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Here you will see me and my sister headed to a fall festival a few years ago. This particular event wasn’t overly special, but we always have a good time together. We are very different people and didn’t always get along, but as we get older we have gotten much closer. My sister is a friend who completely understands everything I’ve gone through with our family, and me for her as well. We can discuss things going on in the family and be fully empathic since no one else understands it better. Good support in one's life is critical to success. I think everyone deserves a friend who is there for you like a sister.

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This is a screenshot from an Instagram story I saw last month during Pride. I thought the message was beautiful and I agreed with it wholeheartedly. My hope as a future social worker is that all LGBTQ+ people feel safe with me. To me, being an ally is being present, both physically and emotionally, to support someone.

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This silly photo is me and my best friends from high school. Although we lost one friend here due to personal differences, three of us are still very close. We have seen each other go through some tough times, but also some great successes. I have a hard time making close friends, but when I do, I know I can rely on them for anything. I think it is valuable that we all have such different interests and fields of work. Friends may not understand as well as someone in the same field, but they can provide an outside perspective and additional support.

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This was at the VCA C.A.R.E Centre in late 2021 with my dog, Marley. She had just turned 3, and it was a huge shock when I had heard from the vet she had a cancerous tumor. This was an extremely difficult time in my life. I had so many complex emotions, feeling hopeful but very anxious for her health and if I could afford treatment. She was my only company when I lived alone during COVID, and my best friend since I rescued her at 8 weeks old. After many tests, the results concluded the type of cancer as Histiocytic Sarcoma, a very rare and lethal type of cancer in dogs. Her second surgery was not successful at removing all the cancerous tissue, and we had to move on to palliative care. By March 2022, her condition was affecting her quality of life, and I knew it was her time to go. That was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make, and still hurts to this day. After her passing, I reached out to my doctor for mental health support. I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, and my reflections the past year have been that my mental health struggles have been around almost as long as I can remember. In a family where mental health was not talked about or acknowledged, I have developed my own truths and openness on the topic and advocate for others to do the same if they feel safe to do so. Life can be so hard and cruel, and I want to help ease some of that for others by encouraging mental health supports.

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After losing my heart dog Marley in early 2022, I turned to the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) to volunteer at the Pad 4 Paws shelter for some much needed dog time. Here you will see me holding a sweet new intake, Abby, after she was abused and then surrendered. ARF has become my safe space. It is one of my escapes from reality for a few hours, where you put in hard work but also have a great stress relief of puppy cuddles! I have grown so fond of all the dogs and fellow volunteers; it doesn’t feel like volunteering. ARF has become an important piece of my life and a form of my self-care, and no matter how stressed or busy I am, I will always make time to go.

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This photo was from one of me and my boyfriend’s first getaways when we started dating. We went for a hike in the mountains, followed by a weekend in Banff. This was significant for me because I was still healing from the loss of my dog and neither of us were looking for anything serious at the time. We continued dating into the fall and both agreed we make a great match. Previous to him, I was very adamant on being independent and not needing anyone to rely on. Through him I have become comfortable with opening up when I feel overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to. I appreciate both of our individuality and independence, but I can understand it can make all the difference having a partner who understands your struggles and welcomes them with open arms. Everyone deserves a safe space within someone else they can fully trust.

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After volunteering at ARF for 4 months, this sweet momma and her pups were rescued into ARF’s care. Over a few weeks, she had completely won me over. She was in such rough shape, very malnourished and so were her puppies. I ended up adopting her at the end of April 2023. The photo on the right was her recently. I’m so proud of how far she has come with her training and her health. There's something to learn from a rescue dog’s resiliency, it's truly inspiring and heartwarming. Rescuing an animal is incredibly special and quite literally saves a life. Daisy has also brought some more meaning into my life. Working with animals works wonders for my depression. When an animal is in my care, I make sure all their needs are met and it’s a reminder to take care of my needs as well.

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Here you will see me and my family at Christmas dinner last year. My entire life, we have always had the exact same Christmas tradition with my parents and siblings. Over the last few years we have added a few more faces to the mix, my sister’s boyfriend and my brother’s girlfriend. This last Christmas I invited my boyfriend as well. It’s comforting to have the consistency of the same old traditions, but also making room for more. Respecting old values but being welcoming to new traditions is valuable to me.

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Even though Christmas dinner is always with my immediate family, I enjoy starting new traditions with my boyfriend. This photo came from last year’s Christmas Eve, with just the two of us and his dog, Subie. I loved the intimate bonding of picking out the tree and decorating, as well as some baking. While I always enjoy the big get-togethers, I believe it is important to have one-on-ones with those most special to you. If you are hoping to spend your life with a single partner, that relationship needs time for bonding. They are the person you should be able to talk to about anything (other than your therapist!). I have full trust and confidence in my boyfriend, and we have great communication. We support each other and can talk through difficult conversations. This will be especially important as I navigate a new career and will experience new stressors.

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The song ‘Most Girls’ by Hailee Steinfeld is a feminist anthem, celebrating women’s differences and strengths. This song really speaks to me and reminds me the beauty and importance of women supporting each other. Whether a woman feels most confident in a short dress or sweatpants, it is valuable to encourage individuality and expression. I love the idea of empowering women to embrace their uniqueness and be proud of their passions. I believe true happiness is achieved through inner peace and self-love, which women especially struggle with.

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Here you will see me and my boyfriend in Old Quebec in February of this year. It was an important trip to me, because I was meeting his parents and other family members for the first time. Even across the country, I had a bit of culture shock at the differences between Alberta and Quebec. The small town he came from (where his grandparents and father still live) do not speak much English, if any. Sometimes, it is hard to make a good impression with someone when communication barriers are present, but it is still possible. Since this trip, I have been learning French to bridge the language barriers with his family. To me, it is important to make compromises to make that connection with people, and hopefully they are willing to work with you as well.

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This photo is me and my sister on a hike with our dad last year. Getting out in nature has always been of value to my family. My entire childhood was filled with summers hiking and camping in the rocky mountains. It is such a privilege to have them in our backyard! I really respect the Indigenous beliefs around nature, that it is to be respected and not taken for granted. It has such healing properties for spiritual health, and great for physical health as well. Even through stressful times in the social work field, I hope to continue venturing out into nature to revitalize and to aid in combating compassion fatigue.

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The link above to the infamous Barbie monologue by America Ferrera's character highlights the struggles many women face. In many ways, it feels impossible to meet society’s expectations of how to be a woman. When I saw the Barbie movie in theatres, many people (including me) teared up during this scene. The truth and weight of the scene hit hard. It is a constant struggle to learn to love yourself the way you are and not compare your appearance, success, wealth, relationships, etc. to other women. Sometimes we need the reminder that you will never please everyone, so you might as well live your life how you want and learn to tune out the societal pressures of being a perfect woman.