A Journey of Soul: Rooted In Love, Growing Through Change
A story about returning to myself through love, loss, and the quiet shifts that change everything.
After attending the ecstatic dance festival in Amsterdam, I found myself drawn to a concert on the other side of the city. The evening began with Prayer of the Mothers and unfolded into Women of the World Unite, a movement that has traveled across borders through the voice of Yael Deckelbaum — an Israeli-Canadian singer, songwriter, and activist.
During an interview, someone asked her:
“ Can you give us some insight into when this big idea of uniting women around the world began? ”
Her answer stayed with me:
It was never an idea. It’s more like something in my DNA — it’s beyond an idea.
I had spiritual experiences, spiritual awakenings. What I really connected to in that moment was something higher, something I felt deeply. And then I knew “ I needed to go out and make peace.”
That response made me pause. It reminded me of a question I often ask myself:
“ What big change did you make to transform your life? ”
For me, the answer circles back to three words: mindset, experience, and self-belief.
Finding Peace In The Philippines
A retreat in the Philippines became a quiet turning point where the sea, silence, and slow mornings helped me return to myself.
Have you ever had something happen repeatedly in your life, as if the universe was trying to tell you something?
It’s a clear sign that it’s something you truly desire.
I had a wonderful retreat in Italy, but my first retreat was in the Philippines, exploring places like Cebu City, Bohol, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Nacpan Beach, El Nido, Coron, and Manila.
What the Philippines is known for are its “Desert Islands” — countless small, uninhabited islands and atolls, some with little vegetation. We spent 16 days traveling among these islands, making it the longest trip I have ever lived on a boat. I spent so much time snorkeling and diving that I felt like I was still underwater even when I was sleeping!
A retreat is a powerful opportunity for deep soul-searching.
I never knew I was such a crazy, courageous, and adventurous person until this trip. There’s nothing more exciting than playing, laughing, and sharing moments with amazing and inspiring people.
A retreat is truly a random adventure that brings unexpected joy.
10 Unforgettable Moments from My Retreat in the Philippines
Endless Adventures — Every moment was filled with fun, excitement, and incredible experiences.
Total Disconnection — Without my phone or laptop, I was free from distractions. Life became simple, peaceful, and truly present.
Strangers Turned Family — I met random strangers who became lifelong friends.
Dancing as a Soft Skill: How Movement Transforms Us
Movement teaches what words can’t. Through dance, we learn presence, resilience, and the quiet confidence that grows from within.
When we think of soft skills, we often list communication, adaptability, or emotional intelligence. Have you ever thought of dancing as one?
Dancing is more than a hobby — it’s a form of self-expression, a stress reliever, and a surprising teacher of soft skills like confidence, presence, flow, and collaboration.
Five years ago , I’ve fallen in love with dance. What started as a joyful escape quickly evolved into something deeper. It became a mirror, reflecting parts of myself I hadn’t seen before — like a bridge, connecting me with people across cultures and cities.
Through my travels in London, New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and Italy, I discovered.
How dance thrives in public spaces, where creativity and community pulse together.
Compared to my dance experiences in Asia, this felt like stepping into a new dimension one that expanded not only how I danced, but how I lived.
What dance taught me about soft skills:
Play with rhythm — adapt quickly and embrace spontaneity
Energize movement — express with clarity and confidence
Master technique with joy — stay grounded while flowing freely
Gentrification’s Impact on Georgia’s Communities
Gentrification is reshaping communities across Georgia, changing streets, stories, and the everyday lives of people who have called these places home.
For sustainable travel, we must ask :
Who is at the heart of a place?
What’s important or needed for Georgians?
I’ve walked through neighborhoods that once told stories of resilience only to see them transformed into rows of cafes, condos, and rising rents almost overnight.
Gentrification isn’t just about new coffee shops, boutiques, co-working places or luxury apartments. It’s about the slow erasure of communities, identities, and cultural roots. When property values rise and longtime residents are pushed out,
What remains of a city’s soul?
In 2021, I was lucky to live in Batumi, Georgia for a real estate project. I spent a year exploring Georgia’s old towns and countryside, rich in natural beauty, history, and human warmth. Batumi, like many growing cities, faces a delicate challenge.
To ensure stable development and national security, the country needs more resources, infrastructure, and international capital. I understand the rationale behind expanding the city, inviting developers, businesses, foreign investors, and more affluent residents. But this also comes with consequences:
Rising costs, housing pressures, and cultural shifts that threaten to displace the very communities that make Georgia so irreplaceable.
For many Georgians, these changes are a mix of hope and uncertainty. After all, they’ve lived under the shadow of Russian influence for decades.
Increased tourism, digital nomads, and global attention bring new opportunities and a chance for international recognition, biodiversity, and cultural exchange.
As a digital nomad who deeply values the spirit of community, I believe in
Protecting Cultural Spaces that tell the true story of a neighborhood.
During my time in Georgia, I had the privilege of connecting with people who are devoted to preserving their heritage
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A journal dedicated to community, humanity, and connection.
Through years of co-living and traveling, I collected stories of everyday people whose presence changed me not through romance, but through resonance.
This series is my way of honoring the human threads that quietly bind us together.
