Chronicle 2020

PROFILES

Prioritizing me-time

J I LL BENNETT 1970 By Lexi Ensor 2013

Growing up in Toronto and working at her mom and dad’s flower shop on Eglinton Avenue, Jill Bennett saw first-hand the hard work and dedication required to run a business. Jill also witnessed her mother taking time out of her hectic schedule to be present for her kids, tending to family and friendships, and treating herself to some much needed ‘me-time’ – a manicure or salon visit – when she needed a break. Jill has always been an avid outdoorswoman, whether it was at camp, working as a cross country ski instructor or instructing Outward Bound courses. After meeting her husband and moving to Alberta with him and his four dogs, Jill and her husband decided to pursue happiness through a lifestyle that they enjoyed. They merged his love of dogs with Jill’s love of cross-country skiing, opening a skijoring business (skiing behind a dog!), then a dogsledding business, and ultimately landing in Rocky Mountain House, about 75 km west of Red Deer, Alberta. With a B&B offering dogsledding in the winter and voyageur canoeing in the summer, Jill ran her business and homeschooled her two kids. “I’ve never taken a salary from it – I always ran the business for the fun and enjoyment that it brought me.” Jill worked extremely hard and with purpose to run the business, enjoy life, and spend time with family. In 2003, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and forced to close the voyageur portion of the business. Although Jill had always thoroughly enjoyed her life, she realized during her recovery

that she hadn’t been taking enough time for herself. Between the dogs, her business, and her family, she had a hectic and atypical schedule that made ‘me time’ extremely difficult. After her recovery, Jill decided to make more time for herself, as her mother had done when she ran her flower business years ago. To maintain happiness and a focus on herself, Jill has identified five keys to achieving balance and happiness in her life: working with the dogs; staying active; making time for herself, whether it’s a massage, a pedicure, a trip or taking a course; prioritizing physical and mental wellness by seeking support and opportunities for continuous learning; and maintaining old friendships and connections, especially with a group of friends from her graduating class at Havergal. Not only has Jill learned how to take care of herself through these five key areas, but she has also learned that advocating for yourself – being in charge of your own wellness – is key to maintaining balance in life. Jill will continue to work with her 17 dogs until they can’t run anymore. Looking toward retirement, Jill is exploring options that will help to maintain a real balance and support her well-being. She has found a beautiful lot on a lake in the Slocan Valley, B.C., where she and her husband will be downsizing and building an environmentally friendly home. Jill will volunteer, take advantage of a trail bordering the property where she can ski and hike, and spend her retirement focusing on happiness and wellness, doing things that she loves.

PHOTO: NINA HEYDER

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