My journey started 5 years ago when we decided to move to Singapore. For me, it was the wildest (craziest) thing I’ve ever done in my life. I left my job, my family, friends, country… Just to start from zero and become a housewife.
“Beauty is not about looks, make-up or clothes. True beauty comes from being yourself”
After my children were born in Portugal, I always blamed myself because I didn’t have enough time for them. I had a full-time job, house duties, cooking, baking, family, etc. I saw this opportunity as a good way to change that and to have more time for them, myself and maybe have another baby.
Arriving in Singapore
When we arrived, my two boys were three and five years old and couldn’t speak English. It was the first obstacle we encountered but it was overcome in two months. It’s amazing how children learn new languages so fast!
The first three and a half years were a roller-coaster. I opened a business selling beautiful baby clothes. I had Maria, my daughter. I had a lot of friends but many of them left Singapore (something that I won’t get used to). I have never felt so unhappy and lonely in my life. I didn’t get depression but I was just so lost and without a light at the end of the tunnel… I wasn’t motivated to do anything. I was overweight, feeling ugly and without energy.
My life was only taking care of the kids, the house, cooking, doing school drop offs and pick ups and being home with Maria all day. No matter what people say or think, that was not what I wanted for my life. I love my children with all my heart but the most important thing, I think, is to feel good about yourself… And not feeling bad about that!!!
But everybody thought I was happy….
The turning point for me was believing that I could and I should be happy. I accepted what my husband suggested for me… Enrol my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter for two mornings at school. Then he gave me a membership to a dancing studio!
I stopped dancing ten years ago and forgotten how much I loved it! I came to remember how much Latino music could make me feel sooooo happy! I started going every day to the studio and I realized that I instantly fell in love with Zumba!!!
This is the difference of 18 months…
The other huge step it was to find a way to lose weight without starving. I was really lucky to find the Paleo Diet. One where you can eat as much as you want, but without carbs. I could eat as much as I wanted of veggies, fruit, meat, fish and nuts. I will explain everything in my next post in English because my blog Cakes Cookies & Dreams is currently in Portuguese. For now, I will try to write in both languages.
Diary of my new lifestyle
My blog became a diary of my new lifestyle. I wrote about healthy recipes, weekly menus, Zumba, even about new clothes. I just wanted to show people that you can change! Even with 3 kids and without a career.
Everything happens for a reason and my best friend asked me one year ago: “Why we don’t take the training and become a Zumba instructor?” I looked at her and instantly said: “Yes, why not?” I never in my life would think that I could become an instructor of anything. I always did aerobics and step but my mind was soooo far away from this new reality!!!
My hobby, my passion, my love, became my work and the most important thing was that I started to inspire people because no matter how old you are, no matter what your background is… you can do anything! Choose to be happy! When you love what you do, you have everything you need.
Our first Zumba class was a success and all our friends came to support us…
To change your life, you have to take three big steps:
- Surround yourself with people that have good, positive energy! Don’t waste your time with negative people because people can either inspire you or drain you.
- Believe you can change and find a new ‘you’. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself and most important, always believe that you can and you deserve to be happy!
- Never give up of your dreams even if the world it’s against you! Great things take time and I’ve learned that pleasing everybody is impossible!
Of course, I have my ups and downs but but the good days are more often than the bad days and I always try to learn a lesson and gain more experience with everything!
“Always follow your heart, make the most of every day, and be proud of who you are”
Wow Susana. What an incredibly inspiring and uplifting story. I loved it. Thank you so much for sharing. Reema x x