In Search of Greener Horizons: A Personal Tale
The phrase “the grass is greener on the other side“
underscores a common habit of idealizing what we lack while dismissing the value of what we have. True fulfillment is not achieved by endlessly chasing after something better; it is found in actively cultivating your current circumstances, recognizing opportunities, and boldly exploring new possibilities. The essential point is striking a balance: appreciate your present situation while remaining open to growth and change.
If someone leaves for greener pastures, or in British English pastures new, they leave their job, home, or situation for something they think will be much better.
My dad had a transferable job, so my family and I traveled within India to wherever he was transferred for work. We experienced many new beginnings, such as a new society, schools, friends, and teachers. Despite the changes,
I had an excellent experience. After completing my post-graduation in English Literature from Bengaluru, I took my first job as a school teacher in a government-aided school at 23.
My dream was to become either a journalist or an editor. I stumbled upon an advertisement for an on-the-job training program for an editor’s position at Macmillan. I promptly applied and landed the job.
My dad had a transferable job,so my family and I traveled within India to wherever he was transferred for work. We experienced many new beginnings, such as a new society, schools, friends, and teachers. Despite the changes,I had an excellent experience. After completing my post-graduation in English Literature from Bengaluru, I took my first job as a school teacher in a government-aided school at 23.
My dream was to become either a journalist or an editor. I stumbled upon an advertisement for an on-the-job training program for an editor’s position at Macmillan. I promptly applied and landed the job.
At 26, I married a man from Mumbai with big dreams and aspirations for a better future. Despite my husband’s frequent travel for work, we had children whom I had to raise mainly independently.
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In Search of Greener Horizons: A Personal Tale
We yearned to be together and enjoy family life.
So, in 2010, my husband applied for the Canadian Express Entry program to further his career and provide a permanent home for the family. We received our permanent residency visa in early 2013 and finally moved to Canada in July.
My hubby was a man full of dreams and ambition. He had always believed that life abroad was the key to success. Stories of people who had gone to foreign lands and built prosperous lives filled him with hope. “The grass is greener on the other side,” he exclaimed as we packed our bags to move to Canada for a better future. My hubby, who works in IT (SAP), quickly obtained a project and began working here in Canada.
At first, life felt exciting for me.
The clean streets, organized systems, and various opportunities made me believe that my hubby had made the right choice in moving here. However, reality soon set in. I struggled to find a job in my field. After a few months of job hunting, tailoring my resume to fit the local labor market, and becoming a member of the Editor’s Association, I realized that my education and over eight years of experience as an editor in Mumbai and Bengaluru (India) seemed to hold little value in Canada. People here often perceive that we Indians are not well-educated, and since English is not our first language, they assume we are ineffective communicators.
Upon arriving in Toronto, I enrolled in government-funded newcomer programs to learn how to adapt my skills and experience to the Canadian job market.
However, multiple employment counselors advised me to remove my master’s degree from my resume even though, ironically, this same degree had helped me gain additional points in the express entry program. They also suggested that I reduce the years of experience listed on my resume and remove all my editorial expertise to avoid appearing overqualified for the available positions.
Editors or editorial work didn’t appear in the job market list, as one of the counselors at the newcomer immigrant office showed me. Through the editor’s association, I learned that I would have to appear for one or all of the four editorial exams that took place once a year in November and that there was no guarantee I would get a job after passing the exam. It was suggested that I take up some entry-level jobs/internships, crawl up the corporate ladder, or volunteer for a year or two at some corporate company and wait to be absorbed by them. I felt deeply disrespected and demoralized.
Loneliness crept in. Back home, we enjoyed the comfort of family, friends, and familiar traditions. Here, everything felt distant and unfamiliar. Winters were harsh, and the cultural differences made us feel like outsiders. The kids wanted to return home and blamed me for not opposing my decision to move here. I had agreed to relocate only to create a family life together. Now, we began questioning that decision. “Was the grass greener here?” I wondered.
While browsing job postings on Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Monster, and Workopolis,
I found an ad for writers at Valnet Inc., an online website. I applied and started writing for them. Each 3000-word article I wrote for the website earned me only $30. The more views an article would receive, the higher the chances of earning more money. One could pay for more views, such as 0.05 cents per word. This was demoralizing because I prefer to earn things honestly through hard work and believe in strong work ethics.
Writing requires a peaceful and quiet space to gather your thoughts, but it was challenging as I cared for my young kids and their daily needs and studies. Hence, I could only write one article per week, as I focused on delivering high-quality content. I felt lost. We had dedicated years of our lives and a significant amount of money to obtain permanent residency in Canada. However, instead of securing a job in my field of study, I was depleting our daily savings to cover living expenses in Toronto. At the same time, my hubby was posted initially in Montreal and later in Calgary.
In 2016, I got a job as an Inventory Auditor at RGIS, where I was supposed to perform continuous accuracy checks of perpetual inventory stock for companies such as Shoppers Drug Mart, Michaels, L S Travel (Intl Airport Stores), SAIL Plein Air, Winners, BOUTIQUE LA VIE EN ROSE, Sally Beauty, Victoria Secret, Holt Renfrew, etc. I came across a supervisor who troubled me by making me run around the store to do my counting, thus bringing down my APH, and then would nag and insult me in front of many other employees. I come from a respectable family and approached this job with complete dedication, even though it didn’t suit me. Despite my efforts, I found myself struggling under a supervisor who acted as though he had authority over me simply because I was a fellow Indian. Unfortunately, I have encountered many fellow Indians who, after reaching a certain level of success, undergo a shift in attitude. Instead of being supportive and friendly toward their own fellow Indians, they become rude, overbearing, and authoritative and develop inflated egos. These individuals will do anything to climb the corporate ladder, even if it means stepping on their colleagues and people of origin to get ahead. After working here for almost seven months, I quit for medical reasons. I developed a spur in my left foot that worsened in cold weather, which eventually led to sciatica pain in my right thigh. I cursed myself and God for being in this country.
My last assignment as an inventory auditor was in August 2016 at a Canadian diamond store, Ben Moss Jewelers. The store manager asked me if I knew anyone interested in working there as a sales associate since most employees had quit after the owners filed for bankruptcy. They were planning to close all their stores across Canada within six months. Although I always felt that sales/selling was not my strong forte. I was apprehensive yet agreed to take the position if it seemed a good fit. I wanted to learn the nuances of being a successful salesman. After a few days, I submitted my resume despite being in pain and unable to stand or walk. The manager called me to join the team on August 16th.
My colleague at the store informed me on my last day that I should apply for Employment Benefits after losing my job. This was a new and intriguing concept for me. In Canada, employment benefits generally refer to government programs and employer-provided perks designed to support workers during employment or unemployment. To be eligible for these benefits, one must have worked a minimum number of hours. I was eligible, so I quickly applied for the benefits and began searching for new job openings as a Sales Associate. I believe this experience would enhance my chances of securing a good position.
I kept trying to find a job until November 2017 but with no success. The same month, I accompanied my hubby to an immigration center for some personal work, and I planned to meet a counselor there who would help find me a job. The counselor took my resume and advised me to attend an interview for an airport job opening the next day. The next day, I went there with my resume and was surprised to find that the hiring manager was my former manager from RGIS. She was equally surprised to see me. After interviewing me, she immediately asked me to come in for the joining formalities the next day at the airport based on my attitude and work ethic, which she had always respected. I completed the formalities, and the 23rd of November 2017 was my first day of work as a sales associate at one of the Relay Stores.
It was a different work culture,
with employees from various backgrounds and ethnicities, but soon, I found my footing. I got along well with every employee around me and genuinely enjoyed working my various shifts with different employees. We became one big family. Soon, I was advised to apply for a bookkeeper position at the same company. I submitted my application and went through the interview process. Being a quick learner with a photographic memory helped me secure the position. Now, I had a fixed schedule each day, and I got to work in a small room with a couple of other bookkeepers. There were six of us, and our manager, though strict, had a lovely soul, while our supervisor was a beautiful and intelligent woman.
I initially faced many challenges in this job, but I embraced it as a personal challenge. I had never been particularly interested in numbers or finances, which made it difficult. There were times I struggled and even cried. I often worked more hours than required because I could not meet the deadlines. I wanted to handle financial matters carefully, address shortfalls, and identify loopholes. Within a year, I became an expert and met the expectations of my mentors. I had the privilege of working with an outstanding team and found my firm footing there. My manager and team appreciated my efforts, and flourished as the best team.
My job involved carrying a large bag of money and paperwork collected from various stores. I needed to be in the office on time to count the cash, deposit it, and balance the accounts before leaving work at 2:30 p.m. I would get home by 4:30 or 5 p.m., take a quick nap, cook dinner, and spend quality time with my kids. I would help them with their homework or assignments and finally go to sleep sometime between midnight and 2 a.m.
This job didn’t come to me quickly; I faced my struggles. We were required to be at work by 6 a.m., but I had two young kids, and my hubby also had to go to work. My day started at 3 a.m. I would freshen up, prepare breakfast and lunch for the family, pack everyone’s tiffin, and place it where it was easily accessible. I would leave breakfast and a note for each family member to ensure they could access everything easily. After that, I would shower and rush out—regardless of the cold, rain, or heat—to catch the bus at 5:05 a.m. I would then change to another connecting bus to arrive at work by 6 a.m. I am trying to share a reality check about life’s struggles: nothing comes easy. I developed health issues with this kind of lifestyle.
I got used to my busy schedule and enjoyed the economic freedom it provided, allowing me to bring my family whatever little I could manage. There were many ups and downs, but we happily managed to sail through. We obtained our citizenship and gradually began to accept this country as our own, striving to be happy even in tough times. Then 2020 happened. I was laid off, my hubby had to work from home, and the kids studied from home, too. The owner of the house we lived in forced us to move out, and in this strict COVID restriction, we had to buy a house, which we soon started calling home.
After almost a year, I was called back to rejoin my work at the airport, but in a new position as a zone manager rather than a bookkeeper. The airport was dead due to many COVID restrictions, but life gradually returned to normal. Medical bills and other expenses mounted, and despite both of us working, we started going into debt to maintain our lifestyle here.
I worked with a couple of managers, and I had already carved a good rapport among 90% of the employees and got along with them. However, excessive complaining and blame games began. There is a saying: too many vessels make too much noise. Covid changed everything—people’s mindsets, mental frameworks, attitudes, and behaviors. Many were unwilling or unable to see the complete picture or the truth. There was a lack of patience to listen to others or to explore the facts. Discrimination, hatred, mental abuse, and internal conflicts were felt at my workplace and throughout the world around us.
A crucial point in my life arrived when my dad needed to undergo surgery, and my sister-in-law, who is a foreigner, was admitted to the hospital with typhoid. My mom is utterly dependent on others, which made it very challenging for my brother to manage everything. He was juggling the responsibilities of caring for them and various other issues. I was granted just two weeks off from work to return home and help. I flew to India, but unfortunately, I could not connect with the appropriate resources to apply for an extension of my leave. I was delayed by two days, which changed my work culture’s dynamics. I own my mistake, but it was not intentional. After returning, I worked for a few months but had to quit because it affected me deeply. My efforts, hard work, and work ethic were misunderstood. It was sad and disheartening, but I took it positively.
Perhaps God knew what was in store for me. My dad was diagnosed with cancer, and for most of 2023 and throughout February 2024, I dedicated my time to caring for my parents, especially my dad, alongside my brother. Unfortunately, in March 2024, my dad passed away. I don’t regret quitting because it allowed me to be with my family when we needed each other the most. Many people who seek greener pastures often cannot be with their loved ones back home during difficult times.
Since my return, I have been applying for job openings but have not had any luck. During the few months I was here in 2023, I had a few interviews but faced rejection for various reasons. This included feedback that I sounded too much like a manager for a sales associate position, appeared overly qualified, or lacked sufficient experience for an assistant managerial/supervisor role.
I believe that having references is essential for securing a job. However, I’m uncertain about who my references would be. People tend to keep their distance, engaging with others only out of necessity or for personal gain, and then withdraw when they no longer need anything from us.
I’ve also noticed a growing trend among companies that frequently post job opportunities. They often send out the same openings to candidates who have already applied, but many applicants do not receive any responses—not even a polite follow-up email acknowledging their application or providing an update on their status. I have been applying to TJX and Walmart since I arrived in Canada. I have submitted over 50 resumes and applications to each company, yet I consistently receive the same rejection letter. The message usually states that my resume is attractive, but they cannot proceed with my application now. They also mentioned that they would keep my resume in their job bank and encourage me to apply again. Some letters state, “At this time, we are pursuing other candidates whose skills and qualifications more closely match those required for this position.” My experience exceeds their skills and qualifications
My experience in Canada, particularly the five years I spent working at the airport, has been wasted and holds no value. While it’s challenging to prove ageism, it is very much present. Every job application asks for age. Although other third-world countries believe age is not considered a factor in Canada and the USA and that one can work even after retirement, it undeniably matters here.
Job seekers apply for positions to find work, support their families, pay bills, and fund their children’s education. As someone once wisely said, “We are all in this together, trying to impress strangers with bullet points about ourselves.” Deep down, I understand that a job doesn’t define me, but it hurts when I cannot provide for myself and share some of my hubby’s burdens for our family.
This country traps one in debt; I wonder how many struggle and survive.
Every place has its challenges, and no land is perfect.
The grass may look greener from a distance, but you often discover its challenges when you get closer. I have chased various dreams, believing they would bring me happiness, only to encounter new obstacles. Through this journey, I’ve realized that cultivating and nurturing my own space is more fulfilling than envying others or seeking perfection elsewhere. True contentment does not stem from where you are but rather from the attitude and care you bring to that place. Success, I have realized, is less about where you are and more about what you make of it.
