Who I am, really? Introducing myself
I've carved out this space to merge two of my deepest passions: yoga and writing. Words have always been my refuge, weaving through the melodies of music, the verses of poetry, the pages of fantasy novels, and the depths of philosophical essays. So, it only felt right to pen a blog piece introducing myself to you, dear reader, inviting you to become a part of my online community.
As you may already know, I'm Nadia, a soul navigating this human existence in the vessel of a 36-year-old woman, born near the sun-kissed shores of the Spanish Mediterranean. If there's one identity I embody above all, it's my Mediterranean spirit. Growing up in a mid-sized town I longed to escape, even at the tender age of 15, I crafted a perfect plan: study translation and interpreting to work online and wander the globe. Yet, life had its twists—I fell in and out of love, completed my translation studies, but veered sharply off course, finding myself in Italy studying fashion.
The reality was starkly different from my teenage dreams. For years, I struggled to fit into a hustle culture that I only partially embraced. I worked in Italy and Germany, yet despite outward appearances, my life didn't feel like the miracle I envisioned. Behind closed doors, I grappled with a myriad of challenges: body image struggles, a variety of mental health diagnoses that ultimately couldn't define the core of who I am, an unhealthy lifestyle, a reliance on antidepressants simply to function, and a pack of cigarettes a day to stoke the flames of my creative spirit. My life was a turbulent whirlwind, I only found joy in the escapism of travel.
Then came 2020, a year that felt like both a curse and a blessing. While my heart ached for the suffering humanity endured, I found unexpected solace in the solitude of my cozy Berlin apartment. Some days, I scarcely heard my own voice, yet I reveled in the serenity of my own company. With endless time at my disposal, I immersed myself in writing, devoured books, and savored each breath, allowing my imagination to soar with the possibilities that lay ahead. Once again, a child-like sense of hope enveloped me, igniting the belief that change was imminent and within my grasp. In the quiet confines of that apartment, I forged my own path, heedless of its erratic nature to others, determined to shape my life according to my desires.
One night, as I sat immersed in reflection, pondering the myriad of passions that stirred within me, my thoughts turned to veganism—a cause I once fiercely defended, now embraced with a peaceful resolve. Intrigued by health from an early age, I found myself inexplicably drawn to meditation and the intricacies of the chakras, as if this knowledge had been woven into the fabric of my being from another lifetime. Fueled by this inner calling, I embarked on my first yoga retreat in Greece. Energized by the experience, I delved deeper into holistic wellness, enrolling in the IIN Health Coaching program with an insatiable thirst for knowledge that had the power to transform lives. Concurrently, my passion for photography blossomed, but that tale deserves its own chapter in the narrative of my journey.
As time marched on, I found myself still entrenched in the world of fashion, albeit from the comfort of my home due to the pandemic, all while wrapping up my year-long health coach training. Then, like a beacon in the distance, another opportunity emerged, beckoning me away from the confines of fashion and into the realm of corporate life as a social media marketer. Seizing the moment, I accepted the position and meticulously carved out a month-long hiatus. It was during this hiatus that I made a pivotal decision—I enrolled in my first yoga teacher training, returning to the very place where my journey began: Greece.
Amidst the serene landscapes of Greece, I underwent a profound transformation. I opened myself up to new experiences, shed tears, softened my edges, and emerged as a reborn version of myself—the person I had always been destined to become. The rigorous routine of asanas, philosophy, meditation, and pranayama ignited a flame within me, infusing my heart and life with an unparalleled sense of joy. Nestled among the mountains and shores of the island of Amorgos, I found myself basking in the purest happiness I had ever known.
Returning to Berlin, my then place of residence, I felt an unmistakable sense of anticipation tinged with apprehension. I could sense that the foundations of my new job, my relationship, and my old way of life were on the verge of crumbling beneath me. True to my intuition, six months after that transformative training, I made the bold decision to resign from my job, and my relationship came to an end.
Despite the upheaval of losing key pillars in my life, there was a subtle shift in my sadness—a depth mingled with a newfound sense of vitality and gratitude for the rich tapestry of human emotions that weaves through our existence. After all, isn't that why we incarnate on this earthly plane? Amidst moments of reflection and honoring the past, a twist of fate unfolded. I stumbled upon a job opportunity as a communicator within the coaching industry, granting me the freedom to work remotely. Simultaneously, I started teaching yoga and capturing the world in all its splendor, weaving stories through the lens of my photography.
Indeed, life's journey is often fraught with uncertainty, yet amidst the twists and turns, I've discovered the beauty of solitude without loneliness. Embracing the unpredictability of this path has become my fertile ground for growth. I've learned to release the grip of control, seeking instead a delicate balance between shaping my destiny and surrendering to the flow of life's currents.
This journey has been a profound exploration of courage, with each step forward nurturing my inner strength and resilience. Confidence has blossomed as a natural byproduct of this process, but it's authenticity that I hold most dear. I've made a solemn vow to honor the essence of who I am, to remain true to the spirited 15-year-old with a backpack brimming with dreams. For in authenticity lies the truest expression of self, and it's this unwavering commitment that guides me forward into the unknown, with an open heart and boundless optimism.
