Consciousness defines existence

Almost twenty years ago, I moved to Switzerland, almost immediately after graduating from college. I loved the country, but I never seriously thought I'd ever live here. My whole life, family, friends, and work were in Moscow. I met my future husband in high school; he came from Switzerland, where he lived with his parents for several years. We started dating, and after school, he returned to Zurich to study at university, and our "distance story" began—texting, calling, visiting each other during the holidays. It was difficult with school, work, and uncertainty, but this period ultimately became a powerful foundation for our relationship. Every trip to Switzerland was a true holiday. I discovered a new country, its culture, and its unique identity, but the thought of one day living here never crossed my mind.

In Moscow, I studied international journalism at MGIMO and was already working in my second year: writing articles, conducting interviews, then switching to PR and working as an event planner at an American advertising agency. Everything was dynamic, vibrant, and full of typical Moscow excitement. And then, it turned out, I needed to become a "Decembrist's wife" in a practical sense: after studying at ETH, my future husband quickly found a job and proposed.

After the metropolis with its rhythm and energy, I found myself in a slower-paced country. With my active lifestyle and habit of dynamic, fast-paced life, this was disorienting; I was truly at a loss. I didn't speak German and knew that finding a job in my field without fluency would be impossible, and learning the language to that level would take a long time. So I decided to just keep going I continued writing for Russian magazines where I still had friends, helped with the family business, and looked for ways to be useful. It was a time of searching: for myself, for my place, for a new version of myself. I was simultaneously learning Russian from scratch, gradually immersing myself in a new life, and realizing that Russian was in demand in the business world, I decided to train as a Russian teacher for foreigners and bilingual children. I studied part-time at Moscow State University, flying to Moscow to take exams. All this gave me a sense of movement, which I greatly missed. I worked as a Russian tutor for only a short time – my eldest daughter was born, and my life changed once again. Generally, when children are born, it often seems as if life is divided into "before" and "after." And that "before" is gone forever, with no hope of return, while "after" frightens me with the unknown. But in my case, this "after" turned out not to be a narrowing of my horizons, but, on the contrary, an expansion. Motherhood became a point of powerful internal growth, not a pause. I realized that I wanted and could do something useful and interesting, and I had a sea of ​​ideas and the inner energy to realize them. It was then that my first major project was born: organizing events for Russian-speaking parents in Switzerland. It grew out of a personal desire to connect and an interest in people, to create a Russian-language environment for my own children, and to create engaging events. Then the Facebook group "The First Parents' Club in Switzerland" was born, becoming the only information platform at the time uniting Russian-speaking families to organize various events: from children's parties and themed meetings to children's theater tours. During those same years, I organized a children's book club—the first Russian-language book club in Switzerland at the time and I'm truly proud of everything about this project, from the idea to its implementation. At that time, I thought I was simply doing what I was interested in and good at, but then I realized I was creating a space where people find each other. At some point, I discovered that many people knew me and the feedback was amazing as if something truly big had grown from a small idea. The "First Parents' Club in Switzerland" has been successfully operating for over 10 years. I love that we've collectively collected a huge amount of useful information on everything related to parenting and raising children in Switzerland, and many have found community and close friends through the group.

Around the same time, my love of books led to another book box project, "Bookiebox." It was born out of my love of reading and quality books: I collected children's books from top publishers, which I arranged into a surprise box by age. It was a project about emotions, attention, and childhood wonder, and it was a huge success.

Over time, I began to think more and more about people and how we change when we face challenges, find ourselves in a new country or environment. Ever since childhood, I've been interested not only in what happens, but also why. This was especially evident when reading books I loved understanding what drives characters, how certain choices are made, and my interest in the inner world and psyche only grew over the years.

When my children grew up, I decided to learn a new profession at almost forty, it was a completely conscious choice. Studying as a psychologist opened a new world for me, and this journey continues, because this profession is never-ending. Today, I work as a psychologist with a Gestalt approach: I counsel adults and adolescents, lead therapy groups, and conduct weekend psychological breakfasts with a colleague. This has allowed me to bring people together, creating a space for dialogue, sharing experiences, and mindfulness. This is where my two identities merge: an energetic organizer who can think through everything, organize brilliantly, and bring people together, and a person deeply passionate about understanding the human soul. In this synthesis, I feel whole and it brings joy and satisfaction.

Many years ago, when my eldest daughter was six months old, and I still had a LiveJournal (anyone remember that? :)), I wrote a piece called "Consciousness Defines Existence." It was then that I first realized that it is our thoughts and our inner decisions that shape the reality around us. We live the way we allow ourselves to, the life we ​​have the imagination to create and this principle still guides me.

I'm inspired by women who aren't afraid to explore, who change countries, professions, and themselves, who follow their own path, even if it's not always a straight line. I'm also very motivated by inner energy when someone's eyes sparkle with ideas, when someone is excited about life, enjoying even the smallest moments, when you feel like they're truly living and enjoying what they do. This can be anyone and at any age it's always amazing for me to see this originality and inner spark.

And if my story can help someone hear themselves, try something new, and find a new path that means a lot to me.

I'm always ready to share my experience, support, and, if possible, inspire them to take a step forward.

Olga Zubkova

A New Life with a Taste of Happiness

How moving to Switzerland gave me aesthetics, slowness, and inspiration.

At 54, I took a step that many consider reckless: I left my familiar life and stable job and moved to a country where majestic mountains meet the bottomless blue sky and are reflected in crystal-clear lakes. Were there any doubts or fears? Of course. There were many, even more than I could have imagined. Mature age, separation from children and loved ones, difficult adaptation, a foreign language, a different mentality, a different upbringing, traditions, the friction and nagging in my new family… All of this accompanied my choice. But it was a conscious choice, requiring maturity.

For a whole year after my marriage, I stayed put and continued working in the civil service. A year of reflection, internal dialogue, and preparation. And here I am, with faith, hope, and love. Expectations and reality almost never align, and this is perhaps the most important law of life. My husband, the man who inspired me on this adventure, played a special role in this decision.

Swiss culture encourages restraint in emotional expression. Men here are less expressive, but more thoughtful, prone to planning and balanced decisions. It is believed that this is why they rarely act impulsively. But this was clearly not the case with us. "I came, I saw, I conquered" - that's what he was like. Just one year from our first meeting to marriage. And then began a deep dive into the psychology of relationships. Today, so many women suffer in marriage. And one of the reasons, in my opinion, is that they live with men who are physically present but emotionally absent. Listening means grasping words. Hearing means feeling meaning.

You don't have to be perfect to do this. You just need a desire to understand, even if it's painful, confusing, or if your views don't align. This is where true intimacy begins.

We weren't taught to love and build happy relationships. We were taught to wait and be patient. We grew up on fairy tales about princes, but we knew full well what hard physical labor was.

I was born in a small village and spent a lot of time with my grandmother. It's the same Cinderella: "You can't go for a walk until you've weeded and watered the garden." My parents had a long journey from village teachers to school principals. Both were educators. They moved from one village to another until they moved to the city with the sole goal of giving their children a good education. Perhaps it's genetics. Perhaps it's mentality. But I also tried to instill in my daughters the value of education as the foundation for confidence, independence, and the ability to make decisions. Children grow up. And no matter how difficult it is, it's important to recognize this.
Sometimes it's hard to tell who's more selfish: parents who tie their children to themselves, failing to teach them independence and seeking to control their lives, or adult children who refuse to take responsibility for themselves and continue to expect their parents to provide for their comfort.

This isn't just about parenting. It's about mutual respect, conscious love, and therefore spiritual growth. To love means not only to protect, but also to courageously open your hands. To believe that you've given everything they need, and to let go because you love them so much that you want their child to have their own life, even if separate from you. One full of ups and downs, discoveries, and happiness.

This is the main secret of motherhood: to grow wings, you must find the strength to let them fly. It's impossible to be prepared for every situation in life. But life is a series of lessons we go through in order to grow and develop.

The pandemic has become a time of trials, losses, and a rethinking of values. We each paused to look within. For me, it was a moment of inner silence and unexpected discovery.

On the very first day of forced confinement in the apartment, I ordered His Majesty the Mixer. Large, planetary, almost ceremonial. And it was this that opened up a new world for me—the world of pastry art. Online learning became a breath of fresh air and the beginning of new opportunities.

Thus, a new hobby entered my life. Everyone knows that Switzerland is a country of beautiful landscapes, order, and tranquility. But for me, a resident of a big city with a fast pace of life, it took time to get used to this slowdown. To a country where "happy cows, of course, give happy milk."

I slowed down. And for the first time, I allowed myself to simply be.

A morning with a view of the Alps and a fresh croissant, an evening with a glass of wine and cheese—this is a meditation in itself. At any age, you can learn to appreciate beauty, enjoy small pleasures, and create a life that smells of coffee and happiness.

Today I thank the Universe that I am
a happy daughter,
a happy mother of two beautiful daughters,
a happy grandmother of charming grandchildren,
a happy granddaughter of my 96-year-old grandmother, who is strong and tireless,
and, finally, a happy wife to the man I love. I thank you, my dear, for your willingness to create our new life together. For your desire to change and learn to live with me. Thank you for introducing me to this small, fairytale country of Switzerland. A land of cozy cafes filled with the aroma of freshly baked buns and melting chocolate. A land where life flows slowly and every day is a reason to savor the moment.

Happiness is a verb, not a noun.

Happy is the one who realizes themselves and finds their calling to do good. There will be no second chance. Only here. Only now.

Happiness is when love and desserts come together.

When you create not just a sweet treat, but a small moment of joy, prepared with love.

Svetlana Heller.

Age as a Point of Strength

My name is Natasha. For over twenty years, I've lived in Switzerland, a country that has become more than just a home for me, but a place of strength, peace, and inner growth. Over the years, I've come a long way: from strict discipline, constant self-control, and living by the rules to deep self-acceptance, understanding my emotions, and love for who I'm becoming.

Today, I clearly understand my "why," the reason I create, I move forward, and I wake up in the morning with a sense of meaning and inspiration.

My life was once built around the words "should" and "must." I strove to live up to expectations, to be perfect, strong, and focused, never allowing myself to show weakness. But one day, I heard myself—a quiet inner voice that had long been asking me to stop and look within. Thus began my journey to myself. Honest, profound, sometimes challenging, but truly healing.

Today, when I meet women at training sessions, consultations, and in the studio, I see the same thing: we often forget about ourselves. We become consumed by worries, by the expectations of others, by the fear of not measuring up. That's why it's so important for me to remind women by example: we have the right to listen to ourselves, the right to desire, the right to take care of ourselves, and the right to be beautiful and confident at any age.

In my life, I rely on two principles.

First: femininity is a strength, not an obligation.

Second: beauty is a state that is born within and reflected externally.

For me, self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity. Well-groomed appearance, clear thoughts, respect for the body, and attention to emotions create inner strength. I cherish holistic beauty, which combines softness and strength, inner harmony and external aesthetics, vibrant emotions and a healthy, beautiful body.

The body is our home and our tool for understanding the world. For me, health is a value and a cult, but without fanaticism. It's always about love, not punishment.

There's a thought I repeat again and again: age is not a sentence or a limitation. It shouldn't set boundaries, deprive you of your dreams, or lower your standards. A woman can change, blossom, start over, become stronger and more beautiful at any age.

My daily rituals of waking up early and working out are my personal sacred time. A way to tune in, recharge, and create that inner state that I then share with others.

Over time, I realized I wanted to reach more women than my studio allowed, so I created my YouTube channel. There, I share workouts, knowledge, experience, and a life philosophy in which self-care becomes a source of strength, not pressure. I love motivating and inspiring. I love seeing women regain their confidence and change their attitudes about themselves, their bodies, and their ages. I know that when a woman truly loves herself, she is capable of changing not only her life but also the world around her. My recipe is simple: self-love, gratitude, care, and respect for my body.

My goal is to develop, travel, discover new things, and share this with women seeking harmony, balance, and inner beauty.

I choose to live a beautiful, strong, and healthy life—and to help other women do the same. That is my mission.

The Power of Connection

When I moved to Switzerland in 2021, my entire social circle was summarized by the name Olya, my friend from Ukraine, with whom I had shared a long-standing bond. Everything else was a blank slate. White. A little scary. And completely new. Back then, all I had was my love for my Amore. And my love for video. For moments you want to preserve. For emotions you want to convey without words. It was this love that led me to study, and then to the profession of videography. The camera became my key to connecting with people, and people became my new world.

Step by step, almost imperceptibly, I entered the role of event organizer. Not by plan. By feeling. By calling. In two years, I organized 14 events and brought together over 850 people in live meetings. These aren't just numbers; they are destinies, conversations, first handshakes, tears of joy, and laughter that cannot be faked. The largest forums featured Ukrainian television stars Masha Efrosinina, bringing together 230 women, and 200 at the event with Katya Osadcha.

It wasn't just a success. It was a turning point. An internal revolution. It was then that I realized with absolute clarity: I can do anything. Behind this "everything" lies colossal work. Financial risks. Months of preparation. Sleepless nights. Responsibility for people, for the atmosphere, for every detail.

But there are other people: people who come back. Who wait. Who trust. And it is they who give you the feeling that you can't stop.

Today, at the beginning of 2026, I stand on the threshold of a new, truly grandiose project: the Golden Fashion Show. I once walked the runway as a model myself. And those emotions are indescribable. They can only be experienced. It was then that the desire to create a fashion show for ordinary, beautiful women was born within me. For those who dreamed. And even for those who've never allowed themselves to dream so boldly.

Feeling special, beautiful, and capturing the admiring glances of fashion show guests as a model changes you from the inside. It's not just a walk on the catwalk. It's colossal personal growth. Through the external, the internal is revealed. Through your posture, confidence. Through the spotlight, self-acceptance.

At that moment, you begin to see yourself differently: bolder, brighter, more meaningful. I became more confident. I realized my beauty and my courage. Not forced, not learned, but real, lived with body and heart.

This isn't playing at being a model. It's a transformation, after which life is divided into "before" and "after." And you don't want to go back. Because once you allow yourself to shine, you no longer agree to be in the shadows. You can become a model at any age. In any build. With any background. Today, anything is possible. The main thing is to decide to follow your dream.

At the same time, I created my own SMM agency. I help businesses and experts build compelling content and a strong personal brand. I provide consultations, develop promotion strategies, and support their growth. My clients achieve real, measurable results through a challenging, yet honest and effective process.

Today, I'm also one of the most prominent bloggers in Switzerland. People turn to me for advertising, for support, for developing their personal brands. But the most valuable thing is the words of gratitude. Warm. Genuine. From people whose lives have touched my projects in one way or another.

My events give me the strength to create new ones. Because live events change people. They connect. Friendships, partnerships, ideas, businesses, and new versions of ourselves are born there. I love following this path.

Because this is where my mission lies.

And I know for sure: this is only the beginning. Switzerland has become my second emigration.

Fifteen wonderful years in Croatia, in Split, on the very shores of the Adriatic, lie behind me. A city of sun, salt on my skin, and long conversations by the sea. A whole life lived beautifully and deeply. And new adventures lie ahead. A new adaptation. And emigration again. Switzerland greeted me like a clean slate.

All over again. Everything anew.

Wherever you go, you always take yourself with you.

And that is your most valuable resource. Your experience. Your inner strength. Your ability to create, to feel, to move forward, even when it's scary. Countries change. Cities replace each other.

And you remain.

And if you know how to support yourself, any point on the map can become home.