But First, An Immigrant’s Story
I moved from Bulgaria to the United States in 2002 and have called the Washington, DC area home for over twenty years. My career path has taken me through three very different industries—hospitality management, IT, and language teaching. On the outside, it might look like a story of adaptability and growth. On the inside, it’s been a story of resilience through hardship.
Health Battles That Changed Everything
Life threw me curveball after curveball. I went through two divorces, multiple kidney stone surgeries, and years of struggling with a fibroid caused by a doctor’s mistake. That one medical error spiraled into severe anemia. I couldn’t walk on my own, often relying on a walker or wheelchair. Eventually, I became bedridden for three years. During that time, the weight piled on. Pain and isolation turned into deep depression. For years, I wondered if I would ever get back to simply living again.
A Turning Point
In the summer of 2024, I finally had a successful fibroid surgery. Recovery was slow, but with the right vitamins and minerals, my strength began to return. I could walk again, even though knee pain, obesity, and shortness of breath made every small distance feel like a marathon. By January 2025, I was approved for Mounjaro. The progress has been gradual, but it’s progress nonetheless. Bariatric surgery is another option I’m seriously considering, because I know how much it can improve people’s quality of life. One way or another, I’m committed to reclaiming my health.
Career Shifts and New Directions
Health struggles weren’t my only challenge. The uncertainty of government contracting pushed me to search for other ways to earn an income. Teaching Bulgarian gave me joy, but the opportunities were too limited. That’s when I turned to online content creation, not just as a side hustle, but as a path toward financial independence. For me, creating online is about more than making money. It’s about sharing my story, connecting with others, and proving to myself (and hopefully to you) that reinvention is possible at any stage of life.
Finding Strength in Faith and Reflection
Through all of this, I’ve leaned on prayer, meditation, affirmations, and quiet self-reflection. These practices remind me daily that setbacks don’t define who we are. They shape us, yes, but they also point us toward new beginnings.
An Invitation to You
I know I’m not the only one navigating health struggles, financial uncertainty, or the feeling of starting over in midlife. If you’ve ever felt stuck, weighed down, or lost, I want you to know: you are not alone. This blog isn’t just my story. It’s an invitation for you to breathe, reflect, and see what’s still possible, even when life feels impossible. I’m not here to preach or pretend I have it all figured out. I’m just walking my own path, slowly and honestly, and sharing what I learn along the way.
If you’re rebuilding your health, your finances, your confidence, or your identity, I hope something here helps you feel less alone. I hope it gives you a moment of clarity, or comfort, or courage. And if you’re standing at the edge of your own turning point, unsure of what comes next, let me say this:
Starting over is hard.
Staying stuck is harder.
But taking one small step at a time is how everything changes.
Here’s to your next chapter.
May it be gentler, wiser, and built with intention.
