Thriving Through Transitions and Self-Discovery

For some time now, I have sensed the anticipation of change and transformation. This feeling became clearer on the last day of summer, grew stronger with the transition into autumn, and by winter it had evolved into a decision.

Swimming in the sea feels like a kind of meditation for me. I close my eyes and swim. The season ended earlier due to the rain, and the barrier in the sea had already been removed. The refreshingly cold water didn’t attract many swimmers either. This gave me the rare opportunity to swim peacefully with my eyes closed, focusing solely on counting strokes and feeling the caress of the water on my skin. By the fifty-fifth stroke, my thoughts drifted six years back. At that time, I swam a lot, and I wrote a lot. I also wanted to mark the year I turned 55 with a book composed of 55 inspirations. But as women often feel – that it wasn’t enough – I wanted to add five models. I knew the book would cover the DUMO wheel of evolution, the AEIOU leadership model, and centron. Soon, I envisioned the fourth model as the eight pillars of the bridge to modern leadership. However, I had no idea what the fifth model would be. It took almost an hour of swimming to realize that the fifth model would be the circle of collaboration. Subsequent swims and connections with the oceans brought the realization that within the AEIOU leadership model, I could connect the wisdom of the five continents.

Water always helps me translate my mood into words. This was also true on a day when I felt deep unrest over the past few weeks, a sense of reordering and the heralding of change. Circumstances are shifting, and so am I. Outwardly, I reflected this with a new haircut, much like nine years ago when I published my first book, signaling the start of a new professional journey. Back then, I decided to stop straightening my hair and let my natural curls flow freely. This summer's swims led me to the decision to stop dyeing my hair. I resolved to embrace myself as I am. My graying hair is now on transparent display for all to see.

Partly, this decision stemmed from guilt over using hair dye chemicals, but even more from a conscious direction toward transitioning into the crone phase. Maiden, mature woman, crone. That is the progression, and I feel it is my time to step into the third phase.

Along with embracing my natural hair, I decided to cut it as well. When friends and acquaintances looked at me in surprise, I laughed and explained that I was cutting away everything unnecessary. I began to feel the need to cut internally, too, as thoughts about certain projects or relationships that once meant a lot to me started weighing on me in ways I hadn’t noticed before. At fifty, I made a golden cut; now, I am making a platinum cut because I want to focus on gathering wisdom and passing it on to future generations.

This gave me even more drive to cut away everything that no longer matters to me, everything that no longer aligns with the essence of baba, as we in Slovenia call a wise woman. I didn’t expect, however, that this would also bring unwanted cuts, perhaps triggered by my own intention. I experienced those cuts, too. It wasn’t easy, but I accept them and learn from them.

Water helps me stay transparent. It’s as if its clear translucency flows into me, into my thoughts and heart. I want to continue cutting with transparency. Not by tearing down walls behind me, but by cutting in a way that liberates both me and others, so we can co-create anew without being tied to old relationships.

That’s why, with the arrival of winter, I decided on a new career. After over 38 years in business, I am stepping onto a new path: the professional leadership of the non-profit institution AEIOU Universe. My aim is to spread the wisdom contained in the AEIOU leadership model across all areas of life and to all generations.

I will continue to passionately organize the AEIOU Breakthrough for Female Leaders program (the ninth generation begins on January 24, 2025 – welcome to join: https://breakthrough.aeiou-universe.eu/), the AEIOU Executive: Future Leader in May in pristine Gozd Martuljek, Slovenia (https://executive.aeiou-universe.eu/) ?and we are adding programs for young people.

Thus, for the second time, I am closing my sole proprietorship. The first time was in December 2011, when I embarked on the challenging journey of rescuing the company Svea. This time, I am closing it to follow my dreams. In doing so, I find support in the opening words of my dear friend Nada Zupan in my first book:

“Looking back, these decisions made sense. Sonja is a typical representative of what we today call a protean career, after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his form at will. A protean career is not tied to a specific profession or organization; the individual chooses what matters in life and work, continually learns, and seeks new experiences. This path is closer to the ideal of self-realization and generally leads to greater satisfaction, with career success measured by personal expectations that go beyond status and economic outcomes. One can be successful even if the career path does not only lead upward, but also sideways, downwards, in circles, spirals, or in any other direction.”

Wishing you many fulfilling transitions in 2025. As a companion into a blooming year, I share with you 52 words for thriving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IAJhf0pjIo

With love,

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