PORTUGAL
A Journey Through Reflection and Transformation
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting deeply on my life and the decisions that have brought me to this moment. I’m no longer the girl I once was—I’ve grown into a woman in her own right. A woman who has decided to embody her true nature and allow it to be seen. A woman whose opinions and life choices matter. A woman who has embraced herself, her body, and her quirks, unapologetically.
This journey wasn’t easy. Just one year ago, I felt like a shadow of myself, cowering under the weight of expectations and desperately praying for a new life. I couldn’t see then how the pain I was enduring was quietly shaping the beauty of my existence. If someone had told me then that I’d be here today—having completed my first European solo trip, immersing myself in experiences I once only dreamed of, and standing tall as a bold, courageous woman—I would have laughed in disbelief.
But here I am, looking back at that version of me with compassion and gratitude. I’m in awe of what I’ve accomplished and how inner work has transformed my life.
Facing Criticism and Breaking Free
This transformation didn’t happen without resistance. Along the way, I faced a storm of criticism and judgment, words that still echo in my mind but now fuel my determination to live fiercely.
“You need to be practical with your life. Stop dreaming.”
“You’d be pretty if you just lost some weight.”
“You’re too fat.”
“You’re too thin.”
“Your happiness doesn’t matter. What are people going to think about you?”
“Who changes their career? Leaving from dentistry?”
“But you’re a doctor!”
“You’re too loud—be humble.”
Growing up, I internalized messages that told me how I should live, act, and even think. I was taught that a “proper woman” must be selfless, putting others’ needs before her own. She must seek approval before making decisions, smile even when she’s hurting, and always appear grateful, no matter how miserable she feels.
The rules were clear:
Shine, but not too much.
Be smart, but not smarter than others.
Be independent, but not too independent.
Dream, but only within reason.
Stand out, but not too much.
For years, I silenced myself. I swallowed my opinions, anger, and emotions. I ignored my inner voice, choosing to live according to others’ expectations instead of my own. The weight of this repression manifested physically and emotionally, leaving me disconnected from myself.
A Turning Point in Portugal
My trip to Portugal was a turning point—a culmination of the inner work I had been doing for years. In the vibrant streets of Porto, surrounded by history, beauty, and culture, I felt a profound awakening.
I began to embrace my true self: bold, sensuous, courageous, opinionated, fierce, intelligent—a divine feminine goddess. A woman who is unapologetically intoxicated by her own life.
I realized that I could no longer be boxed into anyone’s idea of who I should be. I had broken free of the confines of tradition and expectation. In Portugal, I allowed myself to live fully, to laugh deeply, and to revel in the joy of simply being me.
The Path to Wholeness
But transformation is not a single moment—it’s an ongoing journey. As I embraced this vibrant, bold version of myself, I also had to make peace with the parts of me that were still healing, still learning, and still growing.
This journey has been about integration. It’s about bringing together the woman I was with the woman I am becoming. The bold, sensuous woman I uncovered in Portugal now walks hand in hand with the part of me that is still tender, still finding her footing.
Growth is messy. It’s uncomfortable. It’s not linear. But it’s also beautiful. It’s in this dance between who I was, who I am, and who I am becoming that I find my power.
Becoming Unapologetically Me
This journey has taught me that I am worthy—not because of what I do or how I appear, but simply because I am. I am worthy of joy, of love, of success, and of living life on my own terms.
There is no going back to the girl who silenced herself to fit into a mold. Today, I stand as a woman who is unboxed, untamed, and unapologetically alive.
The road ahead is still unfolding, but I’m ready to meet each new chapter with courage and curiosity. This is the beauty of becoming: it’s not about perfection; it’s about wholeness.
Here’s to embracing every part of ourselves—the bold, the tender, the messy, and the beautiful—and living a life that feels truly, deeply, and unapologetically ours.
