Leaving home is never easy, especially when it's not entirely by choice. I'm 35 years old, a yoga teacher, and russian native. 2.5 years ago, me and my boyfriend made one of the hardest decisions of our life: left home country, a place where we have built our careers, friendships, and a sense of belonging, because could no longer bear to live under the regime we're don't support. The invasion of Ukraine was the final straw.
I'm against the war, against the violence, and against everything it represents. Staying silent was not an option, but speaking out made staying in Russia impossible.
So, we left.. for the chance to start anew, even if it meant stepping into the unknown.
Portugal became our refuge. I had heard about its beautiful landscapes, warm climate, and relaxed lifestyle. It sounded like a good place to start over, to find peace, and maybe, just maybe, rebuild a life from scratch. But when you’re starting from zero, everything feels like a mountain to climb.
Back in Russia, I had a career as a yoga teacher. I was well-known in my community, and I had regular clients who trusted me to guide them through their practice. Teaching yoga is more than a job for me; it's a passion. It’s about helping people find balance, peace, and strength within themselves. But here in Portugal, I'm starting all over. I’m not the successful instructor I once was. I’m just another emigrant trying to find her way.
One of the biggest challenges learning Portuguese. Every word, every phrase like a small step forward. I knew that if I wanted to build a new life here, I needed to communicate, to connect, to make this country my home. Learning a new language is hard, and it has been a slow, sometimes frustrating journey. But I have come to see it as an opportunity, a chance to grow, to learn, to stretch beyond the limits I thought I had. Each word I master, each conversation I manage, is a victory. It's proof that I am not just surviving—I am building.
About my work as a yoga teacher. Yoga for me is not just about physical movement it is about finding peace, balance, and strength, even in the midst of chaos. Teaching here in Portugal, I have learned to carry that philosophy into my own life. There are moments when I feel like I'm starting all over again, like a beginner on the mat, struggling to find my footing. But I remind myself that this is where growth happens—in the discomfort, in the effort, in the persistence.
Leaving Russia was not an escape. It was a choice to stand up for what I believe in, to find a place where I could live freely and authentically. I left because I wanted to live in a way that felt true to myself, and that decision has given my life a new depth of meaning. It has not been easy, and there have been times when I felt lost, isolated, and uncertain about the future. But every day I wake up and remind myself why I am here, and every day I choose to keep moving forward.
There is a freedom that comes from letting go of what you once knew and stepping into the unknown. It’s terrifying, but it’s also liberating. It forces you to confront who you really are, to find your own inner strength, and to discover new ways to thrive. Being in Portugal has taught me that life’s meaning is not found in comfort or security, but in the courage to embrace the journey, no matter how uncertain or difficult it may be.
I'm still learning, still building, still figuring things out. But I am grateful for the opportunity to start over, to find new purpose, and to live in a way that feels true to who I am. I have chosen to growth, to freedom, and to the possibility of a brighter future. And that choice, difficult as it was, has been my greatest strength.
No matter how hard the path may be, I know that every step forward brings me closer to the life I'm meant to live.
I’m grateful for the chance to try. I'm grateful for the support of my beloved man and that we are going through these trials together and our love is becoming stronger and deeper. I’m grateful to be in a country that has welcomed me, even if I sometimes feel out of place. And most of all, I’m grateful for the freedom to build a new life, even if it’s taking longer than I hoped.
And I hope that my journey can inspire others to find the courage to say "yes" to their own truth, to stand up for their values, and to embrace the beautiful, unpredictable journey of life.
