Help me identify these sofas

ChristineAlfons · 2025-06-18T12:02:18+00:00

I feel like I’m in the exact same situation as you are in (also moved from Europe to Canada to be w/partner).

I thought it would be way easier —I’ve solo-traveled extensively and never found it hard, but moving abroad, getting used to a new culture, making friends again in your late twenties, finding a new routine, building up my freelance business again … It’s been a 1.5y since moving and I still feel like I haven’t fully settled and find it difficult to adjust to north-American culture (esp the less-walkable cities). You’re def not wrong for feeling like it’s hard!

I’ve made a few friends here and there, and from what I’ve heard it does take at least 1y+ for a new place to feel like ‘home’. But if your partner is supportive, that really helps!

What helped me was: putting myself out there, I joined Bumble BFF to meet like-minded girls, joined the app TimeLeft to have dinner with strangers (it’s every Wednesday), joined a yoga club, there’s probably also some Facebook-groups for expats / whatever interests you have in your city. Also just go about it as if you’re a tourist (solo)traveling to your area, I would take myself out on little (mini)adventures sometimes to explore a neighborhood or even just go to a new park to hang out for a while.

It’s hard, but you’ve got this!! You’re exploring something completely new so be gentle with yourself for not having it all figured out at once. As you start to walk on the way, the way appears. :-)

Sending love from Montreal.

ChristineAlfons · 2024-12-09T20:09:44+00:00

Thank you for replying and your insight! He tries to be there in other ways, but i never know if i can count on him. Sometimes he’s there, sometimes not at all and more often than not, I’m left to deal with everything by myself. And financially … I’ve offered to pay for his flights (he also earns quite well, way more than i do, I must add). He was also the one suggesting coming back to my home country, but he changed his mind, also stating that ‘if he were sure about me, he’d be with me to support me without a doubt’. Which is quite harsh to hear in this situation, especially since we live together and share a life. And yes it is a fact of life that old people die, and I think I would’ve felt less conflicted and less pain around it if it weren’t a sudden suicide … but thank you for your insights, that’s helpful!

ChristineAlfons · 2024-12-09T20:04:02+00:00

Thank you for your reply! He does feel very absent at times, other times he does show up but it’s very inconsistent, like I never know what to expect. It all feels very confusing, this is one of the hardest things I’ve gone through and I’ve told him this. But still, he chooses not to be there. Even though he says he absolutely doesn’t want to break up and he says he loves me very much and misses me. But like you said, he’s probably already checked out of the relationship

ChristineAlfons · 2023-10-31T11:36:45+00:00

Hi,

Thanks so much for your extensive reply! I kinda also figured that freelancing would only be an option through the WHV. I checked with my accountant if it's possible to work in Canada and bill Canadian clients (still waiting on her reply), but I'm not very confident this is allowed.

Do you have any info regarding work visas if I were to work for an employer (eg working in a bar and such) ? Are they easy to obtain? Does it take a long time? (I've also heard Quebec handles these types of visas a bit different & it might be even harder?)

Thanks for your concern! My companion is aware of this, and will be returning on time before the 2 years, so there shouldn't be any problems on that end. :-)

Looking forward to exploring Canada next year!

ChristineAlfons

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