When you pause to reflect on the journey you have taken to become the person you are today, what stands out for you?

​

For me, my life's path has been diverse, occasionally unexpected, but never dull.

​

I grew up in rural British Columbia, where life was a blend of outdoor activities on our family farm and evenings spent with books, craft projects, or other creative pursuits. As I got older, life became busier—work, skiing, hockey, and relationships took center stage, while reading and creativity faded into the background.

​

As soon as I was eligible, I joined the British Columbia Ambulance Service. I loved being a medical responder and embraced the training and career opportunities that followed. Eventually, I moved to Vancouver to work as a full-time Advanced Care Paramedic. It was there I met friends who were volunteering with a small Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), and I joined them. Over the next decade, I responded to natural disasters in places like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Haiti. During that time, I served in various roles, from team member and eventually team leader, to an elected position on the board of directors.

​

As the saying goes, everything has its season, and that was true for both my ambulance career and my NGO work.

Like many in emergency services, I wasn’t immune to the toll the job can take. Over time, I developed a sleep disorder that affected my mood and sense of safety, particularly during night shifts. Recognizing this, I transitioned to a second career, in education. I maintained my connection to the paramedic profession by providing training for others. However, within the structured environment of post-secondary education, I felt a growing urge to explore my creative side. This led me to photography.

 

What began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion. I found myself slowing down, seeing my surroundings through a different lens—literally. I loved composing and editing photos to capture not only the subject but also the mood and emotion. Photography became my meditation and connected me to a wonderful community of other photographers. I’m endlessly grateful for the joy it has brought into my life.

​

Then, in 2020, when the world was upended by the pandemic, I enrolled in an online certificate program in Positive Psychology. Initially, I thought it would help me relate better to my work teams during a challenging time, but it ended up transforming my life. Each module introduced simple practices that brought more positivity into everyday life. I was so inspired by what I learned that I started a blog to share my insights with others and to deepen my own understanding. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with writing. Even after the program ended, I continued to write.

​

By 2023, another season of change arrived. I resigned from my job in Canada, and my husband and I moved to Porto, Portugal. Here, I’ve been able to fully immerse myself in creative pursuits—both photography and writing. I’m drawing endless inspiration from the people we meet, the beauty of our new city, and the opportunity to explore other countries in the region.

​

Today, I find myself with more projects on my desk than ever before—and I’ve never been more excited to bring each one to life.​​​

​