If you’re after an unforgettable weekend, let me tell you—Nova Scotia should be top of the list. And if you’re lucky enough to have fabulous friends to bring along for the ride, you’re in for an adventure you won’t soon forget! My recent trip to this stunning province with my incredible group of girlfriends had it all: laughter, tears, and just the right amount of chaos. And guess what? I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe one thing—but more on that later.
First Time in Nova Scotia: Love at First Sight
This was my first trip to Nova Scotia, and let me just say—wow! It’s every bit as stunning as you’ve heard. With its rugged coastline, quaint little towns, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, it felt like I’d stepped into a postcard. We were buzzing to explore, and let’s be honest—there’s no better way to see a new place than with your tribe by your side.
But, oh no, this wasn’t just any ordinary girls’ weekend. Nope. Life threw a few curveballs my way, and this time, keeping my cool was a challenge. Normally, I’m the queen of handling stress. Flights cancelled? No problem. Lost luggage? We’ll figure it out. But when you live with glaucoma and your vision is compromised, small hiccups can feel like monumental roadblocks.
A Pool Mishap, Because Why Not?
We landed on Saturday, had a fabulous lunch, and I found a gorgeous consignment shop next to the pub where I scored some stunning dresses. That definitely brought a smile. Then we drove to our friend’s home, which—let me tell you—was nothing short of a private resort.
Now, I adore swimming. Always have. The pool is my happy place. But on this trip, even the pool decided to test me. We’re hanging out by the water, and I fancied a swim. The water was warm, and as I slipped in, things went sideways. I felt light-headed, dizzy, and nauseous. When I started swimming, I couldn’t catch my breath and genuinely thought I was about to sink. Drowning wasn’t exactly on my weekend agenda!
To say I was freaked out is an understatement. I’ve never felt so out of control in the water, and it shook me to my core.
Looking back, it was probably the combination of missing my meds and the emotional stress I’ve been under recently. But at the time? Absolutely terrifying.
The Forgotten Meds Fiasco
Just as I thought I’d forgotten how to swim, my brain threw another curveball. In my rush to pack, I completely forgot something crucial—my meds. And we’re not talking about a minor inconvenience here. These are my antidepressants
—the ones that help me function like a semi-sane human amidst life’s delightful chaos. You know, divorce, lawyers, being a mum, and, oh, the ever-glorious menopause. (Yes, that roller coaster.)
I didn’t realise immediately what skipping a few doses would do, but my body was quick to inform me. Within a day, I felt nauseous, lost my appetite, and according to my roomie, I was shouting and screaming in my sleep. Nightmares? Check. I was officially spiralling!
The next morning, I woke up feeling like I’d been run over by a lorry. After a much-needed cuppa, I mentioned I might turn into a hormonal, weepy mess because—surprise!—I forgot my meds. And here’s where it gets brilliant: my friend, Dr. S (yes, an actual doctor!), quickly pieced it all together. She immediately recognised that my symptoms—nausea, dizziness—were classic side effects of missing my medication. She suggested I call my pharmacy back in Ontario to sort out a temporary prescription, or else I’d be feeling worse by the trip’s end.
Bless her soul for that advice. After a few phone calls and some back-and-forth, a local pharmacist renewed my prescription. It took about 24 hours to feel normal again, but honestly, it felt like the Universe had my back. Crisis averted… again!
A Cancelled Flight and a Mini Meltdown
Picture this: after a day exploring Halifax, we’re on our way to the airport when the dreaded announcement comes—our flight’s been cancelled. Now, I’m not one to lose my cool over things like this—an extra day with my girls sounds like a bonus! But while sorting out new flight arrangements, things took a turn.
In the middle of a crucial call with customer service—bam! My phone slipped off my lap and onto the car floor. For most people, this is no big deal. Just pick it up, right? But with my vision, I couldn’t see where it had landed. My heart raced, and a wave of helplessness washed over me. I needed that phone to confirm our flight. Time was ticking.
Cue the frustration. Normally, I don’t get rattled, but this was different. Tears prickled the back of my eyes. How could something so simple make me feel so powerless? Enter anger and shame, and I was teetering on the edge of a full-blown meltdown.
But here’s the thing about having amazing friends—they always have your back. One of my girls swooped in, hero-style, and handed me my phone with a smile. Crisis averted. And guess what? I’d already received the email about the flight changes. All that panic for a simple “Yes, I got the email.”
Who knew a dropped phone could cause such drama?
Seafood Heaven in Nova Scotia
Now let’s talk about one of my favourite parts of this trip—the seafood. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with seafood, and Nova Scotia? It did not disappoint. Lobster, clams, oysters, mussels, fish & chips—you name it, I devoured it. And oh my goodness, I was in absolute heaven! Every meal was an oceanic celebration, and I could have spent the entire trip indulging, which I practically did!
There’s just something about being by the sea, savouring fresh lobster with the salty breeze in your hair, that makes you feel alive. Nova Scotia knows how to do seafood, and as a certified seafood addict, I was living my best life. Every bite was sheer perfection, and honestly, I thought—maybe this is where I’m meant to be.
The Call of the Ocean
I’ve always dreamt of living near the ocean. There’s something about the waves and endless horizon that feels like home. This trip reignited that dream in a big way. Standing by the shore, listening to the waves crash against the rocks, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. It was like the Universe was whispering, “This is where you belong.”
Now, I don’t make rash decisions, but this trip has made me think. Maybe the challenges I faced were the Universe’s way of shaking me up, making me pay attention, and reminding me there’s a whole world out there waiting.
Sometimes life gives you exactly what you need, even if you don’t realise it at first. And this trip? It just might be one of those moments.
My Friends’ Home: Nature’s Resort
Calling my friend’s place a “home” almost feels like an understatement. It’s more like a private resort tucked away in nature, and it’s absolutely breathtaking. We’re talking a gorgeous saltwater pool, a hot tub, all surrounded by lush forest. Birds singing, crickets chirping—it was a complete sensory reset for the soul. Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed.
Being there reminded me just how important it is to reconnect with nature. Whether it’s a walk in the woods or sitting outside to listen to the sounds of life, it works wonders on your stress levels. I tell everyone: Get outside! Let nature work its magic! You’ll thank me when those happy hormones start kicking in.
One of the sweetest moments was watching hummingbirds zip around the feeder. Our friend warned us about one little guy the “bully hummingbird” because he kept dive-bombing the others, trying to hog the feeder all to himself. It was fun to watch and who knew hummingbirds had such cheeky personalities?
And then there was Millie, the family’s beautiful Basset Hound. Such a gentle soul—I fell in love with her instantly. There’s just something about animals that makes everything better, isn’t there?
Memories
We created a wonderful memory, affectionately dubbed "Friends Hugs." They say a hug has the power to heal and transform everything around us. With every embrace, we not only got a boost from the oxytocin hormone, which makes us feel happy and connected, but also experience a delightful surge of dopamine—the “feel good” hormone that eases stress, enhances our mood, and elevates our self-esteem.
The project was simple yet profound: we each chose our favourite paint colour and smeared it onto our palms. Then, we set off on a colourful hugging spree, making sure no one was left out. “Have I hugged you yet?” was the question of the day as we went around, spreading joy and paint. It was an incredibly bonding experience for all involved. For the two girls who couldn’t join us on this trip, we made sure they didn’t miss out by creating a special t-shirt for them. It was our way of sharing this beautiful, colourful moment, ensuring that they were part of our joyous, paint-splattered celebration.
Now every time we wear the t-shirt we will instantly be taken back to the beautiful warm wonderful hugs we shared and it's bound to make us happy with big smiles on our faces!
Firelight, Laughter, and Nature’s Magic
Evenings were spent around the fire, with the crackling logs setting the perfect stage for endless laughter, singing, and even a bit of dancing under the stars. I showed off some Bhangra moves and it felt so wonderful dancing bare feet on the dewy grass.
There are no words to describe the magic of sitting by a fire, hearing the trees rustle, smelling the rich earth, and gazing up at the sky full of twinkling stars. It does something to your soul. Pure magic.
This trip may have thrown me a few curveballs, but it also gave me more than I could have imagined. From the beauty of nature to the comfort of friendship, I left this weekend feeling like I’d hit the reset button on life.
By the end of the trip, I was feeling more like myself, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for the people in my life. This girls' weekend didn’t go exactly as planned, but it was still perfect in its own chaotic way. From flight cancellations to forgotten meds, to panic attacks in the pool, I was reminded of one very important thing: the Universe, and my friends, always have my back.
So, here’s to more adventures, more laughter, more seafood, and yes, even more curveballs. Because with the right people by your side, you can handle anything. Even if that means finding your phone on the floor of the car or dreaming of a life by the sea!
