Avoxtar 2.0

My name is Yanik Falardeau. I live in a little pink house in an enchanted forest deep in the heart of the Laurentians in Quebec, Canada with my 5 year old son Loïk, my wonderful husband Francis, our black lab Jack Spice and our two polydactyl calico’s Bonsai and Willow. Our life is now almost blissfully simple. But it wasn’t always so.

Had you met me 7 years ago, you would have known a smart, goal driven, ambitious, corporate ladder climbing but nice city girl who thought she would achieve happiness and fulfillment through her career in IT, a thick wallet and daily all you can eat sushi.

My world came crashing down 6 years ago when I had it all … and then realized I really had nothing I needed.

My boss owned me AND my time, my credit card debt was larger than my nest egg and I was on the verge of losing the love of my life because of the countless hours I was spending glued to my monitor. Although I loved my comfort zone, (and especially my team and co-workers) I really wasn’t very comfortable after all… in the grand scheme of things.

So, I quit.

And just like that, I began creating the life I really wanted. It’s been easy and it’s been complicated… I’ve occasionally made it hell (just to keep it interesting I guess) because most of the time, I feel as though I live in heaven on earth.

I’m now a full time mother, friend, wife, sister, artist, writer, blogger, photographer, and voice over artist and I prepare my own delicious sushi whenever I feel like it. I meditate under trees and I whisper positive words in the wind. I build bridges, I plant seeds and I listen and give my support. I motivate others and ignite the sparks of change. I get down often… but I get back up again. I believe that world peace begins with inner peace and I work at it every day. I care for the environment, I practice voluntary simplicity and I want to do business with companies who support fair trade and who think, like me, that “it’s personal… it’s not just business.”

I love going on FUN! Spontaneous adventures and most of the time, Loïk and I walk around the house with paint on our faces because housework is just more Fun! when you’re a superhero!

I’ve come to learn that the journey is much more important than the destination and so, I’m learning to breathe and just live in the moment. Being positive and staying on your path is a process… One year at a time, one month at a time, one week, one day and finally one thought at a time. As such, I’ve completely rejected “the five year plan.”My goal as I get up every morning is to make my life and my world better… today.

My hope is that as I build my own list of resources, you will find here; the links, the ideas, the FUN! the books, the music, the meditations, the visualizations, the sound bites, the motivation or the inspiration you need to either make the leap of faith, or to stay focused as you make your way on your own path. We need all the help we can get right? I know I do.

So welcome to Avoxtar, and happy trails!

Sending positive thoughts and energy to you,

Yanik