Passionate about finance, David Desjardins worked on Bay Street, in Toronto, before leaving everything to live in the wood, 100 km north of Lake Saint-Jean. For three years, he has lived in a yurt where he learned nature day by day.
“I picked myself up on Bay Street, in Toronto, I was 20 years old. I worked for various investment funds. I was a financial analyst, ”said the wooden runner who is now 30 years old.
Originally from Dolbeau-Mistassini, he studied at UQAC, obtained CFA and Caia certifications to practice in his field, before putting an end to all of this in 2022, after six years working in the Queen city in a competitive environment where the performance culture is omnipresent.
In the young age, David Desjardins, from Dolbeau-Mistassini, became a financial analyst in Toronto. Photo taken from David Desjardins Facebook
Photo taken from Facebook, David Desjardins
“In the eyes of people, I had everything to be happy. I was successful, I was making a good salary. But inside me, I didn’t feel well. ”
Krach boursier
“This is where I started thinking about going to live in the wood, making a return to simplicity. In Toronto, I worked with wealthy people. I saw the exuberance at a certain level, but I wanted to come back to the base of things. It had become that, the most important. ”
The trigger was the COVVI-19 pandemic, when the world’s stock markets have experienced a brutal and fast crash.
“I came across the story of Henry David Thoreau, Waldenwhich was published in 1854. This book changed my life. He too decided to go and live in the forest and he documents his experience. ”
“My parents thought I had gone mad when I told them my intention,” he adds.
The living environment of David Desjardins 100 km north of Lac Saint-Jean. Photo taken from David Desjardins Facebook
Photo taken from Facebook, David Desjardins
“My father and my brother are manual people who know how to do everything, but they did not understand because I had no experience. I had never touched tools in my life! They were worried about me. “
Mental force required
“After three years, I am well installed, but at the start, it was extremely difficult. This is the challenge of my life, if you want. I see the comments today, people say: “Wow! A dream life!” But before that, it was extremely difficult. There are times when I didn’t think I would get there. The first winter, when it is -40 ° C and you are all alone in the wood … it is the mind that embarks. You are left to yourself. I would say that the mind is the most important. ”
Even if he has chosen a way of life in nature, David does not necessarily flee society or human contact.
“I am still someone sociable,” he shared.
David Desjardins, 30, made the choice to live in the forest after having experienced the excitement of Toronto, where he worked as a financial analyst. Photo taken from David Desjardins Facebook
Photo taken from Facebook, David Desjardins
Besides, three weeks ago, he started broadcasting videos of his daily life on social networks, attracting more and more views.
“I go to town when an opportunity arises. Last month, I had the marriage of a friend, for example. When I go to the city, I also go to the grocery store to buy basic foodstuffs as well as fruits and vegetables. ”
“In addition, I have my greenhouse and what fruit trees offer me. I receive a lot of food as a gift also from fishermen and hunters who pass around. ”
Live in simplicity
Last winter, he spent 10 weeks without going to town. Next winter, its goal is to spend the whole season in wood.
His days are organized around the essentials: cutting wood, fishing, maintaining your yurt and reading on different subjects that fascinate it.
“I live in the present moment. This is what the forest taught me. I am filled. “
Accustomed to living with little, last July, his expenses amounted to $ 164.97 for the whole month.