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In my early 20s, seeking both adventure and a way to alleviate my student debt, I made the bold decision to move to Taiwan. The financial burden of my education was weighing heavily on me, and while working as a child and youth worker in Canada, I found that my income was insufficient to cover my expenses. One day, during a casual conversation, a friend suggested that teaching English abroad might be a viable path to not only pay off my loans but also embark on a new adventure. Inspired by this idea, I convinced my then-boyfriend to join me, and together we spent the next two and a half years teaching English to kindergarten and elementary students in Taiwan.

During this period, we achieved considerable fiscal success, managing to pay off my student loans while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. However, after achieving our goals, we made the decision to return to Canada. Unfortunately, coming home in my mid-20s with an inflated sense of self-importance after years of easy money and the respect I had earned in Taiwan proved to be a significant obstacle to my success in Canada.

Upon our return, we encountered numerous challenges. Setting up our lives back in Canada took longer than anticipated, and we unfortunately lost a significant portion of our savings during this transition. Finding jobs that paid enough to sustain our living expenses became increasingly difficult, leading us to move between four different cities in a short span of time. Each relocation felt like a step deeper into a financial abyss that seemed to stretch endlessly ahead of us.

After six years, and following the joyous occasion of our marriage, we found ourselves yearning for the security we once had in Taiwan. In 2009, we made the decision to relocate back to Taiwan, this time with the intention of staying permanently. Over the next seven and a half years, I dedicated myself to teaching English, a job I found immensely fulfilling. I relished not only the work itself but also the lifestyle it afforded mefinancial stability, the chance to travel, the joy of designing my dream apartment, and, eventually, the delight of adopting three cats.

Yet, despite the life we were building in Taiwan, a significant part of our hearts remained anchored in Canada, particularly due to family ties. The reality of this distance hit hard when we faced unexpected tragedies. My father-in-law passed away suddenly from a heart attack, prompting us to return home to support my husbands family during their time of need. However, we quickly realized that two weeks was hardly enough time to mourn such a profound loss.

Tragedy struck again just over a year later when I learned of my nephew's untimely death at the age of eight, a loss that shook our family to its core. Having spent seven years in Taiwan, I had only met him a handful of times, which made the loss even more poignant. In moments like these, the allure of financial security and the comforts of our apartment began to pale in comparison to the deep-rooted connections we were missing back in Canada.

As a result of these experiences, my husband and I began to realize that our physical distance from family was affecting our ability to participate in significant moments of each other's lives. We felt disconnected during times of grief, celebration, and even the simple joys of everyday life.

Now, after almost eight years back in Ontario, Canada, I am deeply engaged in the lives of my nieces and nephews. I cherish the time spent traveling with my sisters and have built closer relationships with my five brothers, who no longer feel like strangers. I have had the privilege of visiting my only living grandparent multiple times since returning; she is now in her mid-90s. I find comfort in knowing that I can see family almost every month, whether for holidays or casual gatherings.

At 46, after navigating another career transition and grappling with the ever-increasing cost of living, I have come to accept that financial comfort will likely remain out of reach for us. The dream of owning a home, purchasing a new car, enjoying lavish vacations, or securing a comfortable retirement seems unlikely. Yet, I believe it is all worth it to witness my nieces and nephews mature into adulthood. The intimate conversations I have with my siblings during car rides or hikes remind me of the rich, irreplaceable connections we share.

Through this journey, I have encountered grand adventures and valuable life lessons. Stripping away all that was familiar forced me to challenge my own boundaries and realize that often, the only limits that exist are the ones we impose on ourselves. I have also come to appreciate the immense value of sometimes simply staying put, nurturing relationships over chasing transient comforts.