HOMECOMING: THE END OF A JOURNEY, THE START OF A NEW LIFE
Empower Your Living
April 21, 2026 · 9 min read
This epic journey is over—or maybe the real one is only just beginning.
I realize now that it was so much more than galivanting around the world. More than the sum of all the adventures—unforgettable in both beautiful and painful ways.
It was, above all, a journey back to myself. One I could never have imagined, not even in my wildest dreams.
I am no longer the person who started this adventure on July 23, 2025. The lessons I’ve gathered along the way have shaped a new version of me—someone who now lives even more unapologetically, fully, and truthfully. Genuine, raw, and unpolished.
My tolerance for anything that feels off, forced, or fake has dropped to almost zero—and that might surprise a few people.
What comes next? It’s going to be big. Life-altering.
When Something Feels Off—But You Can’t Explain Why
Have you ever felt like you were in the wrong place? Like something was off, but you couldn’t quite explain why?
I’ve felt that countless times. But I brushed it off, carried on, tried to make sense of it. Maybe I was the problem—that I was overthinking, imagining things.
Until one morning in March 2025.
I had just started planning my long journey when it hit me—like a freight train. During my morning practice, deep in meditation, a realization surfaced with absolute clarity:
I had been living in the wrong country my entire life.
The energy never fully aligned. I wasn’t soaring the way I knew I could. And in that moment, my mind was crystal clear—something had to change. It wasn’t a thought. It was a knowing.
And with it came an immediate sense of freedom.
Raised in Switzerland, But Never Truly at Home
I was born in Toronto, Canada—the only child of Swiss parents. That gave me dual citizenship right from the start. Not a bad entry into life, especially with two highly sought-after passports.
I knew early on how fortunate I was. My parents never had the opportunity to become Canadian citizens themselves—something they both often regretted.
When I was just one year old, my parents decided to return to Switzerland. Partly because of my grandparents visiting after my birth, but also due to job instability in Canada. Switzerland offered more security—especially with a child.
I grew up in a protected, loving environment. My parents were supportive in every way. Home was wherever they were. Even when I moved back to Toronto in the mid-90s for over two years, our bond remained strong.
By the time I was six, my mom had already gotten me my Canadian passport. Long before I ever applied for the sleek red Swiss one. That blue passport made me feel special. Back then, I had no idea how many doors it would one day open.
I had a life there—but I never truly felt like home.
Underneath it all, there was always this quiet sense that I had been shaped by more than one place.
Too Much, Too Different, Too Real
And that’s where the tension began.
Like so many things in Switzerland, public schooling was structured, efficient, and of high quality. And once my family was financially stable, we began traveling—around Europe and back to Canada regularly.
That’s when the seed was planted. The curiosity. The love for the world. But at the same time, I struggled.
I was too outspoken, too assertive, too strong-minded to fit into the rather reserved Swiss culture. My openness often wasn’t welcome. I questioned things. I spoke up. I had a deep sense of justice—and I acted on it. Outside my home, the rule-oriented system felt suffocating. My free spirit was caged.
I was never the quiet one hiding in the corner. But I wasn’t truly seen or heard either. And that did something to me.
I was pulled in two directions: be myself, or become someone who fits in.
I always felt like the pink zebra.
Yes, it builds strength and resilience—but that’s not what you’re looking for when you’re young. What you really want is to belong.
No matter where I lived in Switzerland, I never quite fit in. I connected easily with people—but building deep, meaningful relationships was difficult. From the outside, it may have looked different, but most connections stayed on the surface. And superficial connections don’t nourish the soul.
I’ve always enjoyed my own company. But like any human being I also crave depth, exchange, real connection. Too often, interactions felt one-sided—I gave a lot, and received very little in return.
Enlightenment On the Yoga Mat
That morning on the yoga mat set something in motion—something far bigger than I could grasp in that moment.
It wasn’t just a thought. It was a deep, undeniable knowing.
I had to leave. Not just metaphorically, but physically. I had to get off the mountain—where I had built my life—and go somewhere my energy could finally expand. Somewhere I could live up to my full potential—with freedom, joy, and a sense of lightness I had been missing for so long.
Growing up, I often asked my mom, “Why did we come back to Switzerland?”
Even though I understand their reasons today, the question never really left me. There was always this quiet curiosity—this what if—about the life I could have lived in Canada.
And then it hit me. I don’t have to wonder anymore. I can go. In that moment, something shifted. The idea didn’t feel distant or unrealistic—it felt obvious. Almost overdue.
I realized I was ready for a major life change. Not someday. Now.
Where do I truly belong?
Who do I feel at ease with?
Where can I fully be myself—without holding back?
Like everyone else, I need a place where I feel safe. Where I can exhale. Where I feel at home. Finding my people—my tribe—is no longer optional.
And this time, I’m not making excuses. My mental well-being matters.
When Everything Started Aligning
Around that time, a friend mentioned location-based astrology (see notes).
Curious as always, I gave it a try. I created a profile, entered my birth data—and within seconds, a map appeared. Lines stretching across the world, starting in Toronto and branching out like a firework.
Canada stood out immediately. And then one city caught my eye: Winnipeg. Not because of the map—but because of Jenna, my very dear friend living there.
That’s when things started to click into place. As I looked deeper into it, everything felt… surprisingly aligned. A vibrant cultural scene, nature right at your doorstep, a cost of living that felt almost unreal compared to Switzerland. And an openness—not just in the landscape, but also in the way people are.
But if I’m honest—that wasn’t what convinced me. It was the feeling. A quiet sense of this could be it.
The map didn’t make the decision for me. It simply confirmed what I was already beginning to feel. And just like that, my mind was made up.
I’m moving to Winnipeg.
When I told Jenna, her reaction said it all. That mix of excitement, joy, and pure warmth—it felt like being welcomed home before I had even arrived.
And maybe that’s when I knew… This wasn’t just a plan. This was something real.
Home, Without Trying
Of course, I wanted to feel Winnipeg for myself. So I planned a visit during the Canadian leg of my journey (read the full Canada Travel Update).
After ten days in October 2025—right at the beginning—I already knew: I would be back. Not just for a visit, but to truly arrive. And I did.Earlier than expected.
Getting bitten by a venomous snake wasn’t exactly part of the plan—but life clearly had its own timeline (read “Bitten in Paradise—How One Moment Changed Everything“). Suddenly, I found myself returning to Winnipeg in the middle of winter.
“Winterpeg,” as they call it. Jenna chuckled and said, “If you still like it here after this, you’ll love it.” She was right.
I stayed for six weeks. Long enough to go beyond first impressions. Long enough to feel. And something shifted.
It was easy to connect with people. Conversations flowed. There was warmth—real warmth—despite the freezing temperatures. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like the pink zebra trying to explain itself.
I just was. And that was enough.
But if I’m being honest—what truly made me fall for Winnipeg wasn’t just the city. It was Jenna. Her presence. Her consistency. Her way of showing up—not only in the light moments, but especially when things got hard.
She became my North Star throughout this journey. And maybe that’s what home really is. Not a place. But people who meet you where you are—and stay.
I’m Not Playing Small Anymore
Now I’m back in Switzerland. Recharging. Reflecting. And at the same time, already in motion. Because this decision? It’s happening. The plan is to be in Winnipeg latest by the end of October.
Yes, there’s a lot to take care of—selling my flat, sorting through my life, letting go of what no longer belongs, organizing the move, saying goodbye. But those are just logistics. The real decision has already been made.
And interestingly enough—throughout this entire journey, with all the doubts and questions I had… There was one thing I never once questioned: Moving to Winnipeg.
Is it scary? Yes. But when something feels this right, there’s no real alternative.
You move. You trust. You go.
I’ve changed my life before—more than once. But this time feels different. Not forced. Not reactive. Not driven by escape. This time, it feels aligned. Because I’m not running away from something. I’m moving toward myself.
I’ve fully stepped into being the pink zebra. And for the first time, I don’t just accept it—I love it. No more trying to fit into spaces that were never meant for me. No more shrinking.
I trust that I will find my people. My place. My rhythm. In the country where my life once began…
I’m finally coming home.
Notes:
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