I finished school in late 2012 which, I realize now, was a long time ago.

A degree in marketing was something I chased out of a vague interest in the field. By the time I graduated it had consumed me. I woke up thinking about marketing, I fell asleep tweeting about marketing.

6 months later it was the last thing on my mind.

After a brief stint in office work, I sold everything I owned and set off to travel across Europe. People on their first Eurotrip won’t admit it, but “finding yourself” actually means “getting drunk and trying to get laid abroad.” It was a blast.

2 months into my trip I had found work and pushed my flights back.

When I finally returned to Canada I couldn’t find the rhythm of “normal life” again. But I hadn’t tried. I only spent a week trying to find a job. I got it stuck in my head that I wanted to be a ski bum. When I realized how boring shaking hands with people in suits was, I went to go work a winter in the mountains.

When the snow in the Rockies melted that spring I set out to build a life. I wanted to surround myself with the things that I wanted to do. Aware of and averse to the hard work and devotion it takes to be a professional snowboarder, I flew back to Europe. I was chasing the feeling I had the summer before.

Things were different the second time around. I was quick to decide I wouldn’t stick around for as long as last time.

I found myself desperate to start surfing, so I moved to a beach town in New Zealand. The next 3 years would see me chase surf, wild spaces, and snow around Asia and Australia.

I fell in love in Australia, and it was through my (now) ex that I found myself back in Europe for the 3rd time. My next move was to Dublin, Ireland.

I used my degree in Ireland for a few years, my previous aversion to office work lost on me. It’s not as bad as 21-year-old Kyle had thought it was.

Dublin was a lot of fun, but I spent as many of my weekends as I could outside of the city. I started to become frustrated with Dublins sprawling suburbs. Ireland, as beautiful as it is, was missing something crucial. I moved on, seeking snowier winters and taller mountains.

Currently, I’m living in Innsbruck, taking morning bike rides or ski laps on Austria’s behemoth mountains. I’m not sure when I’ll move on next. I’m excited for the next part of my journey but for now I’m stoked to be able to spend time in such a beautiful part of the world.