The Zero Point - Where the Journey to Mariposa Began

Did you ever have that feeling? Standing still in the middle of your life, looking around 360°, and realizing you have no idea where you're headed?

That all the paths you were told to follow no longer make sense?

You’re over 30; you should be in a relationship, own a house, have kids...

But at this moment, you feel completely disconnected from those expectations.

And maybe, just maybe, this is exactly where you’re meant to be.

The zero point, the place where everything stops, is not the end.

The zero point is the beginning. It is the moment when you step away from the noise, the pre-programmed script, and listen to your heart for the first time. This is how my story began.

I was on one of my solo travels, a holiday rather than a work trip, when I found myself sitting on a cliffside in a small coastal town in Portugal. Below me, the waves crashed against the rugged rocks, wild, untamed, relentless.

My heart was racing. Another panic attack.

The thought crossed my mind: Can I disappear now? But as I sat there, I started listening, not just to my fear, but to the ocean’s rhythm. The waves moved in cycles, some fierce, others gentle. And suddenly, I understood. This too shall pass. Like the waves, life ebbs and flows. The expectations, the societal pressures, the judgment, I needed to let it all go.

That moment marked the beginning of my own cleansing. I was broken. I faced the darkest corners of my soul. I was alone. But I also had a blank page in front of me. I could become whoever I wanted to be.

And then, I discovered surfing.

It became my therapy, my way of surrendering to something greater than myself.

The ocean humbles you, teaches you patience, resilience, and above all, freedom. 

Riding a wave is a moment of pure release, a lesson in letting go of fear.

It was on those waves that my mind opened to the realization that anything is possible.

I lost my heart to this place. That cliff where I had once felt lost became the exact spot where I found clarity. I knew, deep in my bones, that this was going to be my home.

A year later, I returned, not just for another visit, but with a van full of surfboards. 

Through the amazing people I had met on my journey, I had collected boards to donate to a project in Cabo Verde. A friend of mine had started SMILES NGO, an initiative that helps underprivileged kids and adults experience the therapeutic magic of surfing.

For a few moments in the water, they could feel free, smile, and reconnect with joy.

That project became a new purpose for me. Giving back, because I could. Because we all have the power to uplift those with fewer opportunities.

During this time, my connection with this small Portuguese town deepened. I spent every free moment here, staying at Roots Guesthouse, where a warm Portuguese family made me feel at home. My days were fluid; I would wake up, have coffee with no set plans, and end up surfing private beaches or sharing fresh percebes cooked under a full moon. I felt alive in a way I never had before.

At the same time, my professional life as an export manager for the furniture company, “Ethnicraft” was thriving. I traveled extensively, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Russia, Israel, always on the move. But as I grew into this new version of myself, I became increasingly distant from the structures I had once believed in. I was saying goodbye to the old and making space for something new.

One day, out of curiosity, I walked into a real estate agency. A woman, highly recommended by a friend, welcomed me. I asked her to show me ruins, the lowest-budget homes she had in her database. One house caught my eye immediately, but it was far beyond my means.

Owning a home as a single woman, with a mid-level salary, no savings, and no financial support? Impossible. So I parked the idea.

But life has a way of bringing you back to the things meant for you.

Six months later, I ran into that same real estate agent again. That house, the one I had dismissed as impossible, was still available. On a spontaneous day with no plans, I convinced a friend to go see it with me.

The drive alone filled me with excitement. As I stepped out of the car, I smiled.

A small, forgotten house on a hill, in a quiet farming village.

The land, 2,000m², was overgrown, wild, untouched, but I could see it: a lemon tree, a fig tree, plum trees, pears, apples. The house was a ruin, but I didn’t care. I saw four walls, a barn, and a dream. I imagined my future here, minimalist, self-sufficient, living with nature. It did not matter how long it would take. I had time.

The money, however, was another story.

I moved back in with my parents. Work travel had become so intense that my rental apartment felt pointless. My once-beloved home was empty; I had even stopped decorating, something unthinkable for me, someone who lives and breathes interior design. I craved something real. My own space.

With determination, I pursued every avenue. A friend initially offered to invest, but it didn’t feel right. Then, against all odds, I secured a bank loan in Portugal. The process was chaotic, full of obstacles, but with help from my incredible real estate agent, I did it. On April 4th, 2019, I got the call. The house was mine.

The project was massive. But then, life sent me someone, a handyman with a shared vision. Together, we stripped back ceilings, painted walls, crafted a chandelier from a wind-shaped branch found in the garden. Friends covered the walls with their art. The house became a freestyle experiment, evolving with love and creativity.

For the professional phase, I collaborated with YUMA CONCEPT, a young architectural studio that perfectly aligned with my vision of natural materials, minimalism, biophilic principles.

We designed the barn as a small studio for future guests.

And so, Project Mariposa was born.

Tips for Buying & Renovating a House in Portugal (Ericeira Rural Area)

1. Understand the Bureaucracy – Buying property in Portugal involves paperwork, NIF numbers, bank accounts, and often, a lawyer. Have a good real estate agent who knows the system.

2. Budget for More Than You Expect – Renovating an old house will reveal surprises. Be financially prepared for hidden costs.

3. Embrace Local Materials – Stone, clay, reclaimed wood—these materials last longer, age beautifully, and create a home that feels part of the land.

4. Think About Self-Sufficiency – Consider solar energy, rainwater collection, and a vegetable garden. The more independent you can be, the better.

5. Respect the Existing Structures – Don’t erase the history. Work with the house, not against it.

6. Integrate Nature – Create indoor-outdoor flow, maximize natural light, and preserve as much greenery as possible.

7. Be Patient & Enjoy the Process – The journey of creating a home is as important as the home itself.

In my next post, I’ll take you deeper into the architectural journey and the steps involved in purchasing and restoring a home in Portugal. Stay tuned!