ABOUT

Hi there!

Since you are on this page, I may start with giving a proper introduction of myself then.

This is Sollunaiuvenis. (Why this name? Well, I have come up with this pseudonym when I first opened my insta account years ago. It’s just a latin derivation of my name; you may simply call me “Sol” .)

After graduating from Faculty of Law, I worked as a legal counsel for years for clients from all ove the world.

However, despite having chosen my profession willingly, I could never feel “complete”.

I mean, you know, when you ask to some people, you see that all their dreams are based on what they’re doing; that they already have a clear picture in their mind of years from now. I didn’t feel that way. I was happy with what I was doing, I was loving it. But I was feeling like what I actually was looking for was somewhere else.

If you’re having difficulties dreaming about what you’re currently practicing, there may be a message there for you to take away, right?

(I am sure there are some of you out there who are familiar with this feeling. For those who are not, it may sound easy to deal with, but it is actually not. I know many people who, at some point, start questioning their purpose in life and feel kind of “lost”. If there is anyone who is reading this and feels the same, I hope, with all my heart, for them to find the real joy of their life and get out of that “black hole”.)

(Spoiler alert: I found my solution when I stopped looking at too far away. It had been under my nose all along. I will tell you. Keep reading : ) )

So yeah, it felt like life was rolling by, moving away while I was busy questioning myself. I was happy for being, let’s say, ‘the live wire’ of the group, but it started giving me the feeling of being left behind. You know, almost all societies have some similar pressures like, get a good education, acquire a prestigious job, settle down, be a mom/dad…

Well, I was having my fair share of it whereas my friends had already settled down or were even waiting to welcome their babies. Although I was happy witnessing their happiness so much, I could not feel the same for myself. And this would compel me to question whether I was doing the right thing.

One day, one of my friends, whose opinions I trusted (you know who you are <3) gave me a book. And thanks to that, I could finally sort out my confusion. The author, Sir Ken Robinson simply suggested this: “The point where ‘what you do best’ and ‘what you love to do the most’ meet is your Element. If you find your Element, you will be happy.”

That was it! That was finally it!

That was the reason behind all that confusion in my mind. I liked my job, yes, and I was successful. But it was not what I felt like I loved to do the most in life.

Great! First problem had been solved. But then, another question followed:

“What do I love doing the most?” or What is my element?” I started questioning this.

(Buy “The Element : How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything” by Ken Robinson HERE)

There was, however, something my gut was already telling me. Things that I like the most, that people would associate me with, like food, cooking, discovering, traveling... They were whispering to me. But could I ever build a career on them? I was almost about to enroll in a culinary academy to get professional education. But the last minute, had a change of heart. (There again, effects of the same social pressure…)

Therefore, I turned toward things I was sure that I could “build a career” on. I even took aviation academy exams. But did not want to continue. Because deep down, I knew what I was looking for was not there. All I was into was discovering new places, new tastes, cooking and setting up tables for my friends, building bridges between people, getting to know new people, new cultures, digging into new languages and telling new stories to my loved ones… Once again, I was caught up in a confusion.

(And in those kind of times when I was full of thoughts, I would pick a place calm, with preferably a vista to gaze off into, get a cup of coffee and enjoy it. That was my little meditation. When I think about those times, I realize that those were probably the only moments where I would not puzzle over this overwhelming issue for me.)

One day, while I was coming back to my office with all those thoughts in my mind, I realized that I was passing by the same culinary academy that I stopped by two years ago. Without thinking twice, I rushed in and left having enrolled! When I stepped out, I literally felt like I left almost all the burden that the confusion in my head imposed on my shoulders, inside. (Of course, that feeling could as well be due to my salary, 90 % of which I had left inside for the forthcoming months. 🙂 But I did not care. Because for the first time in a long time, I was actually “light”.)

I spent following months running around for my everyday occupation in a busy city for hours, returning to the office to work overtime, while in the meantime assisting for the workshops at nights at the academy and attending classes at the weekends at the same time. Most of the time I would go home at midnight. And when I could find free time, I would spend it to discover new places and enjoy some coffee there, against a beautiful view. For the first time in years, I could feel that the time had finally stopped running ahead of me. Time and me, we were flowing in harmony.

There came a point where I could no longer resist my inner voice. Therefore, I quitted my job (wrapped up the book I mentioned above which I had been with me throughout that time, delivered it to be shipped back to my friend right before I leave, – which really had felt like a movie-like coincidence), packed up and sailed out for new places that I have never seen.

And this journey took me to places where I could only imagine; to discoveries that I could never guess and to some of the hardest kitchens to work with world-famous chefs. Things that I probably could not do if I stayed in my comfort zone.

Now I dedicate most of my time, (which is one of the most valuable things in life) and my effort to the things I love the most in life:

Traveling, discovering new places, new faces, new tastes, setting up tables for my friends and writing/telling stories.

And above all, enjoying the moment with a cup of coffee. Hence the name of my blog:

Restless Coffeeholic.

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The Story of How the ‘Restless Coffeeholic’ Was Started

("Raison d'être" of This Blog)

Travelling is one of the things that makes life meaningful for me, like for many of you out there.

But doing only touristic trips on previously mapped out routes with commonplace information simply has never been satisfying to me.

I believe that every place has many unique stories of its own to tell which unveil new layers for you to see, preventing them from becoming another generic touristic destination among others.

Yet I realized that I did not have a good source to go to when I needed to learn more about what I was looking at.

So, I decided to create one.

This blog aims to provide valuable travel content, giving you all the information you need for a great trip plus a profound understanding of the lands that you may/will set foot in which will enable you to see what you are looking at with more than just of the eyes of a tourist.

If you want to join me throughout my discoveries, follow me and maybe even write to me if you feel like.

Last but not least, those who are still in the search for their own meaning of their life, I hope you can find it as soon as possible.

Just remember to trust that it has its own timing and keep on looking.