Past to Possibility: Jana

Jana shares 3 defining moment from her life which shaped the person she is today

A warm hello from me! 👋🏻 If you're new here, I'm Natasha - psychotherapist, mum, wife, and cocktail enthusiast! 🍹 Welcome to Therapreneur Diaries, where I share my journey of growing my online private therapy practice, and you'll find posts about:

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I’m excited to continue my spin-off series: Past to Possibility.

This series is all about exploring the powerful connection between past experiences, how they shape the present, and how they influence the possibilities for the future.

Through a series of reflective questions, each interviewee will share a significant moment in their life that sparked personal growth, how it influenced their mindset and actions, and how those insights continue to impact them today. I’m grateful to Jana for sharing her moving story and I hope you enjoy reading it.

Past to Possibility Interview #2: Jana

Jana is a writer at the Coffee Break Newsletter. She collects memorable books, chases interesting ideas, and shares stories that shift perspectives. Coffee Break Newsletter is a midweek pause - filled with book recommendations, book-inspired reflections, and interviews with talented writers to help you rethink life, work, and everything in between.

What is one defining moment or experience from your past that has shaped the person you are today?

There were three defining moments. The first happened when I was about 11, my parents divorced, and this is when I started writing and reading. That was my form of escape. The second happened in 2003 when my mom passed away suddenly; this shocked my world as I knew it. I was about to finish school and become an adult, so this moment affected how my life played out so far. It made me highly resilient, hardworking and persistent. The third was the passing of my dad, also very sudden, which was a massive wake-up call. I started to re-evaluate how I use my time. With his loss, many of my priorities shifted, which is reflected in my publication, which circles around the key priorities: slowing down, non-fiction books and writing. The coffee break is a tribute to my dad, who loved coffee, worked hard as an entrepreneur and lived life to the fullest, realising all his dreams. I want to do the same and share that message with my readers.

How did that moment or experience impact you as a person at the time?

First, I was too young to be able to handle divorce, so writing became my way of expressing my emotions, which were mainly negative. Second, I realised that everything depends on me. If I want anything to happen, I will have to get it. There's no safety net. It helped me develop belief in myself. Third, my dad was a hard worker. He loved working, and his sudden passing made me realise that work won't love you back unless it's what you are truly passionate about. Since his passing, I have only done what I truly want to do. It sounds cliché, but there's really no time to be putting up with somebody else's ideas of our success.

In what ways do you notice the influence of that experience showing up in your daily life or mindset today?

It made me empathetic towards others and what they are going through. I don't expect much from others. If we set a deadline and a person is not able to meet it, I don't get upset; I understand things do happen. If I want to accomplish something, I know I will put 100% effort into it. I have resilience, so whatever happens to me now, I know I will survive it and be okay.

Tell us about a decision or action you’ve taken recently where your current mindset, shaped by your past, played a significant role?

As they say, I had many plates spinning for many years. I wanted to succeed in my current role, so I've always had a couple of big courses on the go, plus a Substack publication. Last year, I stripped all of it. I decided that in three years, I would leave my full-time job, stop any courses I had on the go, and put all of my effort into my publication.

“I'd rather fail as a writer than succeed as a manager.”

What connections do you see between your past and your present? Does this surprise you?

It does not surprise me. Would I want to change some of them? Yes, all of them. In life, you have to be resilient. Things will not happen just because you want them. You have to keep trying and finding ways and resources to line up all the cards for yourself. At the end, always check: “Am I happy?” “Is this what I want?” As a writer, I think resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks are vital.

Following your journey to this point, how do you imagine your current mindset, actions and habits will influence your future?

Writing on Substack among so many excellent and friendly writers brings me joy. I want to stay in this space for as long as I can, and I will put all my effort into making my publication what I want it to be.

What possibilities in the future are you most hopeful or excited about?

My publication helps me survive a toxic work environment and brings me joy because it focuses on two things I love the most: reading and writing. I want it to be an escape place for many amazing readers.

✨ Reflection: How did you find this exploration of the links between your past, present, and future?

Emotional.

Connect with Jana:

Substack: Coffee Break Newsletter

Natasha’s reflection

I was really moved to witness Jana’s vulnerability in sharing two significant losses in her life. It stood out to me when Jana said, “it shocked my world as I knew it” when her mum died, and for this to happen a second time with her dad, I can only imagine how painful that must have been. Sudden bereavements are extremely difficult, and I have so much compassion for Jana for navigating these experiences. It’s not just about living without her parents anymore; it’s processing the perceived loss of how her future could have been different. Jana generously shares how reading and writing became safe havens for her during these difficult times; they gave her the opportunity to express her emotions and temporarily escape into other worlds.

Jana’s journey is a poignant example of post-traumatic growth - how profound loss can lead to unexpected clarity and resilience. While her experiences have been deeply painful, they’ve sparked a renewed sense of purpose in her life and a determination to succeed on her own terms. By running the Coffee Break Newsletter, she not only provides a safe haven for herself but also to her readers. I’m grateful to Jana for sharing the deep meaning behind her publication, and I look forward to her fulfilling her dream of becoming a full-time writer.

✨ What stands out to you from Jana’s experiences?

Work with me

Curious about how your past has shaped your beliefs and behaviours? I offer 1:1 online therapy to help you lead a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.

Therapy with me focuses on three key areas:

• Relief – Helping you feel less overwhelmed, dissatisfied, and stuck.

• Resolution – Understanding and resolving past experiences so they no longer shape your beliefs and behaviours.

• Empowerment – Gaining control of your choices and future, with a clear plan to sustain your progress after therapy.

  

  You might also like these posts:

• Past to Possibility Interviews – More inspiring stories from reflective women sharing their experiences.

• Therapist Check-ins – Monthly reflections on my life as a therapreneur: the challenges, the stats, and the wins.

• Deep-dives - In-depth explorations of psychology and business related topics.

Already looking forward to the next interview?