Chapter 2: Light, Darkness, Work, and the Life I Built
Only one of the natural beauties in the Yukon Territory
Welcome back! There’s something about the Yukon that stays with you long after you leave — the light, the dark, the cold, the people, the way life feels both rugged and magical at the same time. In this chapter, I’m taking you back to those early days when everything was new, surprising, and a little wild. From midnight sun to –45° adventures to finding my footing in a brand‑new job, here’s how the North began to shape me in ways I never expected.
Whenever I talk about living in the Yukon, people always ask the same two things:
“How did you handle the weather and extreme daylight and darkness?” and
“Where did you work up there?”
Let’s start with the light — because that surprised me the most.
When I arrived in September, I had already experienced the Yukon summer. Honestly, the endless daylight was harder to adjust to than the winter darkness. I remember lying in bed at midnight, needing to be up early, while the sun still shone straight through my window. My brain was convinced it was still afternoon. “What do you mean it’s bedtime?!”
As winter approached, I expected the darkness to be difficult… but it really was not what you might expect. I was working 12‑hour shifts, which helped, but more than that, everything was new and exciting. My days off were spent exploring, discovering, and soaking it all in.
I will never forget one night when my sons and I decided to go for a very short drive while it was –45°C. There was something about that kind of cold that called to me — almost daring me to experience what it really felt like to exist in such an extreme temperature.
We prepared like we were heading out on an expedition: blankets, gloves, candles, a flashlight, and a thermos of hot chocolate, and a large bag of Cheetos too. And then… away we went.
WHAT A FEELING. Of course, it was pitch black so this made it oddly spooky, and oh so silent — the kind of silence that feels alive — yet absolutely exhilarating. The air didn’t just sting; it crackled. Even the inside of the vehicle felt different, like the cold was pressing in from every direction.
It didn’t take long for all three of us to agree that this was not something we needed to make a habit of. It was definitely on the edge of reckless — maybe even dangerous — especially as it was totally unnecessary, however we were so glad we did it. It was one of those strange, unforgettable Yukon moments that stays with you forever. To this day, I feel the goosebumps , as if it happened yesterday.
So yes, the Yukon tested me with its cold and surprised me with its light… but it was my work there that truly rooted me.
Living and working in the North definitely has its perks — especially the financial ones. When I arrived in Whitehorse, I landed a wonderful government job at a newly opened long‑term care home. The wages alone far exceeded anything I had ever earned before, and with that came several financial benefits I hadn’t even expected. (I’ll share more about those in another chapter.)
But before I get ahead of myself, let me back up, just a wee bit.
This job felt almost unbelievable to me. I truly felt like I had hit the jackpot! Not only was I finally earning the best money I’d ever made, and I was doing work I genuinely loved, but I also felt supported and appreciated in a way I hadn’t experienced elsewhere. There were more staff, better teamwork, and a sense that we were all in it together — a huge change from what I was used to.
I soon realized I’d be working 12‑hour shifts on a rotation of two days, two nights, then five days off, and I was nervous. It sounded intense. And it was. I had never worked 12‑hour shifts before, and switching from days to nights took a toll on my body — physically and mentally. Anyone who has worked those shifts knows exactly what I mean. To this day, my feet and hips still remind me of those long hours.
But even with the challenges, I was happy. I was finally in a place where I felt settled, supported, and financially stable. My son was thriving — making friends, staying busy, and genuinely seeming happy — and that made all the difference. I had already met some incredible people, many of whom are still in my life today. It felt like everything was falling into place in a way I hadn’t expected.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but that eerie, exhilarating night was a hint of what was coming. The Yukon had more surprises waiting for me — some beautiful, some challenging, all unforgettable.
In my next chapter, I’ll tell you about the unexpected financial surprises that came with northern life — the allowances, the support, and the opportunities that helped us build stability in a way I never imagined.
Until next time,
Darlene
