Finding your path and trusting yourself
It was the first day of the Masters program at Charles University in Prague. The introduction session in the auditorium just ended and you could feel through the chatter of people around that this will be an exciting adventure. First order of the business - get a student ID! Not quite sure where to find the admin building I stepped out on the street into the early October rain.
And there she was! Simona! On the same mission as myself, we decided to track the admin building together.
Since then we were side by side working towards our degrees in Economics, even working together for a bit. Although we don’t live in the same country anymore, we are still friends. Simona completely redefined her career path and I wanted to share more of her story and beginnings with you.
Who are you?
Please tell us more about who you are. Of course we can read about you on your website, but could you please share with us… who is Simona?
I'm a dreamer, a curious woman who hates small talk and likes to talk heart-to-heart. For me, that means talking openly, honestly, deeply, and with humor. And if the topic is about relationships and sexuality, it can last forever.
I support people on their discovery of bringing more joy, fun, and love in their life, championing healthy relationships and sexual well-being. I love to be in nature on every occasion and enjoy good food. Sharing a meal and conversation with my loved ones is the best evening possible, continued by an engaging book, dancing, or lovemaking.
I try to create and seek joy in life.
I'm a woman, a partner, and a mama.
Discovering your path
We studied together in Prague and you then also worked in the field of economics after that. However, now you are doing something completely different. How did you find your path? Can you tell us a bit more about your discovery journey?
I was working in economics for about seven years. I felt that I accomplished what I wanted, which reached the point close to burnout, where I realised I needed to slow down. I was privileged to take a break and go traveling for more than a year. That allowed me to think, reflect, re-evaluate things, see possibilities and open my mind.
I was relaxed, which enabled me to step out of routine, and could see the world with the curious eyes of a child. I could wonder. I'm not saying that it's the only way, but it works for me to go further away to be able to connect with myself again and check if I'm walking the direction I want.
The previous experience was a job, and I felt that I needed something else. I started to dig, trying out different things, but still, it wasn't it. The same topic kept popping up, although I wasn't sure how I could live from that or brave enough to see myself doing it. I met mentors and people in the same field, relationship, and sexuality, who showed me the way, while my partner was the biggest support.
As soon as I named it and declared who I am (Relationship & Sex Coach), the whole puzzle started to make sense, and things clicked together. My being was there, and I knew I will be alright.
Fear of/in first steps
Sometimes it is hard for people to know exactly what they want to do or study. At times we are afraid to change the direction 180 degrees because it might seem like we are going backwards… how did your first steps look like once you decided to become a relationship & sex coach?
Is it hard to know? I guess it depends on where we pay attention.
Fear will always be there, but it's only an emotion, not part of who we are. We can draw on our experience. We sometimes forget how capable we are. High school or university was a big unknown, every first date, every new job, a new house, getting a dog, or having a baby. We jump into it and deal with it.
We have one life, and this is our chance. It was something I would regret not trying out and going for it. In the meantime, I'm learning how to run business, marketing strategies, improving my soft skills, communication, public speaking, directing workshops, etc.
And yes, the beginning was blurry, I made a lot of mistakes, the points to learn from, I failed so I can rise and shine again. But that's ok. I don't have to be perfect in my job, but I want to feel aligned with my values.
If you only remember one thing…
If you could give me and others who are considering changes in their paths an advice. What would that be?
Trust yourself (or your intuition or your guts). Once you decide to go for it, go for it 100 %.
