Ready or Not, I’m back!

Ummm… something’s missing. Where are the sidewalk cafés, the iconic monuments, and those perfectly manicured gardens? And seriously, where’s my afternoon glass of wine? (Apparently, all the wine in Paris is completely alcohol-free—who knew? 🍷😜)

Hmmm… I guess the stunning beaches of Vancouver will have to suffice. 😉

Settling back in

I survived jet lag (a first for me). Still, after two weeks, I’m feeling a little out of sorts 🙃. My parking app didn’t even recognize me (since when do those expire?!). I’ve gotten turned around a few times—“Since when can’t you drive on this street?”—and stumbled across new spots—“Wait, when did this place open?” Oh, and, “They’re still working on this?!”

A year is a long time… except, apparently, when it isn’t.

I’m still figuring out what my routine looks like these days. I thought giving myself a two-week break from the gym would help me settle in—but in hindsight, maybe the gym was exactly what I needed. At least I’ve checked off the most important thing: saying, “Hi everyone, I’m back and I can’t wait to catch up with you!” 💛

It’s surprising—or maybe not—that I don’t quite know how I feel about being back. I know, it’s only been two weeks, so I’m reminding myself to give it time. I’m not in my own place yet, which leaves me in this in-between phase—settled, but not quite settled. Actually, it feels a bit like being a tourist in my hometown—which is fun, and has its perks. I’m discovering a new neighbourhood and appreciating the chance to see my city with fresh eyes.

That said, it’s still not Paris (sorry, Vancouver). There’s a certain sparkle I left behind that I can’t help but measure things against.

The Best Part of Being Back

I have more clothes! Lol. All those items that I didn’t pack suddenly feel like I’ve discovered an entire new wardrobe, “Oh my god, I forgot about these jeans!” Rediscovering my closet has been fun, but the real highlight of being back has been family time and celebrations too; my birthday (a whole birthday month?), my older son’s move back to Montreal, and an MCAT in the mix, with maybe a few cocktails along the way. Being with my sons has been the best—I missed them (and their beautiful girlfriends😘).

So…Now What?

Honestly, I’m not sure. How do you transition from a year of adventure and living an incredible dream back into the rhythm of home life? I keep coming back to the phrase, “Home is where your heart is.” It reminds me that home isn’t just a physical place—it’s wherever love, comfort, and belonging are found.

The Best of Both Worlds

What I do know is that Paris gave me so much—beauty, perspective, and the reminder that life can be lived in big, bold ways. Vancouver grounds me with family, friendships, and that feeling of home. But Paris was beginning to root me too—I was building relationships there, and it felt like only a matter of time before those connections grew deeper. It’s a strange thing to hold both: the comfort of home and the possibility of what was just starting to take shape elsewhere—ah, so this must be what purgatory feels like, I get it now.

Maybe “the best of both worlds” isn’t about choosing one over the other, but weaving them together into something new. I don’t know what that will look like yet—new routines, new projects, maybe even new dreams—I guess we’ll have to wait and see. For now, I’m letting myself stay open to possibility, and trusting that the path forward will reveal itself one step at a time.

Or, you know… an Air France seat sale. That’s always helpful. ✈️😉