The Quiet Strengths of Rural Living

Ashleigh Gold
Aug 4
4 min read

I've lived most of my life in larger communities, so I would never claim to be an expert on rural living. But through my work as a counsellor, I've had the privilege of supporting clients from Northern, rural, and remote communities across Western Canada. I've also spent extended time in places like Pemberton and the Sunshine Coast, and over the years I've found myself increasingly drawn to smaller communities.

What I hear repeatedly from clients, and what I've noticed myself when spending time in smaller towns, is that there often seems to be a different pace to life.

The skies feel bigger.

People wave at each other.

Neighbours notice when someone hasn't been around for a while.

Community events matter.

There can be a stronger sense that people are looking out for one another.

As my own children get closer to graduating high school, I find myself daydreaming about one day retiring somewhere in the Kootenays. Part of the appeal is certainly the scenery, but part of it is also the feeling that life might move at a slightly different pace, one that leaves a little more room for connection, community, and the things that matter most.

Of course, every community is different, and rural living comes with its own unique challenges. But there are also strengths that deserve recognition, particularly when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.

The Strength of Community

While every community is different, many of my clients who live in smaller towns describe a strong sense of belonging and connection.

People know their neighbours.

Community members often rally around one another during difficult times.

Friends, coworkers, coaches, and neighbours frequently wear multiple hats in each other's lives.

In a world where loneliness and disconnection are increasingly common, that sense of community can be incredibly protective.

Research consistently shows that meaningful social connection supports both physical and mental health. Feeling seen, known, and supported matters.

Many rural communities create opportunities for those connections to happen naturally.

Nature Has a Way of Slowing Us Down

Many rural and remote communities offer something that can be harder to find in larger cities: daily access to nature.

Whether it's fishing before work, walking a trail after dinner, gardening, skiing, hiking, sitting around a campfire, or simply watching a sunset, time outdoors often becomes part of everyday life rather than something reserved for weekends or vacations.

As a counsellor, I frequently talk with clients about nervous system regulation and stress management. Nature is one of the simplest and most accessible supports we have.

Fresh air, natural light, movement, and quieter surroundings can help create moments of calm in otherwise busy lives. In fact, I recently wrote about how small, intentional changes such as spending time outdoors, moving our bodies, and creating moments of rest can help support emotional wellbeing and nervous system regulation in my blog, How to Reset Your Nervous System This Summer

When I spend time in smaller communities, this is often one of the first things I notice. People seem to have more opportunities to connect with the natural world as part of their everyday routines, and there is something deeply grounding about that.

Resilience Is Part of Rural Living

Life in rural and Northern communities often requires a certain amount of adaptability.

Weather changes plans.

Road conditions affect travel.

Resources may be limited.

People learn to be resourceful because they often need to be.

That resilience can be a tremendous strength.

Many of my clients from rural and remote communities have an incredible ability to adapt, problem-solve, and persevere through challenges.

At the same time, resilience does not mean people never struggle.

Many people become skilled at carrying heavy loads without talking about them. They manage demanding jobs, caregiving responsibilities, financial pressures, relationship challenges, and long winters while continuing to show up for their families and communities.

Being resilient is important. So is having support when life becomes overwhelming.

The Other Side of Small Town Living

While rural communities offer many benefits, they can also bring unique challenges.

Privacy can sometimes feel limited.

Distance can make accessing services more difficult.

Long winters and geographic isolation can contribute to loneliness for some people.

In smaller communities, people often know one another through multiple connections. The person coaching your child's hockey team may also be your neighbour, coworker, or cousin.

Many of my clients describe appreciating the closeness of their communities while also recognizing that there can be times when anonymity and privacy feel harder to find.

Like any lifestyle, rural living comes with both strengths and challenges.

What Rural Life Teaches Us

One of the lessons I keep coming back to when I spend time in smaller communities is that wellbeing is often built through relatively simple things.

Connection.

Nature.

Community.

Purpose.

Time spent with people who matter.

Moments of quiet.

A slower pace when life allows for it.

These things are not exclusive to rural living, of course. They can be cultivated almost anywhere.

But small towns often seem to make them a little easier to notice.

Perhaps that's why so many people feel drawn to them.

Not because life is perfect there, but because they offer reminders of what matters most.

A Final Thought

Whether you live in a large city, a small town, or somewhere in between, many of the ingredients that support wellbeing remain the same.

Making time for connection, spending time outdoors, slowing down when possible, and reaching out for support when needed are all ways of caring for ourselves and the people around us.

And if you're anything like me, you may occasionally find yourself dreaming about a little cabin, a mountain view, and a future somewhere in the Kootenays.