7 things Toronto convinced me were normal until I moved away (now I know better)

I grew up in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), so I'll always have a soft spot for Ontario and all of its quirks.

When I moved to Vancouver Island in B.C. a decade ago, it brought big lifestyle changes I didn't see coming — most of them great.

Looking back, I miss a lot about Ontario.

It's where I spent most of my life, and it shaped who I am.

But there are things I'll straight up admit I don't miss at all, and it took leaving to realize Ontario gets some of them wrong.

Don't take this as hate toward the GTA — consider it constructive criticism from someone who genuinely loves the place.

The glorification of being busy In Toronto, being busy isn't just a lifestyle; it's a personality.

Commuting to and from work, eight- to ten-hour shifts, going out on evenings and weekends, plus groceries, workout classes and all the errands that never seem to get done.

I remember people wearing their packed schedules like a badge of honour.

The busier you were, the more you were winning.

I get it; I used to be that person.

But moving to an island changes your perspective, even if I fought it for a long time.

Slowing down brings a real sense of calm, and I didn't realize how much I needed it until I experienced it.

I have a toddler now, so I'm always running around regardless, but at least it's not the city causing it.