How I Trusted My Intuition and Found Where I Belong in Split, Croatia
In Split, it feels different. I feel free in a way. I feel a part of something deeper, bigger, and honest. There are the little moments that are bigger moments for me when I think about it. In my seven months, I feel like I’ve made friends. Friendships where we spend time going for coffee, or paint nights, having sleepovers, or events at the National Theatre. I even had an offer to be picked up from the airport or bus terminal when I return to Split. It may not seem like a big deal, but it feels important to me because it feels like a community, having people now that I feel I could turn to, and hope they feel the same about me.
Healing Through Connection: Love’s Unexpected Role in Grief
He was everything I needed to feel again—a glimpse of light in the depths of my grief. He gave me laughter, hope, and the feeling of being needed. I am grateful for him, for showing me I can trust myself and choose my own needs, no longer allowing fear to control me.
Finding My Light: A Journey to Peace and Purpose in Croatia
Sitting seaside with the Adriatic glistening before me, I sip my coffee and take in the peaceful November warmth. It feels surreal that this is my life now—a life I’ve longed for, surrounded by the timeless beauty of Solta, Old Town Split, and the Biokovo mountains. Little by little, I’ve shed what no longer serves me, learning to trust myself and embrace the present. My therapist recently remarked on my happiness, a stark contrast to when I first arrived, burdened by sadness. Today, I know that surviving my past has made me resilient; starting over is not from scratch, but a new beginning enriched by all my experiences.
Embracing the Outsider Within: Self-Confidence as a Foreigner
When I arrived in Split last year, I was already comfortable with who I am. I was battling grief, so it would tend to throw me off at the most inopportune times, but at no point did it make me feel less than. I also quickly realized I looked like I wasn’t from Split.
It was a strange feeling. I had spent just under two weeks in Split months earlier and several more in other parts of Croatia. Even throughout my travels last year in Turkey and in Italy, I knew I looked like a foreigner, but I was travelling, so obviously I would look different - like a tourist. However, once I moved here, I quickly became hyper-aware of societal nuances, style, and lifestyle—and it became clear I wasn’t like anyone here.
Breaking the Cycle: Embracing Self-Love and Healing My Inner Child
In “Breaking the Cycle: Embracing Self-Love and Healing My Inner Child,” I share my journey of prioritizing myself for the first time. After years of living for others, I awoke to the need to focus on my own well-being and happiness. This introspective piece delves into my struggles with guilt and insecurity while highlighting the importance of self-empowerment and support from loved ones. As I work to heal my inner child, I explore how embracing self-love has transformed my life, helping me navigate challenges and find peace in my choices.