Federica Piga
Throughout my life, I have experienced many changes, one after the other. It all began when I was born in Sardinia. On the same day I was born, my biological parents abandoned me. I was then transferred from one city in central Sardinia to another in the south. At two months old, I was adopted, and I spent my childhood in the best way possible for a kid. My adoptive parents loved me so much, but that also meant they protected me too much. I didn't have much independence and always felt like I didn't fit in anywhere. When I was 23, my adoptive mother passed away, and that's when my real journey began.
Leaving things unresolved can lead to toxic shame and feeling guilty for everything others do. I started attracting toxic people and rejecting healthy relationships because I didn't feel deserving of them. I found myself constantly saying "I'm sorry" and "I'm stupid" in every conversation, even with myself. I disconnected from my emotions because the pain was too much to bear. I coped with the pain by throwing myself into work. I wanted to succeed and become the person my mother would be proud of. I completed my Master's Degree in just 1.5 years with top marks. I started working immediately and moved to Greece and then Bulgaria, where I found a great opportunity for growth.
I began working as an Italian Language and Culture Coach in a multinational company and co-founded a startup that eventually became one of the most popular Italian language schools in Bulgaria. Initially, everything seemed great. I felt recognized, achieved good results, learned new things, and faced many challenges. However, I was also in a toxic relationship with psychological abuse because I didn't feel deserving of total happiness. I poured all my time and energy into my work as a co-founder, teacher, trainer, mentor, recruiter, and event organizer. As my personal life crumbled, I focused on work even more. I worked tirelessly while also dealing with betrayal and heartbreak in my relationships. Despite the struggles, I devoted myself to my work and pushed through. When Covid hit, we had to adapt to remote work, and although it was challenging, things gradually improved. I worked long hours to transition our courses from in-person to online. This change brought about a newfound sense of power and adrenaline from seeing results and receiving recognition. However, the pressure continued to build, and I eventually burned out.
This period of burnout prompted me to reflect deeply on the direction and value of my life. Through solo travel, mindfulness activities, therapy, and coaching, I uncovered how my past traumas had shaped my life. I recognized my coping mechanisms and embraced my strengths. I began to believe in myself and embarked on a journey of healing. I found a supportive, healthy romantic relationship and let go of toxic relationships that were draining and unfair.
Despite the challenges and struggles, I have learned to turn stress into success. Every change, every setback, has ultimately led me to where I am today – a stronger, more resilient individual embracing the journey ahead. Life may throw unexpected curveballs, but it's how we navigate through them that defines our success.
Currently I have my own project called: Holistic Italian Journey. I am a Trauma Recovery Coach and Neuro Language Coach who supports people to build confidence and overcome toxic relationships through learning Italian or other skills. CONNECT www.holisticitalian.com/ www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557862112237 www.instagram.com/italian_healing_journey
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