When the pandemic hit, it wiped my work calendar clean. Conferences and events were canceled, and initially, there was no need for our graphic recording services—at least until everything transitioned to Zoom. I had been with ThinkLink Graphics (TLG) for six years, and while I cherished working with my TLG team, I had always dreamed of moving to Squamish, BC. With my schedule suddenly wide open, my partner Zohar, our pup Flo, and I decided to drive across the country to start the west coast chapter of ThinkLink Graphics.
I had my hesitations about moving out west. I was sad to leave my TLG team, unsure if I’d be stepping on the toes of graphic recorders already working in BC, and concerned about market saturation. Additionally, I felt a pang of sadness at leaving behind the clients and community members in Ontario with whom I had built trust and strong relationships.
Now, after living in Squamish, BC. for several years, I can confidently say it was the right decision. I connect with my TLG teammates daily via Slack or Zoom, and I feel just as, if not more, connected with them than when I lived in Toronto. We plan retreats, collaborate closely on projects, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. That bond remains strong.
The BC graphic recording community welcomed me with open arms. I couldn’t have felt more accepted and celebrated as a new transplant to this province.
Though I still feel a twinge of sadness thinking about the communities I no longer work with in Ontario, our ThinkLink team has expanded. We now have wonderful, skilled, and empathetic graphic recorders who have stepped in to fill my place. Plus, I’ve formed new and enriching relationships here in BC.
In the end, moving to the west coast was a leap of faith that paid off in ways I could never have imagined. I love my job, love the people I work with, and spend all my spare time frolicking in the mountains.
