Post for LinkedIn

15 years ago, I left everything I knew behind. My family, my friends, my home in Ukraine. Freshly divorced, I packed a few suitcases and carried the quiet support of my parents — and a little “just in case” money, in case I didn’t like it… or needed to come home. I landed in Alabama — the Deep South of the U.S. A place I had only seen on Google. Suddenly, I was immersed in a culture that felt like another planet: palm trees, sweet tea, fried everything, and the kindest strangers who spoke English… but not the one I learned in school. 😉 The beach became my anchor — my thread of familiarity while I found my footing. I had 90 days to decide: stay and marry, or return home. My (now) husband went above and beyond to help me feel at home — even finding the only Orthodox church in the city. I remember stepping inside and instantly feeling peace. That church would become sacred to our journey — where we married, baptized our son, and began planting roots in this new soil. I didn’t go to college here. I didn’t take formal English classes. I learned by listening, observing, failing, and trying again. Over the years, I worked in marketing, PR, and business development. I earned coaching and trainer certifications. I began helping others through their own transitions — because I understood the emotional terrain. Recently, I joined Toastmasters. In just two months, I earned “Best Speaker,” “Best Table Topic,” and “Best Evaluator.” I was nominated to be the club president. It reminded me — growth never stops when you're willing to show up. We’ve bought and sold homes, built our dream house in the Georgia mountains, and raised a kind, bright son. The hills and seasons here remind me of Ukraine — they feel like a gentle whisper of my past while I live fully in the present. Have there been challenges? Absolutely. I’ve cried into pillows, missed my family with an ache that words can’t reach, and questioned if I was doing enough… or if I even belonged. But with every season, I grew. I evolved. I adapted. Today, I’m writing a book sharing the exact tools, mindset shifts, and inner work that helped me not only survive a major life transition — but transform through it. To every immigrant reading this: You're not alone. It’s okay to feel lost. It’s okay to miss home. And it’s okay to build a new one — brick by brick, on your terms. 💬 Your accent is beautiful. 💪 Your courage is powerful. 📖 And your story — it matters. Here’s to the brave hearts who left it all behind to start something new. 15 years ago, I arrived full of uncertainty. Today, I stand rooted in purpose. And I’m just getting started. 🇺🇸 #ImmigrantJourney #Transformation #LifeTransitions #Resilience #Leadership #WomenEmpowerment #CoachingJourney #AmericanDream #Toastmasters #MindsetMatters