Under Grumpa's Hat

There are times in life when everything shifts. When you stop just going through the motions and start asking yourself what really matters. That moment has arrived for me, unfolding slowly but unmistakably through May and June of 2025. What began as quiet reflection has turned into one of the biggest decisions of my life.

The Weight of the World

It would be easy to say this change was sparked by personal reasons alone, but the truth goes deeper. The world around me no longer feels familiar. It no longer feels steady.

For a while now, but more particularly since COVID, politics have become toxic. In Canada, in the United States, and in so many other places, common sense and respectful dialogue seem like relics from another era. Too many people have stopped listening. Everyone is expected to pick a side, and once you do, you’re boxed in, labelled, dismissed, or attacked. We’ve lost the ability to speak with each other without turning it into a battle. It’s constant noise. Constant judgment. And it’s exhausting.

Globally, things feel even more unsettling. The war in Ukraine grinds on. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has worsened. Tensions between Israel and Iran are rising. Violence, fear, and division seem to be spreading faster than peace ever could. Even here at home, the headlines rarely bring comfort. Trust is wearing thin. Tempers are always close to the surface. The weight of all of it is impossible to ignore.

At the same time, the cost of living has surged. Day by day, it becomes harder to stretch the same dollar. I feel it. Everyone I know feels it. And despite having a pension that’s indexed, the numbers just don’t add up the way they used to. It’s not just about money, it’s about what kind of life that money allows you to live. I’ve never lived extravagantly, but I didn’t plan to retire into constant budgeting and trade-offs either.

Making the Decision

So, we have made a decision. One that we thought through carefully, patiently, weighing every option.

We’ve chosen to leave Canada.

This isn’t an angry exit. I’m not bitter. In fact, I’m deeply grateful for everything this country has given me. But something inside me knows it’s time. Time to simplify. Time to reclaim a little peace. Time to stop feeling like I’m just holding on and start feeling like I’m living again.

Yesterday, we officially moved to Costa Rica. It’s a big step. As big as my move from Quebec to British Columbia all those years ago. As big as marriage. As big as raising children. And yes, it’s scary. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. I have my moments of doubt, of fear, of wondering if I’m doing the right thing. But most of the time, I feel at peace. I’m the kind of person who takes my time before making a big decision, who lays everything out, who writes things down. And once I’m certain, I follow through. Unless something drastic changes, I stay the course. And nothing has changed… except me.

What I’m Looking For

At the airport in Vancouver, someone asked me why I was leaving, what’s wrong with Canada. My reply came instinctively:

“It’s not about what’s wrong with Canada, it’s rather what’s right in Costa Rica: Pura Vida!“

Some have asked what I hope to find in Costa Rica that I can’t find here. Digging deeper into my soul, the truth is, I’m not looking for more. I’m looking for less. And through that, more of what matters.

💸 Affordability

I want to live within my means without constantly watching every penny. In Costa Rica, a full house costs less than a modest apartment here. The food is fresh and affordable, especially if you avoid tourist zones. Fresh fruits and vegetables are available year-round, and it’s not about indulgence, but simply having access to quality ingredients without breaking the bank. That makes a big difference.

☀️ Weather

I used to love winter. There was something peaceful about walking in the snow, something satisfying about clearing the driveway in Nakusp after a big storm. But as I’ve grown older, the cold has become more of a burden than a beauty. I’ve realized, last winter, that shovelling is no longer enjoyable, and paying someone to do it would only add to the financial strain. I now crave warmth. Not heat, but warmth. The kind that reaches your bones. The kind that doesn’t come with a warning about icy roads or frozen pipes.

✟ Hobbies and Faith

Hockey was a big part of my life, but that chapter has closed. I want to learn something new. I want to pick up a guitar and actually play more than just a few chords. I want to figure out my harmonica and lose myself in it. Maybe volunteer at an animal shelter, to give back in a quiet, meaningful way? And I really want to reconnect with my faith. I was a Knight of Columbus for years. My Catholic roots run deep, but I’ve drifted. Not in belief, but in practice. I want to return to that stillness. Not because I have to, but because I want to.

🙊 Nature

There’s something different about nature in Costa Rica. It’s not just a place to visit, it surrounds you. The air feels alive. The jungle hums with energy. There are toucans and parrots overhead, howler monkeys calling in the distance, and sloths moving at their own pace, reminding you to slow down too. The ocean is close. The trees are dense. The colours are vivid. There’s a kind of peace that comes from living so close to the wild, where life moves to a more natural rhythm.

🇨🇷 Culture

The Tico way of life appeals to me. There’s a kindness to it, a patience, a slower pace that doesn’t apologize for taking its time. People greet each other warmly. There’s pride without arrogance. I look forward to learning Spanish. Not just to speak, but to understand the way people think, live, and connect. I already speak French and English, so it feels like a natural step to embrace a third language, especially one tied to a culture I admire. All while living the Pura Vida.

⚕️ Healthy Living

Costa Rica is one of the few places in the world known as a Blue Zone, where people consistently live longer and healthier lives. That’s not a coincidence. Diets are simpler. Food is less processed. People walk more. They stress less. That kind of lifestyle can’t be bought, but it can be chosen. And we are choosing it.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Relationship

This might be the most important reason of all. Life has been busy. Most of my energy over the years went toward others: work, family, responsibilities. I wouldn’t change any of it, but I’m ready to shift my focus. I’ve struggled with mental health though it all and I have put the effort into healing. I want to reconnect with myself, but also with the love of my life by my side. To create space for better moments, healthier routines, deeper peace. It’s time to slow down and to be more present with the woman I care about. Quality time for us.

In the End, It’s About Simplicity

That’s really what I’m chasing. Not luxury. Not escape. Just simplicity.

I want fewer distractions and more presence. Less noise and more clarity. Less stress and more peace. I want mornings that begin with intention and evenings that end with gratitude. I want to live fully, without the weight of what no longer fits.

That’s what this move is about. It’s not running away, as some hinted, but stepping toward a better way of living. For me. For us.

And maybe, just maybe, for the first time in a long time, I’ll feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.