Blog Post 10.                  July 17, 2024

From Gallstones to Goals: My Unexpected Journey to Virtual Operations

Hey everyone, buckle up for a story that involves plot twists, self-discovery, and a surprising win over some unwelcome residents in my abdomen. Let's call it a tale of resilience, a dash of stubbornness (okay, maybe a whole lot), and ultimately, a commitment to chasing my dreams.

For those of you who haven't met me online yet, I'm Katrina Julia, and since September of 2023, I've been on a mission to conquer the virtual landscape. I'm an operations manager by trade, but the traditional office routine just wasn't cutting it for me anymore. The lure of the remote world, the flexibility, the chance to ditch the commute and work in my pajamas (don't judge, we've all been there) – it was calling my name. So, I started diving headfirst into the world of online courses. Web development, project management for virtual teams, the ever-evolving world of SEO – I devoured it all. It felt like finally cracking the code on a particularly challenging level in a video game – exhilarating, challenging, and oh-so-rewarding.

Then, January rolled in, and life decided to throw a bit of a wrench (or maybe a whole toolbox) into my meticulously planned journey. A dull ache settled in my abdomen, a persistent and unwelcome guest that refused to leave for a whole month. Now, I'll freely admit, I have a reputation for having a high tolerance for pain. Some might call it stubbornness, but hey, let's not dwell on semantics. So, I did what any (slightly misguided) person might do – I ignored it, hoping it would magically disappear. Famous last words, right?

By February, the pain had morphed from a dull ache into a full-blown party in my gut, and let me tell you, it wasn't the kind of party anyone wants an invitation to. Finally succumbing to the pressure of my increasingly concerned family (and the fact that ignoring it clearly wasn't working), I booked a doctor's appointment. The diagnosis? Gallstones. Lovely. Apparently, these delightful little buggers were the source of all my discomfort, and the only way to evict them was through surgery.

The day we got the news was a low point. Disappointment, frustration, and a healthy dose of fear all swirled around in my head. Surgery wasn't exactly on my vision board for 2024. But here's the thing: that day, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, a strange sense of clarity emerged. Lying there, facing the prospect of surgery, I realized that I was ultimately in charge of my own health. This wasn't just about gallstones anymore; it was about taking control.

So, I did what any (slightly-less-stubborn) person might do – I decided to fight back. Sugar and processed foods, the usual suspects in my diet, got the boot. Hello, healthy fats and a rainbow of fresh fruits and veggies! Exercise, which previously held all the appeal of cleaning the oven, suddenly became my new best friend. (Okay, maybe not best friend, but a grudgingly accepted acquaintance). I even explored the world of targeted supplements, giving my body the extra TLC it craved.

Five months later, here I am, living with the gallstones, and yet feeling like a million bucks! This whole experience, as unexpected as it was, didn't derail my virtual dreams. In fact, it fueled them! Seeing my body bounce back, its resilience in the face of those pesky gallstones, gave me a newfound determination to pursue this path. It was a reminder that life throws curveballs, but it's how you swing at them that truly matters.

So, here I am again, back on track, devouring online courses, and inching closer to becoming the virtual operations rockstar I know I can be. This journey has been a wild ride, filled with plot twists and unexpected detours, but through it all, one thing has remained constant: my desire to create a fulfilling career on my own terms, in the comfort of my (sometimes pajama-clad) home office.

This blog is for anyone who's ever felt stuck, who's ever had their plans disrupted by life's little curveballs. It's a testament to the power of taking charge of your health, of chasing your dreams no matter the bumps in the road, and of occasionally finding inspiration in the most unexpected places (like a diagnosis of gallstones, who knew?).

 So, stay tuned, because this virtual nomad is ready to take flight, and I'm excited to continue sharing the journey with you!