When You Know, You Know
Lovely lil photo captured on a road trip exploring Gran Canaria with my favorite this year.
I Never Really Got It, Until I Did
You’ve probably heard the saying before: “when you know, you know.” Maybe you’ve even seen it trending as a sound on social media. For the longest time, I didn’t fully understand what it meant - until I did.
I had heard people say it about love many times, but I hadn’t experienced that kind of clarity, or conviction myself - with anyone or anything for that matter. In pessimistic moments, I thought people said it just to feel more secure about a decision they couldn’t take back. In optimistic moments (which luckily occurred more often), I believed people truly felt this deep sense of knowing. And in those moments, I was hoping that one day I would feel it too. So, I decided to trust that at some point in the future, it would make sense to me. And eventually it did.
Yes, It’s About Love, But Not Only That
Okay, I know what you’re probably thinking. So, let me set the record straight. Yes, this blog post was inspired by my incredible boyfriend, Matija. But it’s also about knowing in a broader sense: having that rare, undeniable clarity about anything important - your passion, purpose, career, or even where you belong. It can be tough to recognize, but when it appears, it is truly powerful. If you haven’t felt it yet, maybe my reflections will help you notice it in your own life. Sometimes it's right in front of us - we just need to pause for a moment and listen. Other times, it may be missing because a) it’s not our time yet, or b) we haven’t been listening to ourselves enough. By the end of this post, I hope you’ll be closer to recognizing and having the courage to act on your own “knowings.”
Taken from my first solo trip in Mexico, after moving out of NYC in 2021.
The Hardest Yes I’ve Ever Said
If you haven’t heard me say it already: moving to Europe has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Sounds crazy, right?! Though it may appear to be quite glamorous from the outside looking in, if you are not from the EU, the process is more intense than you might imagine. It’s full of planning, administrative work, and bureaucratic hurdles. This wasn’t a vacation or short-term stay; it was a long-term move.
Though I may not live in Europe forever, committing to a master’s degree here was the first step toward a long-term stay abroad. And, while I felt excited for this new chapter, I also felt the weight of everything I was leaving behind. For nearly 25 years, Delaware was my home. But when I visited Gran Canaria in 2023, something shifted within me. I felt connected in a way I couldn’t explain. I felt a greater sense of peace and belonging here. Yes, I’d had similar adventures in other parts of the world - meeting amazing people, surfing regularly, taking in beautiful nature all around - but this was different. Deeper. Aligned. Now, I can say with certainty: I just knew I had to come back.
After completing my 200-hour yoga teacher training in Ometepe, Nicaragua back in 2023.
Have You Ever Felt That Kind of Knowing?
A knowing so deep it's undeniable. If you ignore it, it keeps coming back like an itch that you can’t seem to scratch away. It nags at you until you finally listen to it. I’m not talking about a gut feeling or your intuition, but a rare, life-altering clarity about something big like a career move, a relocation, or a relationship. When it comes, it’s thrilling and also terrifying. Acting on it will stretch you far beyond your comfort zone that, at some point, you will likely feel fear more than anything else, but hopefully that doesn’t stop you. Because at the very same time, you'll feel an incredible sense of alignment that outweighs the fear. This is the kind of knowing I’m talking about. So, stop and take a moment to think about it: have you ever experienced this before? Did you take action or let it pass you by?
Surfing one of my favorite waves in Popoyo, Nicaragua back in 2023.
Four Knowings That Changed My Life
In the past five years, I’ve had four of these knowings that I couldn’t ignore:
Moving out of NYC in 2021 to travel and work remotely. Though it was scary at first, after just a few months, I was learning, growing, and connecting with so many incredible people. I even fell in love with new hobbies like surfing and latin dancing which I’ve continued to this day.
Quitting my full-time job in 2023 to invest more into my passions. This was not always easy, a bit messy, and financially stressful - but very much worth it. I became a certified yoga teacher in Nicaragua, attended a Spanish school in Colombia, surfed in Gran Canaria, even took part in a 10-day silent meditation retreat, and now I’m pursuing a master’s in Europe.
Deciding I needed to live in Gran Canaria. I struggled a lot with this one because I felt like the universe was against me at times. Everything felt like an uphill battle - visa issues, logistics and timing, financial setbacks - but coming back for my master’s made it clear: this is where I am meant to be right now.
Meeting Matija. I didn’t know it at the exact moment I met him, but something deep down knew he was going to be extra special to me. And, now I can’t imagine my life without him.
Each knowing came on so strong that I had to act on it - though I never took the decision lightly. I always asked for spiritual guidance and universal confirmation. I took my time to really think about how these decisions would align with my lifestyle, relationships, and goals. Although the decisions scared me at times, the choice was always crystal clear in the end. When you know, you know. And, you cannot deny it.
Matija and I mid-way through a beautiful hike in Tejeda, Gran Canaria in 2025.
Why Am I Sharing This?
Because I believe too many people ignore their knowings out of fear - fear of failure, judgement of others, or the unknown of what could happen. These are common culprits that stop many of us from listening to ourselves. I’ve been there too. But your knowings? They’re guiding you. Every knowing is a stepping stone toward who you’re meant to become. Each time you trust yourself enough to take a step forward, or what may feel like a very large leap, you are transforming into a stronger, wiser, and more authentic version of yourself. You are shedding the unnecessary layers and facades you’ve put on to blend in or protect yourself. Fear will inevitably show up, but what’s on the other side? Pure magic - sparkles.
I’m endlessly grateful for my knowings and everything they’ve taught me. Like I said before, they don’t come around often. But when they do, I listen. My hope is that you do too, because if not, you might miss out on something pretty extraordinary. So, trust yourself. Because when you know, you know.