A Decade of Becoming: 10 Years of Growth, Grace, and Resilience

There's something deeply powerful about reflection, about pausing long enough to look back and truly see how far you've come.

As I step into a new chapter, I find myself revisiting the past 10 years of my life and reflecting on just how much I have grown and evolved. What started as a simple birthday tradition turned into something much more meaningful, a journey of growth, resilience, discovery, and becoming.

This is my story.

2015 – Joy in the Journey

At 28, life was vibrant and full of connection.

I was working at Accent Marketing, surrounded by incredible people who quickly became like family. I had been there for about two years, and by then, everyone knew just how much I loved my birthday. One of my dear friends, Alicia, decided to surprise me with tickets to The Colour Festival, because she knew how much I loved Soca music and simply having a good time. And trust me, I did. I danced non-stop, completely lost in the music and the moment.

Contrary to what some might think, I'm not much of a drinker, even though you might spot me holding two cups in my hands (lol). My energy has always come from within. Music has a way of making you lose yourself and dance like no one's watching, and that's something that hasn't changed over the years.

Once the music is right, I'm in my element. And that's something I'll always hold onto, because life is truly about doing what makes you happy.

2016 – The Power of Starting Over

At 29, life shifted.

I was made redundant from a job I had held for three years, a moment that could have broken me, but instead, it built me. That year taught me so much about myself, my determination, my persistence, and my ability to bounce back in the face of uncertainty. I learned to say yes, even when I wasn't sure how things would work out, and to trust myself to figure it out along the way.

That was the year I truly took control of my life instead of letting it control me. I was bold. I was determined. And it paid off.

By the end of that year, I had started teaching French, launched my marketing company, and was working full-time at Courts Jamaica Ltd. It was the beginning of many firsts, each one shaping me into the woman I am today.

As I look back at that version of Kristina, I can't help but feel proud of her. You've come a long way. You've been tested in ways you never expected, but somehow, some way, you've always found the strength to push through.

2017 – Stepping Into the Light

Turning 30 marked a pivotal moment.

It felt like a door I had been standing in front of for years, finally deciding to walk through. I began to seriously reflect on my future. What I wanted to achieve over the next 10 years was to start a birthday photoshoot tradition, one that would document my evolution as I grew older.

It was more than just pictures. I wanted to reveal a different side of myself, the side I had kept hidden from the world. I was so used to being behind the lens, but this time, I chose to step in front of it and truly be seen. To embrace the bold, fierce version of Kristina. With my vision and the photographer's guidance, we created something I'm still incredibly proud of.

I've never been afraid of getting older; if anything, I've always looked forward to it. I realised early on that one day simply wasn't enough to celebrate life, so I turned my birthday into a month-long celebration. After all, there's so much to be grateful for.

Life hasn't always been easy, but keeping a smile on my face, even in the midst of adversity, has always come naturally to me. There's always sunshine after the rain. And even in the darkest moments, I choose to look forward to that sunshine.

2018 – Breaking Limits

At 31, I did what once felt impossible: I worked six jobs.

Yes, six. And you're probably wondering how that was even possible. Well, let me tell you.

At the start of 2018, I was already juggling three roles: my marketing company, teaching French, and doing professional photography, three things I was, and still am, deeply passionate about. Then I took on a role as an Office Manager at a security company. While working there, I reconnected with some old friends from the Music Industry, which led to me working the gate at their weekly event. And that's where things took an unexpected turn.

After the events, we would head over to RJR, and before I knew it, I was allowed to become a Producer for a weekly programme. That quickly evolved into me becoming a co-host on the show. It was during that time that I was given the name "Golden Voice", a title that has stayed with me ever since.

My time on the radio was truly an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to meet and interview some amazingly talented individuals, and it opened a whole new world for me.

If anyone had told me I'd be managing six jobs at once, I would have said it was impossible. But somehow, I made it happen. That year showed me just how capable I truly am, and if I had the chance to do it all over again, my answer would be a definite yes.

2019 – Surrounded by Love

At 32, love found me in every space.

I had always made it a tradition not to work on my birthday, choosing instead to have the entire day to myself, staying up from 12 a.m., receiving calls and messages, starting my day already feeling loved and celebrated. But that year was a little different.

My birthday fell on a day when I had my French class, and of course, if I was going to show up, I had to dress the part. When I arrived, my students had been planning behind my back. A birthday cake and KFC, two of my absolute favourites, were waiting on the table. We laughed, we celebrated, we ate, and I felt something I don't take for granted: being truly seen by the people you pour into.

The celebrations didn't stop there. When I got to my job at the security company, they had a birthday party waiting with more cake, more food, and more love. Later that day, I visited one of my marketing clients and received even more special treatment. By the end of the day, love had come from every direction, from people who knew me in completely different contexts, and every single one of them showed up.

It was overwhelming in the best way possible. Truly one of my best birthdays ever.

That same year, I also had the opportunity to travel to several countries: the USA, Cuba, Mexico, and Turks and Caicos. Little did I know that it would be quite some time before I would experience that kind of freedom again. But I'm glad I said yes to every stamp in that passport. I'm glad I went.

2020 – Strength in Uncertainty

At 33, the world changed, and so did my life.

It began with such promise. In December 2019, I hosted my very first fish fry, saving towards a dream I had carried for years, purchasing my first car as a birthday gift to myself. For the first time, it truly felt like this was the year I would make it happen.

But life had other plans.

I remember the week everything changed like it was yesterday. I had my French class on March 10, 2020, and by that Friday, all schools were closed. Just like that, I lost my income from teaching. My marketing clients' businesses came to a halt. I was placed on a break from co-hosting. Within days, I went from multiple streams of income to none.

Everything felt uncertain. The money I had saved had to be redirected to cover bills and basic necessities. I felt lost. Hopeless. Disheartened. But even in that darkness, I found strength. I adapted. I endured.

And when my birthday came, I still found a way to celebrate. That year, I chose to do a different kind of photoshoot, one that reflected growth, resilience, and strength, even in uncertainty. It was my first time being photographed by a female photographer, and she did an incredible job, capturing a version of me that, despite everything, was still standing tall.

Because resilience isn't about having it all together, it's about showing up anyway. Even when showing up looks nothing like you expected.

2020 was truly a life-changing year. One I will never forget.

2021 – The Art of Pivoting

At 34, I learned how to adjust to a new normal.

After months of lockdown, 2021 felt like it would be the year things returned to normal, but instead, the world kept shifting. Businesses slowly began to reopen, and I had to find new ways to stay connected and relevant. Teaching moved entirely online, and with it came a whole new set of challenges: adapting content, learning new platforms, and finding ways to engage students through a screen.

I also started three new businesses during that time, going back to the drawing board and creating opportunities where there seemed to be none. When my birthday came around, I couldn't celebrate the way I truly wanted, but that didn't stop me. I made the most of it and found joy in the moment, because nothing, not even COVID, was going to take that away from me.

That year taught me that growth often comes disguised as disruption. And no matter what life throws your way, you can always find a way to pivot and still succeed.

2022 – Choosing Joy and Peace

At 35, I made a conscious decision to live fully and intentionally.

If there's one thing the pandemic taught me, it's this: never put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Life can change in an instant, so it's important to truly live in the moment. After spending so much time indoors, 2022 gave me the chance to be outside again, back in the entertainment industry I've always loved, doing what lights me up, and I didn't take that freedom for granted.

But that year also brought a deeper level of self-awareness. I came to realise just how important mental well-being truly is, and how much it impacts every aspect of life. Being in an environment that drains you, mentally and emotionally, is not the way to live. 2022 forced me to look inward, reflect, and make decisions that prioritised my peace and overall well-being.

That year reminded me that peace is not a luxury; it's a necessity. And choosing it, even when it's hard, is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself.

2023 – Rediscovering Freedom

At 36, I found my way back to something I thought I had lost, my love for travel.

After everything that had happened in the years before, I had slowly given up on the idea of travelling again. I had made peace with staying right here in Jamaica, finding joy in exploring my own island. But life had other plans.

In January, my aunt visited and invited me to spend part of my summer with her. At first, I wasn't too keen, but something inside me shifted. That excitement I once had began to resurface. And by June 2023, I made the decision: I was going to travel.

For the first time, I visited New York, a place I had always dreamed of. I walked through Times Square, took the train, and soaked in the energy of a city unlike anything I had ever felt before. I also visited New Jersey, and instantly fell in love. There was something about it that felt like home: the food, the people, the energy. And of course, no surprise here, one of my favourite moments was going to a Jamaican club and dancing the night away.

What started as hesitation turned into one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I met some truly amazing people, many of whom have become great friends to this day. And that trip reignited something in me, a love for exploring, for stepping outside of what's familiar, and a reminder that life still has so much to offer.

2024 – Growth Through Challenge

At 37, I was stretched in new ways.

Like every other year, I spent my birthday with my brother, someone who always finds a way to make my day extra special. This year, he surprised me by bringing along two of our friends, both incredibly talented singers, who serenaded me at dinner. It was completely unexpected, and in that moment, I felt so loved and so special. Despite a few hiccups along the way, it turned out to be a truly beautiful birthday.

That year also brought new experiences, including my first trip to the Dominican Republic. I didn't quite know what to expect, but the moment I arrived, I fell in love with the culture, the food, and the beaches. Boca Chica quickly became one of my favourite beaches in the Caribbean, and in less than two weeks, I found myself thinking, I could live here.

2024 also pushed me into opportunities that tested my strength, my patience, and my resilience in ways I didn't expect. There were moments I questioned whether I could handle it all, but as I've done time and time again, I found a way through. And through it all, I was reminded that even in uncertainty, I can rise.

Never turn down an opportunity, even if you're unsure of the outcome. You'll figure it out along the way.

2025 – The Year That Tested Everything

At 38, life presented both its toughest challenges and its most meaningful lessons.

It began with promise, but as the months went by, things took an unexpected turn. There was loss, hurt, and disappointment. Moments of doubt that ran deeper than I expected. By the time my birthday came around, I had to dig deep to find that celebratory spirit within me.

But as always, I found a way.

My brother and I went out to dinner at an Indian restaurant. And if you know me, you already know how much I love food, especially Indian cuisine, which holds a special place in my heart because of my heritage. The food was incredible, the service was exceptional, and for that moment, I truly felt like a VIP. As usual, my brother went all out, okay, maybe he didn't rent out the entire restaurant, but it definitely felt that way!

2025 was a year of contrasts, loss and redemption, disappointment and growth, doubt and joy. It stretched me in ways I didn't expect, but it also reminded me of who I am at my core.

Resilient. And once again, I did, because that's who I am.

The Woman I've Become

Looking back, I see a woman who has been tested time and time again, but never defeated.

A woman who has learned to adapt, to rise, to create opportunities, and to find joy even in the most uncertain moments. A woman who has danced in fields of coloured powder, celebrated in the middle of a pandemic, built businesses from nothing, and found pieces of home in places she never expected.

A woman who continues to evolve.

There is still so much I want to achieve, so much more I want to experience, but if the last 10 years have taught me anything, it's this:

No matter what life brings, I will always find a way.

To everyone who has been part of my journey, thank you. Your presence, your support, and your love have never gone unnoticed. You are woven into my story more than you know.

Here's to more memories, more growth, and more life.

Here's to the next chapter, to growth, to purpose, and to resilience.

And most importantly, here's to thriving.

Until then… walk good, and don't forget to show love and respect to everyone you encounter. You never know what someone might be going through.

Here's to becoming.