Welcome to Living Well — our spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these individuals' lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

IF YOU'VE DONE THE VALUES DECK, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FIVE VALUES? TELL US HOW ONE OF THEM MANIFESTS IN YOUR LIFE.

Belonging, Fun, Faith, Curiosity, Compassion. In my most difficult moments, my life has been lead by curiosity. What else is out there? How good could it get? What can change? It is never too late to start anew.

What does a life well-lived look like?

A well-lived life is one that is full: full of deep connection, full of awe, full of laughter, full of support to flex in and out of different seasons.

My version of success is…

A satisfaction with what has passed and excitement for what is to come. If I am looking forward to how I get to spend my time and the people I get to spend it with, I am truly successful.

In what way are you seeking to grow right now? WHO EMBODIES THIS QUALITY?

Right now I’m expanding my capacity. I think of my younger self whose drive, discipline, and ability to analyze deeply seemed endless. What was once so readily available has been my toughest challenge to surrender when my body started saying NO. Now I’m slowly rebuilding my capacity to hold these energies in a much more boundaried way.

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

Today I know that my own comfort, ease, happiness, and how I spend my time matter and have inherent value. That what I crave is a roadmap rather than frivolity.

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

I’m a fast learner. I am excellent at synthesizing disparate information and solving unstructured problems. I’m excellent at challenging preexisting assumptions.

whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

Is it too cheesy if I say you, Jaimi? You are truly soft AND strong. Welcoming yet discerning. You make it all look easy without ever dismissing the hard.

IS THERE A QUOTE OR MANTRA YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO?

1. “It's no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” - Jiddu Krishnamurti 

2. This isn't necessarily a specific quote, but recently I have been returning to the metaphor of trusting your timing as a GPS rerouting - you don’t have to believe you should be grateful for a negative experience (a road closure) to believe that there will be another perfectly aligned path that you wouldn’t have taken otherwise. 

3. “True strength is not necessarily about skill or adeptness. It’s about vitality. […] ‘A strength is what you do that makes you feel strengthened.’ It’s not necessarily what you’re good at or what you’re capable of - it’s what feels amazing when you do it. Ergo, a weakness is the stuff you do that makes you feel weakened. Deceptively simple. Revolutionary. We will never be great at the things we have to try to be good at. But we can be amazing at the things we’re easily great at.” - Danielle Laporte quoting Marcus Buckingham in her book The Fire Starter Sessions

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez: I read this in 10 minute increments because it brings up big feelings. It also shows us how deeply human every part of our world is. As women we make a difference simply by showing up and being in the room. 

Wintering by Katherine May: This book gives a voice to the tedious and difficult task of lying fallow. Our culture tends to think about acute points of hardship but overlooks the reality of ongoing struggle that many of us have faced or will face. This book welcomes you in these seasons and offers nuance, understanding, and camaraderie.

What are you grateful for today?

I'm grateful for spacious mornings and to feel clarity about the day ahead.

Petkana Vatchev is a seeker, ceramicist, and management consultant specializing in enterprise technology strategy. She proudly holds equally her analytical part with her soul-driven one. To keep in touch with Petkana, connect with her on Instagram.