Homes & Hunts

On the value of exploring the world as a young adult

Hey, it’s Alexandra. Welcome to my weekly newsletter where I share my latest reflections on professional development and well-being.

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In today’s post, I share wisdom from:

• Country singer Sam Hunt

• The entrepreneur behind Product Hunt

• My firsthand experience relating to both

 ☕️ Read time: 3 mins (best with tea or coffee)

Sam Hunt performing in “Montrey’all”

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“Less monologuing, more singing!” a friend joked as she swirled her drink. A bunch of us were crowded into Parc Jean-Drapeau watching Sam Hunt headline Lasso—Montreal’s first country festival now in its third year of business.

While I also prefer quicker transitions between songs, hearing Hunt introduce ‘Start Nowhere’ struck a different chord with me.

The song is an “age-old story where a young man leaves his home to see the world, only to come back and appreciate where he’s from even more.”

According to his “monologue,” the song illustrates how the 39-year-old left his small town in Georgia at 18 to attend university in Tennessee and Alabama before moving to Nashville to skyrocket his music career, in 2008.

As Hunt described his need to leave home and explore the world as a young adult, I started thinking about a similar need I had in my early twenties.

Leaving Home

A lot of us can relate to needing a change of scenery as a young adult, particularly as a new grad asking ourselves, “What now?”

Last week, I read a great post on this topic called “Why you should move” by Ryan Hoover, the American tech entrepreneur behind Product Hunt—a wildly successful platform to launch and discover new products. In it, Hoover shared how moving to San Francisco in 2010 was “one of the best decisions” he’s made (in what most people would consider a remarkable career).

Here’s his explanation as to why:

London was my San Francisco (granted with lousier weather).

I’d had an inexplicable affinity for the city ever since I was a kid and when I finally visited on a backpacking trip at age 20, I understood why. The rich history, creative genius, and big red buses cruising past pristine Parliament buildings?

I was in heaven.

I only spent four days in London during that initial visit in July 2010 but it sparked an “aliveness” in me that I’d never felt before. I’d never been so intellectually stimulated.

It was organized chaos as droves of people made their way through winding lanes and cobblestone streets to pubs, fashion houses, financial offices, and everything in between. Everyone walked fast, confident in their direction.

But more than anything, it was the diversity of people and minds that inspired me to dream BIGGER—as though London were a whole new world of its own.

I swore to my friends that I’d move there someday.

I began to feel how Hoover felt in his hometown—like I didn’t belong in Montreal. Despite having the best family and childhood friends, I was largely bored and uninspired throughout university.

I had to go somewhere new and exciting.

So after a year of working and saving post-graduation, I finally did. On September 8th, 2014, I boarded a one-way flight to London.

I kept my plans under wraps until the last minute determined not to be dissuaded by people poking holes in them. It seemed the universe was on my side because I had to visit the British consulate in Ottawa to get my biometrics taken for my visa application, and my sister was coincidentally running the Ottawa half-marathon around that time. So I was able to subtly squeeze in my appointment on that same trip I’d joined as a spectator.

When I got my visa a few weeks later, my aunt and uncle—who double as my godparents—were the first family members I told. As lifelong globetrotters and avid readers who appreciate good intellect, I knew they’d be thrilled for me.

It’s crazy to think it’s now been ten years since I whispered my news to them on a crowded terrace during a fundraiser in memory of my late cousin (something I know would make him smile as he was the King of YOLO and loved being in on secrets).

A couple of days later, I spilled my English “tea” to the rest of the family at our cottage. It took multiple conversations—on the patio over morning coffees, on the dock in the afternoon, and in the kitchen in between—but I heaved a sigh of relief once everyone was in the know.

My departure was imminent so some people were emotional with their goodbyes. Others generated comic relief, like a cousin whose parting words were “See ya on the Internet!”

In my “London era” circa 2015. Check out those grey skies.

I share this because if you’re considering making a move, it can be hard to muster the confidence to go—especially early on when you’re exploring your options. People tend to project their fears and self-limitations when offering advice (we’ve all been guilty of it, even if we didn’t realize it at the time).

My advice is to think of waiting to tell others your news as putting on noise-cancelling headphones while you’re doing important work. Some people might feel blindsided, but you have to do what’s best for you.

Coming Home

By the time I hit my one-year anniversary in London, I thought I’d never leave. But I did. First for Sydney, then Paris, and eventually my home of all homes... Montreal. When I think about my full-circle journey, I think of Terry Pratchett’s words:

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors.”

Hoover hasn’t moved back to his hometown but he clearly has a deep appreciation for where he’s from and how leaving changed his perspective on life. As for Hunt, he credits “finding his way home” and “reconnecting with his roots” with shaping the man he is today.

As for me, in the wake of my ten-year London anniversary, my advice is this: whether you're itching to move somewhere short-term or long-term, DO IT. Yes, it will be hard. But it will change you. And that's a return on investment that will continue compounding for the rest of your life.

Thanks for reading and have a wonder-full week,

Alexandra

P.S. On September 7th, I’ll be hitting the water with my Dialogue colleagues for the Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race to support Cancer patients and their families, and I’d appreciate your support.

I first participated in the event back in 2016 following a tour of Cedars Cancer Centre where I was brought to tears hearing patients and physicians describe the value of the Centre’s complementary support alongside conventional treatment.

The event itself was equally inspiring and tons of fun with participants (myself included) bringing family and friends along to rally for a great cause.

Each year there’s a “Flower Ceremony” where races are paused, music is played, and people place flowers in the water to commemorate all the wonderful people we've lost to Cancer and hold deep within our hearts.

Please help me help others by donating to this wonderful cause. Any amount is appreciated. Thank you so much.

P.P.S. Here’s a glance at last night’s team practice (which culminated in a race in the rain):