My name is Eve. Well, actually, it’s Ieva. But since I live in an English-speaking community, I’ve found that introducing myself as Eve is simply easier. The biblical Eve – yes, the Adam and Eve one – is the origin of the Lithuanian name Ieva. But let’s be honest: how often do I want to explain to everyone I meet how to pronounce it correctly?

This is my life transformation story – a journey from feeling trapped by expectations to creating a life of complete freedom. If you’re a woman over 30 feeling stuck, questioning your path, or dreaming of starting over, this story is for you.

While we’re on the topic of names, let’s clear up another thing – Jiyū isn’t my real last name. My actual last name would be much harder to use. JIYŪ is the brand I’m building from the ground up. In Japanese, Jiyū means “freedom,” which perfectly captures my personal philosophy and the phase of life I’m in right now.

You might think I’m trying to hide my real identity or distance myself from my true name, but honestly, it’s just more convenient this way. And why add unnecessary complexity? I value simplicity, slow living, and making life easier whenever possible. Is that shallow? Maybe. But three years ago, I stopped caring about what others thought of me – and that decision changed everything.

Why Freedom Became My Only Priority

More than anything, I want to be free. Free in my thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Free from societal expectations, past traumas, and limiting narratives. Free financially, emotionally, and mentally – independent, unbound by people or circumstances, living at my own pace and by my own values.

This wasn’t always my mindset. Like many women, I spent years trying to fit into boxes others created for me. But starting over at 30 taught me that the only opinion that truly matters is your own.

Leaving Lithuania: The Beginning of My Digital Nomad Journey

I was born in Lithuania and had a relatively good childhood, yet I never felt particularly close to my family. We were there for each other in a practical sense, but there was always an unspoken gap between us – one that was never truly bridged. The bonds weren’t nurtured in childhood, and now, as an adult, I’m still working through old wounds, learning to forgive and let go.

I know many in my generation feel the same – constantly searching for answers, healing, and closure. But me? I just want to move forward. I don’t want to keep analyzing the past. I want to let it go, embrace new possibilities, and fully enjoy the life ahead of me.

And honestly, I already have a pretty extraordinary one.

The Trip That Changed Everything

Three years ago, I left Lithuania in search of a place where I truly belonged. My first solo trip was to Thailand, and something about it cracked me open. It wasn’t just the landscapes, the people, or the food – it was the realization that the world was so much bigger than I had ever imagined.

This solo female travel experience introduced me to travelers from around the world, each with their own stories, perspectives, and experiences. My worldview expanded overnight. I met women who had built location independent businesses, couples who had been traveling for years, and digital nomads who proved that traditional career paths weren’t the only way to live.

And so, lying under a palm tree, I made a decision – I wasn’t going back.

Bali Wasn’t the Plan, But Here I Am

I thought Thailand would be my new home, but life had other plans. What was supposed to be a short stop turned into something more, and I found myself in Bali. Years later, I’m still here – writing this while looking at the ocean, soaking up an endless summer, something I could never have back in Europe.

I arrived in Bali with confidence, having sold everything I owned and saved up enough to start fresh. I assumed it would be easy: launch an online business, earn enough to sustain a simple lifestyle, and escape the cycle of working just to consume.

But reality had a different plan, and my personal growth story was about to take an unexpected turn.

The Business That Failed — And the Lesson That Changed Everything

The online store I invested my money, time, and energy into failed spectacularly. I ran out of funds for marketing and website maintenance, and online jobs weren’t as easy to find as I had hoped. A year into Bali, I found myself at a crossroads – broken, uncertain, and questioning everything.

What now? How do I survive?

This wasn’t the life transformation story I had envisioned. I took on any online gig I could find, learned new skills, and hustled—but it wasn’t enough. I was stuck, and for the first time since leaving Lithuania, I wondered if I had made a terrible mistake.

But sometimes, our biggest failures lead to our greatest breakthroughs.

The Meeting That Redirected My Entire Path

On New Year’s Eve, I met someone who would completely shift my path. Bobby.

For the first six months, we were just friends. But over time, that friendship grew into something more. Bobby, an American, has lived in Bali for over a dozen years. He owns a stunning oceanfront hotel – a life I never imagined possible.

He had a dream: to spend the rainy season in Bali traveling across South America. And one day, he asked me to come with him.

I was terrified. No stable job, no financial security, no safety net. But he told me not to worry. And for the first time in a long time, I let go of control and said yes to the unknown.

The Journey That Completed My Transformation

Our journey began in the United States, where Bobby is from. We spent two months exploring California, Nevada, Texas, Alabama, New York, and Florida, with a stop in the British Virgin Islands.

Everything felt bigger – the landscapes, the cities, even the portion sizes. I experienced my first Thanksgiving, saw Halloween decorations straight out of the movies, and witnessed the chaotic magic of New York City at Christmas.

From there, we traveled to Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Panama – a nine-month digital nomad journey that transformed me completely.

Looking back, I know – this was the trip of a lifetime. It shaped me, shifted my perspective, and changed the way I see the world.

What Travel Really Taught Me

This wasn’t just about seeing new places. It was about discovering who I was when stripped of all familiar contexts. Away from the expectations of family, friends, and society, I found my authentic self.

I learned that starting over at 30 isn’t too late – it’s exactly the right time. By 30, you have enough life experience to make informed decisions, but you’re still young enough to completely reinvent yourself.

Why I’m Sharing This Personal Growth Story

Since this post is about me, I’ll be honest: writing this makes me nervous.

I’m stepping into an unfamiliar space, speaking to an audience that doesn’t know me yet. And there’s always the fear – will I be misunderstood?

Another fear? Language.

English isn’t my first language. I know my words might not flow as effortlessly as those of a native speaker. But here I am – writing anyway, because authentic stories matter more than perfect grammar.

Why I Started Writing Again

Writing has always been my passion. As a kid, I lost myself in books and wrote my own stories. But somewhere along the way, life, work, and obligations took over.

Now, I want to bring it back.

I’m sharing my life transformation story because I believe in the power of authentic storytelling. When we’re vulnerable about our journeys, we give others permission to dream bigger and take brave action.

Through my writing, I explore the intersection of personal growth, slow living, and the pursuit of true independence. My journey has taken me across continents – from Lithuania to Bali, from uncertainty to freedom – and I believe in creating a life that feels as good as it looks.

What’s Next in My Story

Right now, I’m focused on building my business, deepening my self-awareness, embracing slow living, and finding complete independence. I write about the tools and practices that have transformed my life, including journaling for self-discovery and using social media intentionally rather than letting it control my narrative.

I just turned 34, and I want every year to be intentional, meaningful, and free. If even one person -especially a woman over 30 – feels encouraged to make bold life choices through my words, then every word I write is worth it.

For Women Ready to Write Their Own Transformation Story

My personal growth story isn’t unique in its desire for freedom – it’s unique in the courage it took to pursue it. Every woman who has ever felt trapped by expectations, suffocated by routine, or yearning for something more has the seeds of her own transformation story within her.

The difference between dreaming and living is often just one decision: the decision to start.

Tools for Your Own Journey

A major component of my own journey has been self-reflection, which has enabled me to overcome limiting beliefs and acquire clarity. If you’re on a similar path of starting over at 30 or beyond, you might find my Self-Reflection Journal helpful—it’s filled with prompts to guide you through your own process of self-discovery.

Join Me on This Adventure

I write about personal growth, self-discovery, slow living, and the pursuit of true independence. My digital nomad journey has taken me across continents—from Lithuania to Bali, from uncertainty to freedom. I believe in creating a life that feels as good as it looks.

If any of this resonates with you, if you’re ready to write your own life transformation story, I’d love for you to join me on this adventure.

You can find me here on my blog and, if you’re curious about my life beyond words, on Instagram too.

There’s so much more to say, but I’ll save that for other stories. For now, know this: it’s never too late to start over, and 30 is the perfect age to begin living authentically.

With love and endless possibilities,
Eve