Before – In between – After photos of Darija

I Thought I Was Free—Until I Actually Was

April 15, 20254 min read

The story behind why I do what I do today

Most people know me as bold and unconventional. I left a career in architecture in my mid-20s, walked 5,000 km across countries, and ran workshops along the way. I lived simply, traveled often, and built a life that looked fearless from the outside.

But inside, I was still chasing approval.

I thought I had already healed. I had done so much work. I knew how to listen to my heart. I was saying no more often. I had my own rhythm. And yet, self-doubt and guilt kept creeping in.

The truth? I didn’t trust myself fully.
Not in the deep, unshakable way that sticks.
Not in the “I can rest and not feel bad” way.
Not in the “I can speak up and not spiral” way.

And that’s what I want to talk about.

Because when you’re stuck in self-doubt—even if you’re smart, self-aware, and doing "all the right things"—it doesn’t go away until the root is cleared. And most approaches don’t go that deep.

That’s what I didn’t know.
That’s what I wish someone had told me sooner.
That’s why I do what I do today.

🎥 WATCH: I shared a video recently about what it really felt like before… and how things changed after going through this process. (It’s raw, honest, and exactly what I wish someone had told me back then.)

BEFORE: I Didn’t Even Know I Existed

Up until age 24, I didn’t feel like I had a say in my life.
I said “yes” to everyone else because I didn’t believe I could say anything else.
I was the good girl. The achiever. The one who kept it together.

Fear of rejection was so deep that I didn’t even question the life I was in—until one day, I did.

That’s when everything started to shift.

IN BETWEEN: I Built a Brave Life, But Quietly Carried Self-Doubt

From 24 to 38, I lived my version of freedom.
I followed my heart. I grew. I traveled.
I learned to say no to what didn’t feel true.

But even with all that experience, the inner dialogue didn’t stop:

What if I let someone down?
What if they think I’m not good enough?
What if I make the wrong decision?

It showed up in my business.
It showed up in my marriage.
It showed up when I needed rest—but kept pushing instead.

No amount of journaling, mindset tools, or overthinking fixed it.

That’s when I realized: this wasn’t about working harder on myself.
It was about letting go of the emotional weight I didn’t even realize I was still carrying.

🎞️ Throwback moment:
I found this
30-second clip of me from back then… and wow—it brought up a lot. I talk here about how I used to handle moments like that, and how I do now. (It’s kind of wild to watch yourself from “before” when you’ve done the deep work.)

AFTER: I Finally Found What Works

Two years ago, I came across something different.
A process made for women—based on how we process emotions biologically.
It didn’t just give me more tools.
It cleared the root of what kept me stuck.

Suddenly, everything clicked:

  • I stopped spiraling over how others might react.

  • I set boundaries without guilt or confusion.

  • I could rest—without pressure, without shame.

  • I didn’t need to fix my husband anymore (and our relationship finally had space to breathe).

And it wasn’t temporary.
It felt stable. Grounded. Real.

I was so impressed that I trained in the method myself. Because no one should have to carry this much emotional weight for this long—especially not women who are already doing so much for everyone around them.

So What Do I Actually Do Now?

I guide women through the same method that changed my life.
It’s called Creatrix®, and it works at the level where real shifts happen—without years of talk therapy, mindset work, or “working on yourself.”

Because here’s the deal:

🧠 If how you see the world doesn’t shift, nothing changes.
❤️‍🩹 If your nervous system is stuck in survival mode, strategies won’t help.
🌿 If you clear the emotional weight from the root, your natural wisdom comes back online.

And that’s the key.

You don’t need to be fixed.
You just need to let go of what was never yours to carry.

You Don’t Have to Keep Carrying This

If this resonates, send me a message. I’d be happy to chat and see if this process could help you the way it helped me.

And if you’re not sure yet, just sit with this:

What if the pressure you feel isn’t a sign you’re broken—
but a sign you’ve been carrying too much for too long?

You don’t have to keep doing that.

🪞 Self-Check: Is This You?

woman journaling sitting on grass

Take a quiet moment and ask yourself:

  • Am I doing all the “right things” but still feel heavy inside?

  • Do I often worry what others think—even if I try not to?

  • Do I feel guilty when I rest, say no, or slow down?

  • Have I tried many self-help methods, but still circle back to the same patterns?

  • Do I want real change, but deep down I’m scared nothing will work?

If even one of these made you pause—
That pause matters.

It means something in you is ready.
Not for more effort.
But for something different.

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Hi! I’m Darija

I help smart, self-aware women release emotional patterns that therapy, mindset work, and strategies couldn’t touch.

With 20+ years in personal development, I work at the root—clearing inherited blocks using a method designed for how women naturally process emotions, so results feel natural, deep, and lasting.


P.S. Curious what’s really been blocking your self-trust?

👉Take Self-Trust Quiz & find out!

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"You are one inner wisdom away from finally trusting yourself—and letting go of the guilt, pressure, and doubt." - Darija