Blog

Why I Offer Sliding Scale Coaching

June 20, 2021 by crystal

If you’re here, you might be looking into coaching. And if you’re looking into coaching, you’ve probably noticed that it’s not cheap. And let’s be honest, if you’re looking into coaching, you’re probably going through some big changes, meaning you might not have a steady paycheck right now or in the near future.

I have been through uncertainty and that is why I offer sliding scale coaching.

When I started coaching in 2013, I had left a well-paying but miserable job. I needed time to sort through my feelings and figure out what to do next. The following years involved lots of experimentation before I found steady footing again. Some workplaces that I had tested out included a pole dance fitness studio, a social housing provider, a national health nonprofit, and even a mixed martial arts event.

I also did a lot of unpaid volunteering to expand my network and skill set. I joined a global initiative to organize dinner parties for social change. I hosted a monthly support group for changemakers. I ran a meetup group for people looking to balance their careers and love life.

Even though my income was unstable during those years, I grew so much personally and professionally as I said goodbye to old thinking patterns and unhelpful behaviors. I dreamed of new possibilities and built nurturing communities around me. I didn’t do it alone though. On top of friends and family, I had the support of coaches and counsellors to help me navigate the changes in multiple aspects of my life.

Oh, and by the way, I got my coaching certification and started my private coaching practice through all that!

After all the experimentation, I came to understand a few things:

I love coaching.
I’ll be coaching for the rest of my life.
I won’t only be coaching for the rest of my life.

In short, I am a part-time coach with a full-time job.

My full-time job satisfies a lot of things I look for in a fulfilling career such as collaboration, digging into complex problems, and innovating strategic solutions. It also financially sustains me so that I can afford to offer sliding scale coaching on evenings and weekends to clients who may otherwise not be able to afford and benefit from coaching.

If you are going through uncertainty right now, and would like to see how career coaching or relocation coaching can help, please feel free to get in touch! 🤙 I’d love to see how I can support you.

Crystal Lee, CPCC is a certified professional coach who focuses on career and relocation topics. Her clients have relocated to new cities, landed dream jobs, started businesses, and successfully navigated major life transitions.

Donation-Based Coaching to Support India’s COVID Response

May 1, 2021 by crystal

Watching the devastating impact of COVID-19 in India is breaking my heart. That is why in the month of May 2021, I will be offering donation-based coaching with 100% of funds going to Canadian Red Cross’s India COVID-19 Response Appeal. Money raised will enable the Red Cross to support COVID-19 preparedness, response, and recovery activities in India.

What I’m offering

I will be offering up to six 1-hour private career coaching (or relocation coaching) sessions on a donation basis. My usual sliding scale is $50-120 but all donation amounts will be accepted. The times for these sessions will be on Saturdays or Sundays. Please fill out this form if you are interested in learning more.

What is coaching good for?

I’ve been coaching for 8 years now and my specialty is supporting people who are moving and/or changing jobs. Sample topics include:

Figuring out whether to make a move in your career or living situation
Re-establishing your career and sense of home after relocating
Building confidence to pursue your career and life goals

I have also supported over 100 newcomer women in building their careers in BC’s tech sector so I’m happy to provide practical guidance on resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, interviews, and other aspects of the job search. When you fill out the interest form, you can tell me more about what support you’re seeking.

Why I’m supporting India’s COVID response

My last international trip before the pandemic was to India. That trip was 15 years in the making, and when I finally went, I met wonderfully kind people, immersed in rich cultural history, soaked up beautiful rural landscapes, and devoured mouth-watering food. I had travelled there alone and toured with a small group. It was a trip that filled me up with joy and reminded me of all that life had to offer. When I came back, I made a big career move to be in greater alignment with my values and interests.

Since India had given me so much, I want to give back.

Update

We raised $300! 🎉 The funds have been donated to assist those impacted by COVID-19 in India so they can access medical care and resources to support long term recovery efforts. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this fundraiser!

In Canada, we are starting to open up thanks to a smooth rollout of vaccinations. However, it’s not as smooth of a process for many parts of the world. Please continue to be kind in your home community and consider spreading the love abroad as well.

Thank you for dropping by! Learn more about ways to support India.

How to Make Friends During a Pandemic

January 21, 2021 by crystal

Making friends as an adult is hard enough. Trying to make friends during a pandemic feels almost like an impossible task. However, rest assured that it IS possible!

Relocal community members bravely ventured out to meet new buddies in an era of physical distancing and returned with stories of success. The ideas below are collected from our research and experiments. We hope they will help you expand your social horizons while still keeping a safe bubble!

Prepare Yourself with an Attitude for Friendship

Before diving into where you can meet new people, let’s talk about the most important factor to making friends: your attitude.

Start with an open mind and open heart. Show up and give things a go, even if few interactions lead to long-lasting friendships. Let yourself enjoy activities along the way. Appreciate the loose acquaintances you will meet, including those whom you will never see again. Because on a strange pandemic day, you shared a moment with these people. And these brief moments of connection matter.

Where to Make Friends During a Pandemic

1) Professional Events

While you are sheltering at home, it’s a great time to invest in your professional development. If the pandemic hit your employment hard, now is the perfect opportunity to assess where you want to take your career next. Many professional learning opportunities, conferences, and networking events are now accessible online, and in many cases, for free or low cost.

At these events, you will encounter people who share your interests and professional aspirations. You have a natural conversation starter! Did someone’s intro grab your attention? Send them a message and ask for a follow-up virtual coffee date. Inspired by a speaker’s talk? Connect with them on LinkedIn and request an informational interview. Due to COVID-19’s impact on the economy, many people are eager to give back to the community right now by sharing career advice. Tap into this zeitgeist!

Resources:

E ventbrite is a great place to search for online events.
Coursera and Udemy offer a plethora of free upskilling opportunities.

2) Facebook Groups

Aside from being a tool to keep track of high school friends and how many kids they now have, Facebook is actually a great place to meet new people. Head over to Groups and you’ll find communities of people who are just as passionate as you about zero waste living, crafting, propagating succulents, or whatever else tickles your soul. Some groups are geographically based, therefore increasing the chance of an online connection extending offline.

With any group situation, it can be helpful to lurk and observe the culture of the group before deciding if it’s for you. When you’re ready, introduce yourself, comment on other people’s posts, and amp up your activity. Another tip for fulfilling engagement is to be helpful! Answer people’s questions, share resources, and spread kindness. We are in a pandemic after all, and a little kindness goes a long way.

Resources:

Buy Nothing Groups are places for neighbours to borrow, lend, and share. It’s a hyper local movement so it’s likely you’ll meet real-life friends!
Not a Facebook user? Meetup can be an alternative to find like-minded people in your area.

3) Volunteering

The pandemic has been especially tough for non-profits and community organizations serving vulnerable populations. Many are struggling to serve more people with less resources. So why not lend a helping hand by volunteering? Some volunteer opportunities such as mentoring or fundraising can even be done remotely. It’s likely you will meet good-natured people in the process, and good people tend to make good friends.

Two people carrying groceries from trunk of car

On a less formal basis, you could also volunteer to help out a neighbour by delivering groceries or tutoring their kids. If you have the skills to help a small business move online, that gesture can have huge ripple effects. Get creative with how you can share your skills, time, and talent!

Resources:

If you’re in Canada, Volunteer Canada and Charity Village are places where you can find volunteer opportunities.
Going back to Facebook Groups, one of the most effective ways to find a local volunteering opportunity is to post to a neighbourhood group.

4) Small Group Workshops

In order to adapt to the times, many small businesses are now offering online services. If you have always wanted to learn watercolour painting, see if a local art studio is teaching through Zoom. If you miss going to the gym, maybe you can join a virtual bootcamp with a local trainer. The more you show up, the more you will get to know your workshop host and fellow attendees. All the while, you are helping entrepreneurial service providers continue to make a living during an economically challenging time.

Resources:

Check out #buylocal hashtags (or versions of it) for your local area.
Relocal community friends Hey Shauna Art Therapy and It Just Flows Calligraphy both have online offerings.

Once you’ve made new connections, be sure to stay in touch and follow up! Friendships grow over time so keep showing up with an open mind and open heart.

Be Friends with Us!

The Relocal Community is a group of people who enjoy learning and creating special moments together. We like to move slowly and curiously, because we believe meaningful connections can’t be rushed. You can follow @relocal.ca on Instagram or subscribe to the Relocal newsletter to get details about our next gathering.

Crystal Lee, Relocation Life & Career Coach

Crystal Lee is a relocation life & career coach, community builder, and metaphor lover. As the founder of Relocal, Crystal currently promotes empowerment and community through delightful, do-it-yourself activities and group workshops. Her latest publication is a self-care activity book called Stay-At-Home Delight.

Bored at home? 7 Ways to Make Joy with What You Have at Home

January 10, 2021 by crystal

Are you feeling bored at home? Have you become a walking zombie from all the Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ you’re watching? Are you looking for new ways to spend your time?

We hear ya! At a recent Relocal virtual gathering, community members shared how the pandemic and accompanying increase in screen time has exhausted them. Turns out we’re all looking for simpler ways to enjoy time at home.

Based on crowdsourced data from community members, the theme of MAKING came out as a popular one. That probably makes sense (pun intended) since Relocal is about DIY delight.

Read on for 7 ways to make joy when you’re bored at home!

1) Make Food

Ah, food… The universal language of love! It’s also something we all need to stay alive, so naturally, it’s a great way to bring joy into our lives.

Live with others? Try cooking together! This is a great chance to empower each other with new food skills.
Live by yourself? Light a candle, put on some beautiful music, and treat yourself to a nice meal.
Pick a theme and plan a meal around it. (Ideas: a trip to Tuscany, dishes that start with the letter P, things that are served in tiny bowls, etc.)
Have a random ingredient laying around? Find a recipe specifically to use up that ingredient.
Have a stack of dusty cookbooks? Challenge yourself to try a recipe from your cookbooks each week.

2) Make Art

There’s something so satisfying about making something from nothing. Ultimate Joy Tip: focus on the process rather than the final product. Besides using more traditional media such as paints, pastels, and crayons, here are additional ideas that utilize items you may have at home.

Learn to make origami using pages from an old book.
Smudge plant matter (from your garden, refrigerator, or spice rack) on paper for a biodegradable painting.
Make new jewelry from old pieces, single earrings, stray beads, and other bits and bobs.
Cut up old pictures, magazines, and documents. Attach pieces together to make something new!

3) Make Music

Listening to music is satisfying but making music is a whole different level of joy. Don’t think you’re a musician? Just have fun! No one is listening.

Sing along to your favourite musical.
Make up your own words to a song.
Tap, shake, and bang on everyday objects to discover instruments in your midst! (Ideas: empty tins, celery drumsticks, pill bottle shaker, etc.)
Or learn an instrument for real. YouTube is full of lessons!

4) Make Friends

Friends don’t always have to be warm-blooded or two-legged. Here are some creative friendship ideas:

Make fur friends! Play with your pet, make them healthy treats, dress them up for a fun photo shoot, or just snuggle all day long.
Don’t have a pet? Look out your window to appreciate the wildlife in your neighbourhood. You might be surprised by the variety of animals (e.g. other people’s pets, birds, rodents, insects) you can spot. You can even put out a birdfeeder for a front row seat to nature’s spectacular show.
Make plant friends! Indoor plants have been shown to boost mood and productivity, improve air quality, and provide therapeutic benefits to caretakers.
Grow herbs or vegetables. It’s a great way to add freshness to your diet, get in sync with the seasons, and practice patience. Because if friendships are anything, aren’t they relationships that help you grow as person?
Make friends with the land. Did you know New Zealand’s Whanganui River is recognized as a living being with the rights of a person? Indigenous peoples around the world have recognized the sacredness of the physical environment for generations. Take a moment to connect with the air you breath, the water you consume, and the soil on which you live. They have always been your friends.
Or if you want to increase your human friend count, check out How to Make Friends During a Pandemic.

5) Make Memories

Memories help us connect with the past, make meaning of the present, and guide us into the future. Think about how you can appreciate special experiences in new ways.

Write down important stories (e.g. about your family history, your career journey, your travels, etc.). You can keep them private or share them. The choice is yours.
Review old photos and videos. When was the last time you looked at photos on your camera roll? Maybe it’s time to create a video montage for that amazing trip a while back. Or you’ll finally order prints of that beautiful picture you had taken. Enjoy cruising down memory lane!

6) Make Time

Somethings the best “making” is to make nothing at all. Keep it simple and enjoy.

Sit in your favourite chair.
Stand in a warm spot with your eyes closed.
Daydream.

7) Make Do

Joy comes from being present and finding contentment. Instead of chasing after more, it’s seeing the value of what you already have. The best thing is that making do saves money and is great for the environment!

Mend an article of clothing (e.g. reattach a button, patch a hole, seal a rip, etc.)
Remove a stain (e.g. from the sofa, carpet, clothes, etc.)
Fix something (e.g. squeaky joint, chipped paint, loose hinge, etc.).

It’s okay if you’re not sure how to start! You are resourceful, you can learn, and you can reach out to your community for help.

Make & Mend With Us!

To promote joy and community, Relocal will be hosting Make & Mend online meetups. These will be free, virtual, drop-in sessions where participants are invited to get to know each other as well as to work on their own projects. Visit the Community page to get details. You can also follow @relocal.ca on Instagram or subscribe to the Relocal newsletter for updates.

Keep Calm & Carry On with Joyful Stay-At-Home Activities for Adults

December 17, 2020 by crystal

Phew! What a year 2020 has been.

I know it hasn’t been easy to stay cooped up at home – surrounded by four walls and separated from loved ones. “Life has been disrupted” is an understatement.

Please know that your staying at home makes a difference to tackling the coronavirus pandemic. As a daughter of elderly and chronically ill parents, thank you for staying home and giving our healthcare teams the resources to support those most in need. Thank you for keeping yourself and others safe.

From my own self isolation in a shared 700-square-foot laneway house, I’ve had lots of time to think about life, the current state of the world, and what the future might hold. What could I possibly do to create a more hopeful world when I’m saddened by daily news, overwhelmed by work and chores, trying to maintain a healthy relationship in a tight space, and feeling generally blah?

As a public health nerd turned life coach, I gathered my musings into an approachable, interactive book, Stay-At-Home Delight: Activities for Adults to Nurture Joy, Calm, Courage & Connection.

My message is simple: Take small action, right at home.

Stay-At-Home Delight: Activity Book for Adults to Nurture Joy, Calm, Courage & Connection

I hope that the stay-at-home activities in this book will help you feel grounded. I hope you will learn new things about who you are and what you want. I hope you will be inspired to continue moving forward with confidence and meaningful action.

🎁 As a gift to you, please enjoy a free preview chapter, Activities to Nurture Joy. Enter your email below and it’ll arrive in your inbox shortly!

Join Our Community

The Relocal community is a group of like-minded people who enjoy learning and creating special moments together. While past gatherings have taken place in person, we are now meeting online to stay connected while apart. Over the next while, we will gather virtually to share meaningful conversations and fun activities together. Follow us on Instagram @relocal.ca to get the latest updates!

Q&A with Julie

August 26, 2019 by crystal

Where did you call home before Vancouver?

I’m originally from France. Before moving to Vancouver, I lived in the Champagne region of France, in the town of Epernay which is the self-proclaimed “Capitale du Champagne”… Champagne comes out of the tap in Epernay. No, I’m kidding, but I did drink it at least once a week! Every gathering is an occasion to drink Champagne in Epernay! I really learned to appreciate and enjoy it too, I found that not all Champagnes taste the same, they all have their specificity.

How long have you been in Vancouver?

I moved to Vancouver in April 2017, so I’ve been living here a little over 2 years now.

What drew you to Vancouver?

The weather, mild for Canada: the not-too-cold winters and not-too-hot summers, the myriad possibilities for outdoor activities with the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, the laid-back West Coast atmosphere, the fact that it’s an Anglophone city – I learned English at a young age while living in the US for several years and I wanted to practice English in a professional setting. The Green City Action Plan also attracted me because I work in sustainability and I thought there might be compelling job opportunities for me here.

What is your favourite thing about Vancouver, and why? (can be an activity, location, event, etc.)

Compared to where I come from, I find people for the most part very open-minded and accepting here. I find that overall, there is a lot more respect and tolerance than in France, it makes me feel safe and that I can just be myself on a day-to-day basis without fear of being judged. I am learning about all kinds of differences and it opened my mind that much more.

In the beginning, what got you to attend a Relocal event?

I met Crystal at a Social Impact Support Group event at the Hive (coworking space on West Hastings Street) and we have been friends ever since! I have kind of followed the making of Relocal since its inception, I believe I’m one of the early Relocal enthusiasts and participated in the very first outing.

What is the best thing you have gotten out of Relocal so far?

I love that the spirit of Relocal events is about fostering connections and sharing, it allows me to discover new neighbourhoods while meeting like-minded people and supporting local businesses. It’s those 3 things blended together: place-based, values-aligned and like-minded.

Not to mention Crystal is a wealth of great recommendations around the city! Relocal has definitely helped me feel better integrated in this foreign city.

What is one tip you have for someone who is new to Vancouver?

Not one tip but three: get out there, talk to people and be curious!