Self-Trust In Canada

I’m hanging off the side of a 356m tower in pouring rain, yet, I felt excited and in awe. I subconsciously knew I wanted to be there, and completely trusted myself in the decision. (By the way, it’s an incredible view, despite seeing it from rain-covered glasses and receiving a free shower).

I started conversations with strangers, leading to deep-talk and the exchange of personal stories. I embodied this newfound confidence that seemed to appear from nowhere. I spontaneously signed up for activities. I granted myself permission to go with the flow and trust others. I had anxiety about my mental itinerary collapsing; yet, the sudden changes presented itself with new opportunities. All of these experiences are beyond the standard operating procedure for my brain; it overrides my default settings. How did I achieve this? The answer: self-trust and a solid connection with self.

Did I mention it was my first time travelling solo, anywhere? And I did it across the world from my home city.

A few of my favourite memories:

• Co-facilitating songwriting workshops as part of arts-based research projects.

• Recording my song in a music studio.

• Hanging off the CN Tower.

• Playing four different escape rooms with complete strangers. The sets? A moving pirate ship. Underground tunnels and towers of a castle. An outdoor, haunted village.

• Experiencing the power of Niagara Falls, being in the thick of it (literally).

• Learning about Canadian culture and life through talking with different locals.

These collections of experiences, now memories, emphasise the importance of authentic human connection behind the masks. Also, recognising the power of presence and energy we bring into connections. Sometimes, it takes immersing ourselves in novel, unfamiliar territory to unlock undiscovered parts of ourselves. This has been an unforgettable journey, one I will cherish for life.