Reflections on Toronto with Moose: From City Streets To Summer Solitude
Introduction
Hi friends! As I started to wrap up my summer here in the city, it was the perfect time to reflect on a truly transformative season. This summer, I explored nature, embraced solitude, and found inspiration in the simplest moments. It’s been a journey of practicing mindfulness and setting future intentions, all while having my loyal Chihuahua, Moose, by my side.
In previous blogs, I've shared the ups and downs of my life post-secondary, but these past few months have been a whole new relief. Without the weight of events threatening my mental well-being, I've been able to enjoy time with my loved ones and reflect on what I've learned since moving out of my family home. This summer, work and summer school have kept me busy as I complete a semester before moving for the year. Work has been a great way to get me dressed up and out of the house daily.
I've cherished my first summer living in the city in my free time. From countless walks around the town with Moose to religiously attending Jay's games, enjoying occasional beach days, and indulging in many happy hours, this summer has been about finding balance and joy in everyday life. These experiences have profoundly impacted my mental health, creativity, and personal growth, and I'm excited to share more about them with you.
Exploring Toronto’s Nature Spots
Although you may think there's little greenery in the city, spending more time here and having the freedom to explore different locations has been worth it. With Moose, I'm pushed to leave my house 1-3 times daily. Our go-to spot is the Berczy Park Dog Fountain, a quiet greenery escape surrounded by towering buildings. We've also enjoyed our visits to the lakeshore, watching the ferries take off to the island, and planes soar to unknown destinations.
Another hidden nature getaway is Toronto Island. I visited it for the first time since I was a baby, and I accused my mom of never taking me, but she swears we went when I was little! Escaping the city's hustle and bustle was refreshing, knowing it was just a 10-minute boat ride away. Tanning on the beach with friends while seeing the city skyline was a great way to spend a day off; I could even see Niagara in the distance in the other direction!
Toronto has several parks and natural spots that have become my favourites. With its charming dog fountain, Berczy Park is a retreat for us. Moose and I have had many memorable adventures there, and it's become our little urban oasis away from home. Our lakeshore visits have been equally delightful, offering stunning views and a peaceful atmosphere.
These moments of escaping city life and enjoying a change of scenery have been more than just enjoyable. They've been a lifeline for my mental health, providing clarity and inspiration. The natural environment has been a catalyst for my creativity and productivity, making this summer a transformative experience in more ways than one. I hope my experiences inspire you to prioritize your well-being and seek out similar nature escapes.
The Art of Solitude
Few of my friends live alone. Initially, living alone was nerve-racking, but with Moose by my side, I quickly adapted and even began to enjoy it. Returning to living with roommates will be challenging, especially since I don’t know who they will be. However, I am grateful to bring Moose as my emotional support, much like Dug was for me last year.
Last year, our apartment had four girls and three dogs, and it couldn’t have been crazier! Each living experience offers valuable lessons, and my older roommates last year better prepared me to live alone. Before that, I only lived alone in a university dorm room, always escaping to sleep in my bed.
When people ask if I mind living alone, I can honestly say I don’t. Moose motivates me to leave the house, and I’ve built strong connections with coworkers who have become friends. I’m grateful for my talkative personality, which makes it easy for me to make friends wherever I go.
Having a strong foundation around me has allowed me to feel safe and comfortable. I cherish this alone time because I don’t get to enjoy it often. Whenever I feel down about not seeing anyone, I remind myself to cherish the moment because who knows when I might meet my future husband!
Spending alone time in the city has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’ve had to do things I used to ask my mom to do for me, like calling the doctor and dentist. Watching her raise me independently set an expectation for me to do everything myself. This summer, I've learned the difference between loneliness and solitude. I don’t feel alone anymore; I felt more alone when surrounded by people who didn’t care for my goals.
Building my solitude has been a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. It’s about finding people who share my goals and values and setting boundaries with those who don’t. Being authentic has attracted like-minded individuals, or even exact opposites, from whom we've learned and grown. Navigating personal, family, friend, and work issues has been challenging, but it's all part of life's journey to reach our true selves.
Spending time alone in the city has been a profound experience. I’ve explored new places, met new people, and discovered parts of myself I didn’t know existed. Reflecting on the difference between loneliness and solitude has been eye-opening. Loneliness is a feeling of emptiness, while solitude is a state of being content with oneself.
Solo adventures have led to significant self-discovery and growth. I’ve learned to appreciate my own company and enjoy the little things. These experiences have shaped my perspective, teaching me resilience, independence, and the value of true companionship. Through solitude, I’ve learned that personal growth often comes from within and that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely.
Moments of Mindfulness
In Toronto, you can never get bored. Each block is completely different from the other. At the same time, Moose and I could walk the same route daily and still find something new each time. When people ask why I enjoy the busy city life, I say it grounds me. Walking through the city, I can reflect and look around, seeing other pedestrians, cars passing by, and animals following behind their owners. Each person has a different story that has brought them to this point. Even though most of my friends and family don’t live near me, I never really feel alone when I’m out and about in the city. Each time I step out, I always have some sort of interaction!
My favourite interactions are the ones with Moose. Seeing people glance up from their phones for two seconds or tap their partner on the shoulder to look at the fluffy little Chihuahua always brings joy to my face, especially when cars roll down their windows and yell out how cute Moose is. There are special moments where I can tell someone needed some time with a cuddly little guy. Hearing their life stories or about their past pets always means so much. People have even shed a tear while cuddling him and sharing their stories. I’ve even gotten closer with some of my coworkers by bringing Moose to the store.
Life is so hard nowadays and constantly changing, but I’ve learned from being a dog parent that they slow us down and keep us grounded. They have nowhere else to be than in that moment with their person, unconditionally trusting them. I feel pretty sad as I write this blog because Moose isn’t snuggled up next to me. He’s at home visiting with my mom. I’ve had to use my other mindfulness tactics. As I said, my walks in the city are always unique, and I always come back with a story or sometimes a shopping bag or Starbucks cup.
Journaling and sitting in my thoughts have been something I’ve had to become better at. It’s hard to reflect on our flaws, but once we reach that point, we can assess what needs to change and accept that some things don’t need to change, and some do. We need to put ourselves first and choose our values. Everyday moments and interactions in Toronto inspire my creative work. Mundane moments often spark new ideas, and I’ve learned to find inspiration in the ordinary.
Mindfulness has been a significant part of my summer activities. Being present has made a considerable difference, allowing me to connect with my surroundings and appreciate the beauty of life's simple joys. These experiences have fueled my passion and drive in the creative industries, reminding me of the importance of finding inspiration in everyday life.
Setting Intentions for the Future
As I’ve finally settled into my routine in the city, I am uprooting again! But to be honest, I like always being on the go. Most of my family is like that, always trying out new things. My dad went from being a teacher to getting into medical school, earning his master’s degree, and now, his career in law enforcement. My mom began her career as a principal at a very young age, even before she had me, which was a difficult spot to get at that time. She then earned her master’s and tried to pick up a second over COVID. But even a superwoman can’t do it all! Despite this, her dream career was to be a flight attendant, and still is to this day. So, my career possibilities were endless while I was growing up.
My reflection journey has shown me that whatever I want to do in this life is up to me and no one else. My mindset has changed to where I am only working to meet my expectations, and so should you. Once we start focusing on our own lives, that’s when self-reflection and change happen. Looking into other people's lives truly mirrors those qualities within yourself.
I am so proud of the growth I’ve encountered living as a single female in the city, managing for myself and my dog. It didn’t happen overnight to build this security within myself, and I’m sure there will be more bumps along the way. But knowing I am capable of taking care of myself and understanding my worth, I attract and keep like-minded individuals around me. This summer has been a joy because I’ve let go of people who aren’t interested in mutual growth and have invested time in myself and those who are genuinely happy for my success as I am for theirs.
I fear what this new chapter brings with my move back to Florida. This time, I am returning with my head held high, coming in as my most authentic self, no holding back. I am excited to be surrounded by like-minded cast members seeing their drive. That inspired me last year and makes me want to continue working with the company. The opportunities and dreams are endless. The connections I have made are ones I will cherish, and I look forward to more I will make and more insights I will gain over the next 12 months.
Reflecting on my goals and intentions for the upcoming months, I plan to focus on personal and professional growth. My summer experiences have shaped these intentions by teaching me the value of self-reflection and authenticity. I look forward to achieving new milestones and am confident that my summer journey has prepared me well for these future goals.
Conclusion
This summer has been a profound journey of joy, solitude, and inspiration with Moose. Reflecting on my experiences, I’ve realized the importance of finding balance and happiness in everyday life, exploring nature, embracing solitude, and practicing mindfulness. These simple yet powerful moments have significantly improved my mental health, creativity, and personal growth.
Nature spots in Toronto, like Berczy Park and Toronto Island, have provided peaceful escapes from the city’s hustle and bustle, offering clarity and inspiration. The art of solitude has pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me resilience, independence, and the value of true companionship. Mindfulness has been a crucial part of my summer activities, allowing me to connect with my surroundings and appreciate the beauty of the mundane.
As I set intentions for the future, I am proud of the growth I’ve encountered and the lessons learned. I look forward to achieving new milestones and embracing new opportunities with an open heart. My summer journey has prepared me well for the next chapter, and I am excited about what lies ahead. With Moose by my side, I am grateful for the experiences and the insights gained, and I am ready to embark on new adventures and continue growing personally and professionally.
