Mckenzie Poirier Who??
Who is Mckenzie Poirier
Hey, welcome back to my blog. I’d like to dive a little deeper into who I am, what my life looks like and how I got here.
I am a 25 year old teenager stuck on this big floating rock and I am determined to enjoy every minute I get to spend here. Now if you’re unfamiliar with the term “25 year old teenager”, imagine being in an adult body, living an adult life, having to pay bills, go to work, etc etc but feeling like you’re a teenager who shouldn’t be allowed to make big life decisions. If you can relate to feeling like this, then let’s pretend we know what we’re doing together! #fakeittilyoumakeit
Now back to my life, I am a Canadian living in the UK on a working holiday visa, a Youth Mobility Scheme visa to be specific. My goal in this season of my life is to experience as much as I can, check off places on my bucket list and make lasting friendships and memories. I moved here on a bit of a whim, during my... lets call it “Quarter Life Crisis”, and I can honestly say, it was the best decision I have made.
How it all started
The whole idea of moving away all started when Hailey, my friend/roommate one day said, “I think i’m going to move to the UK, you should come!” Long story short, I hummed and hawed if it was something I could make work, and I quickly realized that I would regret it if I didn’t go. Next thing I knew, I was applying for a visa and packing up my life. I said the hard goodbyes to all my favourite people and a quick few months later, I found myself in the small town of Hereford, England with Hailey (Canadian roommate became UK flatmate).
Now for those of you from Canada who do not know where or what this city called Hereford is, I would compare it to the Abbotsford, BC of England, but with about half the population. And if you don’t know what Abbotsford is, picture a farmy town where you run into people you know everywhere. How I ended up in this particular city is a question for another time. I spent about 7 months living in Hereford and as small and quiet as it was, I made some amazing friendships and great memories. It will forever be a place I got to call home and I am thankful and so blessed for all that it gave to me.
Want VS Need
Growing up I was always super fortunate to have everything I needed, wanted and then some. Even when I moved out on my own I always made sure to “treat myself”. I had a good paying job, I worked hard and if I wanted or needed something, I would just go and buy it (within reason). Moving across the world, knowing nobody and working a minimum wage paying has job really changed the game for me. It’s been humbling to say the least. Hailey and I spent a lot of time arguing about wants and needs, for example “a cheese grater is a luxury and we don’t NEED one..” WRONG! Hails, you were right, we did need one. I learned that some things are worth “splurging” on (cheese grater, more than one pot and pan, etc) and other things are nice to have but not necessary (air fryer, 8+ pairs of trainers, etc). I’ve learned to appreciate all that I have and how privileged I truly am.
Pro Tip #1 - Prepare to be HUMBLED
The rest of my time in Hereford was spent trying the local cuisine (beans on toast is not for me), making and meeting friends at the pub quiz and coffee shops, working at a family run cafe, hitting new PR’s at the gym and travelling around the UK and Europe.
Pro tip #2 - Move to a small town in a foreign country.
If you like attention as much as I do, this is the best thing to do. People are intrigued and enthralled at the idea of having a foreigner around. Everyone wants to get to know you, you are hard to forget and it’s always a laugh making fun of each others accents and weird ways of living.
The past month
Currently, I find myself residing in Brighton, England. a lovely and lively city by the sea. Hailey and I “broke up” and I moved away. I didn’t make this decision lightly as I knew I will have to pave my own way in a big city, without the comfort of a familiar face and a friend to always have around. Hailey was a blessing who God placed in my life for a reason, and now someone I get to call a friend forever, even though she forced me to move across the world with her. ;)
I chose to move to Brighton because 1) I needed a bigger citer with more going on, 2 )I’ve always dreamed of living near the sea and 3) I wanted to be closer to London and a bigger airport.
It has been one month and so far, I’M LOVING IT! Life by the sea fills me with peace and joy. I’ve found a job at lovely takeaway cafe (with a sea view), I live in a flat with a nice new flatmate (and a sea view), I found a church to attend and I just signed up at a gym (puregym.. reluctantly). This new start for me has been exciting, scary and new but so fun! I cannot wait to share more of the memories i’m going to create.
Thanks for reading the WellnessWanderlust blog. Stay tuned for more about travel, food and fitness. I promise there will be less about me next time and more about literally anything else. ;)
Over and out.