As a little girl, I was endlessly fascinated by human behavior, astrology, and was the observant kid who dreamt of having a psychology practice. Later, I realized that my interests were both a great escape from a chaotic childhood and a way of trying to understand.

As I got older, traumas left their marks, and I drifted away from my authentic self. I chose a marketing career that was excellent at masking the pain—and I became brilliant at hiding it. I had a well-paid job, traveled the world, worked with some of the most luxurious brands, and mingled with celebrities. Everything looked more than great on the outside, but inside I felt hollow.

After ten years of living unintentionally—fueled by late workdays, hormonal imbalances, suppressed feelings, and poor self-care—I hit rock bottom. I couldn’t fake it anymore. I was burnt out, sick, and completely disconnected from myself. Healing my traumas became the only way forward—to reconnect with who I truly am.

Our stories might not be the same, but there are threads we share—perhaps the feeling of being stuck or not good enough. A sense of not being yourself, or that life is rushing by and there’s more out there for you. Or maybe it’s a loneliness that lingers, a fear of being abandoned, a need to be in control, or the constant exhaustion that doesn’t dissipate no matter how much sleep you get. I could go on.

Many of the choices we make and the beliefs we hold don’t truly align with who we are—they’re strategies shaped by experiences and influences from our past. Even our most counterproductive habits can feel comfortable in the moment, but that doesn’t mean they represent who we were born to be. We’ve just become very good at repeating them.

If you’re still with me at this point, you’re probably ready to leave something behind.