Why My Intuition Is Guiding Me To Leave The City
- Liz Wik
- Jul 30, 2016
- 8 min read

It’s a funny thing, I’ve felt like I should write something about this for a while, but never had the motivation or total assurance that I was going to follow through with my plans to write.
A few months ago – the above text described my life perfectly. Not really sure what I was going to do next. Unhappy with where I was at, wishing for something better. Just waiting asking the universe for some motivation for change! Changes - yes I want that – but I realized I needed to get a little more specific. What do I want to change? How do I even begin?
As some of you may know, I live in Vancouver BC.
For starters, I want to clarify - my life overall isn’t unhappy! In fact, I would describe it as rather lovely! I live with my boyfriend, Kieran, roommate Cam and our little black cat Chocolate.
We live in a half decent neighborhood tucked into Vancity with lots of shops and amenities within walking distance. Bus stops outside your doorstep, donuts shop down the street. You can see the mountains when you gaze north, and the trees and flowers are oh so beautiful when they bloom come springtime. The summer months are a kiss of heat, and a threat of sunburn if you don’t apply sunscreen. The beaches are an oasis so beautiful that all people gather around hoping to find some relief from the heat radiating off the pavement. Bars and patios are packed with tourists and locals alike – reminding us how lucky we are to live in a city where so many people want to visit.
I love Vancouver. I have learned so much here. I went for my first dip in the Pacific ocean here. I grew my first tomatoes here and I have learned so much about how to raise myself like I did those plants. Water, sunlight, food, rinse and repeat.
However, as I have been reaching towards greater heights, especially in my spiritual journey, I have been stalled here in the city. Although it’s an excellent place to grow and learn new things, the concrete prevents you from laying down any roots. You are unable to seep into the unavoidable cliques that have already been in place for many years, and can even feel like an outsider to people you thought were your friends.
Pave Paradise – Put up a Parking Lot
How can I describe it? It’s a feeling like you’re meant to, and can, do much more in a different place. Feeling held back in your current surroundings isn’t a feeling anybody really likes to go through. Have you ever felt drawn to a certain lifestyle or a certain city that just makes you daydream about the possibilities? It makes you start seriously thinking about your options and what your life will look like in a few years time – all depending on what choices and direction you travel in now.
Feeling overwhelmed by options is a thing too – no doubt about that. Sure, I could stay here in the city. Kieran and I have a solid place to live, he’s got jobs he could pursue, and I could apply for some. But it would throw a wrench in the relaxing life we are seeking. A full time job for me would include an hour or more of travel to and from work on transit everyday and not making me much more than enough to cover my rent and bills from being a student for two years. We’ve done this before. We didn’t see much of each other. I wasn’t feeling fulfilled or respected at work. I felt out of place and tired in the time I did have off. Overall, we weren’t very happy. We had extra money in the bank – great – but no time or energy to go and spend it. Save it for a vacation? Sure – but if work declines your ‘request’ for time off then you’re shit outta luck.
It’s a surprisingly common thing that a lot of people I have talked to recently are going through. More and more people have expressed that they wish they had the confidence, courage, or even freedom to pack up their lives and move – or even just to change to something different. But they’re often so stuck on the ‘what if’s’. They want their lives to change and be happier – but what if something doesn’t go exactly as planned? What if the money runs out? What if I can’t find work? What if my family doesn’t approve? And more. The other difficult thing for a lot of people is that they might have to change fundamental things about their lives that aren’t truly making them happy, but have instead formed as habits over the years. Old habits die so very hard, but why give up something you’re used to?
Take those ‘what if’s’ and shove them!! Seriously! No amount of anxiety or worry is going to change the future and no amount of regret can change the past. Live in this present moment because here’s a shocker – you’re here now, and that’s all you’ve got!!
Here’s the good news that I am here to tell you – you do have the freedom to change! You are flexible and you can adjust to anything. You do have the courage and the desire! Nobody is holding you back but you. You always have that choice! Ignore what you’ve been told and go deep within yourself – what would make you truly happy? Am I doing things out of guilt or obligation? Or am I doing things because I truly enjoy doing them?
So that brings me full circle. To the dismay of some people around me, I decided that I didn’t want to let other people and old ideas pressed into us about how we should live from birth dictate my life. I can change things if I don’t like them or they aren’t making me happy. It’s not going to be a big deal. And no, I’m not going to regret it when I’m old. In fact, I plan to be the happiest old person around because I have created my life the exact way I want it, TAILORED FOR ME. SUIT UP!
The world is filled with amazing people, places to live, countries to travel to, jobs to work, things to do, wonderful experiences, clients for businesses and more. There really truly is enough abundance and prosperity to go around for everyone to do whatever makes him or her happy. Being in the city doesn’t always make me feel that way. There’s so much angst and competition. There’s so much anxiety and depression about what’s going to happen next.
And that’s why I’ve decided to take my life into my own hands and to leave the city.
I’m not happy feeling stuck in a routine where it requires 2+ hours on a bus everyday.
I’m not happy working a job that is just a job to pay the bills and still hardly get by. I’m seeking employment where I don’t have to fake it ‘till I make it. I’m seeking a lifestyle that doesn’t require having to work so much.
I’m not happy listening to traffic and sirens 24/7.
I’m not happy being woken up by loud construction every morning. Our bedroom window is right by a construction site – and lucky for us, the bylaw in Vancouver allows them to begin work at 7 am and finish at 8 pm.
I’m not happy paying sky high rent for something that truly is not worth the dollars that I pay with a landlord who could care less if the roof leaks.
I’m not happy paying something Kieran and I call the “outside tax” which includes your $2.75 transit fare (only one way mind you) and whatever money you spent on food, drink, parking, shopping, giving that homeless man a loonie or anything else you encountered while you were out there. And trust me, you do encounter things. It’s hot out – you’re thirsty - you’re going to stop for a Starbucks. There’s one on every corner after all.
I’m not happy riding the bus for an hour to get to the beach, and when you get there searching for a half decent place to sit because all of the good spots are taken. There are so many people everywhere, you can hear everyone’s conversation and enviably you are going to pick up on and absorb that energy (good and bad) from everyone around you.
The popular local eateries are much like this as well. Want to go get your favorite eats? Ok, but please wait half an hour until a spot at the bar frees up. After that you’ll get on the waiting list for a table. What?? I’m hungry now!!
It’s all these little things that take me away from my inner peace. Nowadays I am much more satisfied making one trip out to the grocery store per week to have everything I need to cook meals at home because it’s just too exhausting to venture out for your favorite grub. Ordering in delivery is a pleasant albeit expensive option living in the city too.
It’s hard to make plans with the friends you have because they are in the same boat as you. Working too many hours to support a lifestyle they can barely afford. When you do have time off on the same day, it’s often lots of travelling from place to place because hardly anyone can afford to live in Vancouver anymore. Friendships fade. Honestly, I can’t say I blame them. I don’t want to travel around for hours after I’ve worked a long day. I just want to put on my onsie and renew my vows to my sofa.
It’s easy to fall into this trap – you become glued to your TV and other habits that aren’t doing you anything to get you towards your life purpose or living your most healthy and happy life! You start drinking, smoking, eating junk and indulging in these things more than what moderation and good health calls for.
To be honest, that is one of the biggest reasons I know that now is the best time for me to go. I need to break my old habits. My intuition and guidance has been telling me for almost a year now that it is time to break old routines. There is more fresh air for me to smell, more hikes to take, and more genuine human connections to make – elsewhere. The things I leave behind – hours of TV, being glued to my smart phone, worthless material belongings, take out food, an idealistic inner city lifestyle – won’t be missed in comparison to what I will gain; Freedom, good health, physically and mentally, love, happiness and adventure.
Leaving the city is helping me get towards my higher purpose. I know I am supposed to help more people whether that is through my Angel Card Readings and healing, or perhaps other ventures I have mulled over and planned for months. I feel excited and hopeful when I think of starting a new life outside of the city. I grew up in a slower pace and I believe that is what I am more attuned to. I feel happier, healthier, less inflamed, less agitated when I am away, where I can be closer to my angels, the universe as well as the deep blue beauty that is the ocean.
I hate to go on and on with a rant, but when something feels right, it just does. From watching people around me, I’ve learned that I need to just go for it, and I trust that if things don’t work out perfectly – that’s OK too. It’s OK to try things out and make mistakes. It is not going to be the end of the world. In fact, it will be very much the opposite. It will be the beginning of an elaborate journey that you put together puzzle piece by puzzle piece of the most ornate art you will ever create.
How boring would life be if I just stood in one place doing the same thing day after day? How fulfilled would I be to not have any energy or any hope for something exciting in my future? Where do I find peace and happiness? Where do I find joy through friendships, love and nature?
The answer is to be determined. We move in one month and I am going to document the journey along the way. I’ve considered doing some videos to talk about and show our progress as we wrap up our lives here in the city, downsize what we own and start again somewhere else. If anyone would like to see those, please let me know, and hopefully I can put away the camera shy feelings in order to share and inspire more people to live the life they truly desire.
Thanks For Reading! :)

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