A Day in Vancouver; Expanding Horizons

So I left Vancouver Island for the last time. Or at least, the last time for a long time. I have a few things planned out, a job in Prince George, Mexico in November, I’m thinking of a road trip to Alaska next year but I’m not sure yet. But first thing’s first, a day in Vancouver.

I am half-parts excited and nervous. I’ve never been a fan of the city. I was challenging myself to see the beauty in what I thought of as a grey, noisy, smelly traffic jam. There was a particular place in Vancouver I wanted to see, though.

I have heard good things about Granville Island, and it didn’t disappoint. It was like a small artists town by the water with an atmosphere all its own I almost forgot I was still in the middle of the city with a major road overhead.

Any city or town I remember the best is one with lots of little shops to pop in and

out of. Each one has a different theme, a different character, a different message they’re trying to share with you and they’re told in such creative ways. It’s like each store is a window into someone’s soul. Somebody put their heart into creating an experience for me when I walk through their door. They wanted me to feel something.

Granville Island is the perfect place for this. It may be small, but it is full of beautiful things to look at, tasty things to eat and drink, and nice views of the city…

…okay, I’ll admit, the city is actually quite gorgeous.

I have to say this is one of the first times I’ve had full responsibility for my adventuring. I’m usually with someone else who also has ideas of where to go and what to see. I’ll tell you what I did for a day in Vancouver.

I walked around for a bit and visited some stores and the Public Market. Then I found the cutest little coffee shop called “Off the Tracks”, and it was! It was down a side road where the crowds were quieter, off the beaten track. When I got there, there was just this one fellow sitting outside with his morning paper and a cup of coffee. I immediately knew this was the spot to chill for a bit. And what do I do when I chill? I knit!

But I couldn’t hang out at a coffee shop all day, so I walked around some more, visited more shops, and stopped to listen to the musicians playing around every corner. I found myself a nice spot on a sunny bench watching the water taxis go to and from the city. And I knit.

I bussed back to the mainland and walked along the beach, found myself a sunny spot… and I knit.

Finally, it was time to meet up with my parents and some friends. I took a water taxi this time (I was too scared to earlier) but it was definitely worth it. It only carries 8 or so people at a time but it is the cutest thing. Only 5 minutes to anywhere!

And at the end of the day, watching the sunset reflecting off the glass buildings was spectacular.

So it was pretty nerve-wracking to be in the big city by myself, trying to navigate and see everything at the same time. But I’m so glad I did it! I have this vision of my future self confidently walking down the streets of a foreign city, somewhat lost but knowing exactly where I’m going at the same time because I know how to get around. I feel like this was a step towards that vision.

I am particularly nervous about my upcoming trip to Mexico. Am I gonna be too scared to explore that I just hide in a hostel all day, afraid to go out? Or will I fly home a week after getting there? It’ll be WAY outside my comfort zone, but that’s partly why I’m doing it. That’s why I spent the day in Vancouver by myself.

I remember when I first moved out, I actually only lasted a week and then I went home. I was so scared and awkward when applying for jobs. Any kind of “adulting’ I had to do just made me sick to the stomach with stress. But It made it easier next time. I knew what to expect and how to handle situations better. And now I can deal with that kind of stuff without the sinking gut feeling. I know that, because I pushed myself, my comfort zone has expanded SO much in the last three years. And I want to keep expanding it, but that means that I have to be uncomfortable. I am learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

So the real message of this blog post is “Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons”. I mean, you’re probably gonna be at least a little scared. I sure am. But don’t let the fear of being scared stop you from being scared. Ugh, does that make sense? I’m trying to say that if you have a dream, or a fantasy, but you’re too afraid to make it your goal because you know that the process is gonna be hard and scary, don’t be afraid! Do it anyway! Embrace the fear and discomfort because it makes you stronger and you’ll be able to achieve bigger dreams in the future.

I hope that got the message across!

Keep dreaming, and I love you!

Gaelyn