Talking to friends and family about life’s struggles can be uncomfortable and seeing a therapist is expensive.
However, Paul Jenkinson is neither.
The retired social worker from Nova Scotia is in Prince George until Sunday as part of a two-year cross-country tour that has so far spanned 37,000 kilometres, is providing no-cost listening for anyone who wants to stop by and chat.
Jenkinson set up his table and two chair outside the entrance of Exploration Place today (Thursday) and is back tomorrow (Friday) before wrapping up his visit at the downtown Farmers Market on Saturday.
In an interview with Vista Radio, Jenkinson said he’ll have to head back to Atlantic Canada to complete journey.
“I have been in 70 communities. I have been in every province except Newfoundland (and Labrador) so I can’t call this a cross-Canada tour until I kiss the cod and take a nip of screech and get welcomed into Newfoundland.”
Jenkinson mentioned he’s been told some interesting stories during his first-ever trip to the northern capital.
“There was a young couple and something was going on by one of the trees and then they came over and seemed clearly happy. I asked if they had a story and they said oh yea, we just got engaged and you are the first person we are telling.”
Jenkinson is on his way to the Arctic Ocean up through Tumbler Ridge and Dawson Creek before ending up in Tuktoyaktuk.
“I am either going to take a plunge or put my foot in the Arctic Ocean,” he joked.
The 72-year-old believes with people always on the go and too connected to their cell phones and electronic devices, sitting down and having a relaxing conversation with no barriers has become a bit of a lost art form.
“You and I are healthiest when we are connected to each other. Social anxiety and social isolation is a big problem. That came with COVID and its also come with electronic monitoring, like we are all in a bubble and we can become very polarized like you are this, I am that, let’s have a fight.”
“When I listen to people, it draws them out of social anxiety, draws them out of the bubble and it also says that I actually want to get to know not just your position but are you a dad, running to hockey practice, did you get no sleep last night. If I am going to love my neighbour, I have to know my neighbour.”
Jenkinson adds social isolation can be especially daunting for seniors who are often overlooked and undervalued in today’s society.
“A 70-year-old man can become invisible. Just an old man sitting out there and I have two degrees, 40 years of experience, a lot of life, I’ve had death and destruction in my life as well as many things to be joyful for, so I thought I would just give back.”
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