The Life of a Digital Nomad: Coast to Coast

Last month, I started my final chapter of 2024.

On October 1, I was still in Bella Coola, BC. I stayed there until October 12 and took two days to drive back to Squamish that weekend, squeezing in one last night of camping this year.

Camper Life

My last days in the remote Bella Coola valley were filled with rain, a bit of hiking, last dinners, and final moments of camper life. As the temperatures cooled, I was ready to move on... but I certainly feel that I will be back in the near future.

I took some of my free and isolated time to write more blog pieces, outside of my monthly updates. I wrote about my current motives for choosing (or being imposed) a housesitting lifestyle, and the challenges of choosing ethical work.

I could feel the change of seasons. The darker months often turn into more productive times for me, working on "life admin", to-do lists and personal projects. So writing a couple pieces that had been on my mind was the first step into that wind of change.

I've also been working on a book, which is a bit frightening to say, with a lovely group of writers. We meet every other week, and will continue to do so until mid-December. I can't be sure of what will emerge from these sessions yet, but I'm halfway through and at least feeling better about my book project. The style of that writing is a bit different. And although it hasn't been updated recently, this other blog might give you a little taste, in case you're interested!

Beautiful dinners in the season of abundance

On October 14, I had just enough time in Squamish for a Thanksgiving dinner (Canadian thanksgiving is in October), a trip to my storage and some usual errands. I was going back to Bowen Island for the same housesit as in August, and as winter 2024.

As it turns out, I will have spent about four months of this year in that beautiful Bowen house, with Marvin. That's a third of the year! A bit crazy to think about. It has become one of my "homes", and it does feel like coming home whenever I go back. For that reason, and other responsible and sensible reasons, I have agreed to go back again for three months next year. I will be spending January, February and March 2025 on Bowen again.

I don't particularly like repeating experiences, but it will be a nice break, and a comfortable, safe and free place for the winter. But back to the present moment...

Right at home with Marvin

This last housesit on Bowen was a whirlwind. Getting work done both remotely and in person at the Vancouver office. Rushing from one appointment to another to make the most of city amenities (including being told by a computer technician that they could not recover the files on my broken laptop!). And realizing that I had messed up my red eye flight to Quebec and was leaving one day earlier than planned. Rookie mistake, I know.

Still, I made it in one piece to October 23. Jeep parked in a safe and dry space. Bags packed. Goodbyes said.

I arrived in Quebec City on the morning of October 24, ready to spend the rest of the year in my (original) home province, working from the Eastern timezone.

After a weekend catching up with friends and family, and a big grocery shop, I got dropped off at a lovely coliving space on Île d'Orleans: Triangle de l'île. I will be spending a whole month here. My only "rent" of 2024. It feels like a treat.

Triangle de l'île: My coliving space for a month

Being a bit isolated again, due to not having a vehicle, I hope to use this time and space to reconnect with my healthy habits and my yoga practice, do more reading and writing, make new friends, and spend quality time with the old friends willing do come visit.

So far, it's off to a great start!