My Freelance Journey

India

Thanks to a life filled with travel, I had always romanticized setting off with a backpack and a one-way ticket. I set off on that dream adventure in December of 2018 with my partner Luke. I had six years of work in the film industry under my belt, starting as an intern at Sanders Armstrong Caserta in Santa Monica and eventually becoming the Script Development Coordinator at Drive Films. We had just shot The New Romantic in northern Ontario and I was brimming with creative energy.

India embraced us with chaos and colour. We spent six months exploring different corners of the country and no matter where we went, we were welcomed warmly. Our six-month adventure took us from the Taj Mahal to the shores of Varanasi. We scootered between Goa’s vibrant beaches, trekked into the remote wilds of Ladakh, and climbed the boulders of Hampi. The deeper I settled into this new rhythm, the clearer my thoughts became. I needed a different balance between my passions and career. New dreams surfaced slowly, between bumpy bus rides and cups of steaming chai.

Slovenia

India sparked a phase of exploration and experimentation that continues today. As our time in India reach an end, we were weary backpackers seeking a place to balance work and place. Within a two-week period, we chose to move to Ljubljana, Slovenia. Neither of us had been there before; neither of us was certain of how to pronounce Ljubljana. But were drawn to the promise of its Eastern European charm, as well as its proximity to mountains and myriad travel destinations. 

We launched our freelance careers the week we arrived, navigating uncharted territory in more ways than one. Continuing with my experience from Drive Films, I began writing, editing, and providing coverage for screenplays through contacts in my network and UpWork. I also began working on English-language scripts and subtitles with local production companies. I also started to blog and built a portfolio of travel pieces writing for Mapped. I worked from coffee shops overlooking cobbled streets and bustling squares; I learned how to order coffee in Slovene; slowly and steadily, I became a freelancer. 

And when we weren’t working, we were exploring. Ljubljana itself is a historic capital straddling the banks of a gentle river; though relatively tiny, it’s a vibrant and walkable city with bustling markets, cafes that sprawl onto cobbled streets, and musicians on every corner. We also ventured into the mountains, climbed the limestone cliffs of the Adriatic, toured Slovenia’s wine region, and summited Mount Triglav. Ljubjana also made a great launching point for car and train excursions to Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Portugal

When our year in Slovenia drew to a close, we became house sitters in the Portuguese countryside. Our temporary home was nestled in the hills above a tiny town, overlooking a pond of flamingos. In fact, there were crown cranes, hyacinth macaws, and ostriches on the premises, owned by a British bird conservationist. Under our care were nine dogs and two cats, each with their own spunky personality.

Aside from our house sitting duties to care for the dogs and cats and water plants, we continued to freelance. We enjoyed the solitude, the cacophony of birds at sunset, and the abundance of time. As we reflected on our nearly two years abroad during this three-month stint, new ideas about home and lifestyle emerged. 

The Kootenays

We have since returned to Canada and found a place to call our own. We now live and work from a cozy apartment overlooking the Rockies. With nature on our doorstep, we’ve nicknamed our place ‘Base Camp’. It’s the perfect place for us to freelance, reconnect with mountain life, and map our next adventure.