Future postal code.

Funny thing about making plans for the future, it can creep up on you unexpectedly.

Tanya and I had a plan. We were going to stay in Alberta a few more years, eventually downsize, and then move to Osoyoos, BC for warmer temperatures, new business opportunities, family and our healthspan, Oh. And a longer golf season. Then along came an opportunity.

A client, Rendezvous Resort, opened the door to a lifestyle and business opportunity that made us look at each other and say, “What exactly are we waiting for? We’re empty nesters!” So, we’ve decided to move. Not eventually. Soon.

We’re trading in our Bragg Creek lifestyle for a substantially smaller one in Osoyoos, BC because nothing says “new chapter” quite like discovering you own 2260 things you haven’t touched in decades. The purging process has been liberating to say the least. I’ve apparently been the curator of a museum dedicated to my past. Art portfolios. Gym equipment. Furniture. Music equipment. Tools. Stuff I bought because I was absolutely, positively going to use it someday. Well, those days have passed.

So, I’ve become a FB Marketplace entrepreneur. I’ve been having a blast writing humorous descriptions of things we’re selling. If I’m going to announce that I’m selling a good piece of furniture because it’s passed its “best before” date, I might as well make use of my skills.

And something wonderful has happened. People I’ve never met on FB Marketplace have started responding, not only because they want to buy something, but because they enjoyed the posts. Some have actually said, “I don’t want your stuff, but you made me laugh. Want to be Facebook friends?”

That makes me so happy.

I’ve always believed creativity isn’t simply about selling something. It’s about making people feel something. Curiosity. Emotion. Connection. Apparently, I can now add “making strangers laugh while trying to get rid of my possessions” to my creative resume.

Another important part of this move is that we’re not leaving our AB friends, clients and relationships behind. We’re just changing our postal code. The people we’ve met, worked and built relationships with will always be near and dear to us. Geography doesn’t erase relationships. If our AB friends or clients need us, we’re still here. Kate, my creative partner, who lives in Calgary, is still an integral part of the AdMaki package.

AdMaki isn’t retiring. It’s expanding. Our move to Osoyoos gives us the opportunity to explore new markets and creative possibilities while continuing to serve the people and businesses we’ve worked with in AB. It’s not an ending. It’s an expansion with a lakefront view. And we welcome you to visit.

At 65, I’m increasingly aware that great opportunities become fewer with age. So when something genuinely exciting comes along, perhaps the smartest thing to do is stop asking, “Is this the right time?” Maybe the better question is, “Why not now?”

As I mentioned, Osoyoos gives us many new possibilities (more acting roles perhaps?). The chance to reevaluate and reinvent. We’re downsizing our house but upsizing our lives. And I’ve learned that letting go of things can create room for things you never expected, including new friends who don’t want to buy your stuff but want to connect. And that’s a good trade.

Cheers, mark