positive, even though, we have struggled with meeting our business goals. For me it is very different to come to a new country and have to create my own job and income. Previous 6+ times when I have moved, it has always been with a job. The existing jobs have made it easy for me to meet people and settle into a routine. Now setting up my own business in a country where we did not know anyone when we came here, has been challenging. I don’t have a boss or co-workers who expect things from me on time – so I set my own goals and routine and follow up with myself. I don’t have an existing network of peers, suppliers, co-workers, I need to create my own network. It has been more work in getting things set up, but it also has been more rewarding – I don’t need to do business or work with people I don’t like, I get to set my own priorities and pace. But I also need to exercise my own pro-activity muscle a lot more. I must admit, it has become a bit underdeveloped over the years of following other people’s priorities. Just like the muscles in my body haven’t been exercised much in the past 10 years and now welcome the attention they get 6 times a week. I believe that it has been really good for me. Yesterday at a networking event, one person I told that I have been in Canada for 6 months, was genuinely surprised that I did not look stressed and not knowing what to do. I took it as a compliment and that eased my self-criticism of wanting to have a lot more things done by now.

Now I look forward to vacation and feel like I have definitely earned it, but I already look forward to being back at work  in July. I have met people I’d like to follow up with and I’d really like to start working on my website that I have been putting on hold while working on other priorities.

But for the next few days, it is going to be making sure that I have thought of everything and everyone when back at home and that I have the necessary things to feel comfortable while travelling.