Ten years ago, I had a brush with mortality that changed the way I see life.
I was in a car accident. My friend was driving her car on a highway in Romania. It was a rainy day, the kind where the world outside the window feels blurry and muted. We were heading to a shopping mall in Bucharest, chatting about everything and nothing, when it happened.
As we overtook a truck, my friend drove into a hole filled with water. She didn’t see it was a hole—just thought it was a puddle. When she tried to avoid it, the car spun out of control.
We wobbled left, then right. Left, then right again. The tires screeched against the wet asphalt. And then, just like that, we veered off the road.
The front-right side of the car hit the dirt, and I’ll never forget what happened next. The car flipped—once, then twice—before landing on its wheels in the bushes.
I can still feel the thud, hear the crunch of metal and glass, and smell the damp earth mixed with fear. Miraculously, I walked away without a scratch. My friend had a few bruises but was otherwise fine. We were lucky.
But the experience was terrifying.
It was a stark reminder that tomorrow is never promised.
The Perfect Time Doesn’t Exist
As we close 2024 and step into 2025, I want to share something this experience taught me.
So often, we get stuck waiting for the perfect time to do the things we want. We convince ourselves we’ll act “when the stars align.”
- I’ll start that hobby when I have more free time.
- I’ll change my career when I feel more confident.
- I’ll travel when I’ve saved enough.
- I’ll start a family when I’ve bought a house.
But here’s the truth: those perfect conditions? They rarely exist.
I used to have a long list of “requirements” for my life—hoops I thought I needed to jump through before I could allow myself to do the things that mattered.
One of the best examples of this is my son, Adam.
Letting Go of the “When, Then”
Before Adam, I had all kinds of rules for when I’d be “ready” to become a mother. I didn’t want to bring a child into a rental apartment. I wanted a certain level of income and savings. I wanted security. Stability. Predictability.
But if I’m honest, none of those things were real requirements. They were stories I made up in my mind. Stories that kept me stuck, waiting, and afraid.
For years, I told myself, “I’ll have children when…” But the truth is, life doesn’t wait.
Adam came into my life at the most unexpected time. I was living in a rental house, with far less security than I thought I needed. But do you know what I realized?
All those “requirements” I thought were so important didn’t matter at all.
What mattered was being present. Embracing the moment. Trusting myself to figure it out as I went along.
Life Happens in the Present
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: life doesn’t wait for you to feel ready.
The perfect moment you’re waiting for? It’s an illusion. The stars don’t magically align. Circumstances will never be 100% ideal.
And if you keep waiting for someday, you risk missing out on the magic of today.
So, let me ask you: What are you waiting for?
- Are you waiting for the “right time” to start that dream project?
- Are you postponing joy until your circumstances improve?
- Are you telling yourself, “I’ll finally live when…”?
I’ve been there. I know how easy it is to fall into that trap. But I also know that life has a funny way of unfolding beautifully when you stop waiting and start living.
Your Challenge for 2025
As we step into the new year, I want to challenge you to let go of the when, then mindset.
Think of one thing you’ve been putting off. Just one.
Maybe it’s taking a leap in your career. Or planning a trip. Or spending more time with your loved ones.
Whatever it is, stop waiting for the perfect moment. Instead, ask yourself:
- What small step can I take today?
- How can I embrace the messiness of now?
Because here’s the truth: life is messy. It’s unpredictable. But it’s also where the magic happens.
A Final Thought
When I look back on that car accident, I’m grateful for the reminder it gave me. It shook me awake to the reality that life is fragile and fleeting.
And when I look at my son, Adam, I’m reminded of what can happen when you let go of your rules, your timelines, and your fears.
You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
Life is happening right now. Don’t let it pass you by.
So, as we step into 2025, I invite you to take the leap. Whatever you’re waiting for—start today.
Warmly,
Florina
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