Hi there! I’m Katrin Troeva, and I started Happiness Is My Direction to share the things that make me happy and, most of all, to write about joy.
I’m from Bulgaria, a beautiful country on the Balkan Peninsula – one of the oldest in Europe. It’s a place of breathtaking nature, rich history, and deep-rooted traditions in food, music, dance, and craftsmanship.
Here, you’ll find glimpses of my life, stories from my travels across Europe, and little reminders to see the brighter side of things. I hope my words bring a smile to your face – or maybe even inspire your next adventure.
My family and loved ones
My family is big, loving, and impossible to sum up in just a few sentences. They’ve done so much for me. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the chance to follow my dreams and study for a master’s in Denmark. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today – honest, determined (some might say stubborn, and they wouldn’t be wrong!), kind, and thoughtful. Or at least, that’s how I see myself.
As a kid, I was a bit of a nerd. My idea of fun? Staying home and doing homework. I had plenty of friends, don’t get me wrong, but school always came first. Looking back, I’m grateful for that version of me – the responsible one – because she helped me get to where I am today. Of course, I’ve made mistakes along the way (who hasn’t?), but as long as I learn from them, I’ll never regret them.
Now, I live in Italy with someone I love endlessly. His name is Eugenio Conti (yes, he’s Italian – tall, dark curls, very handsome). But more importantly, he’s thoughtful, supportive, and caring. He always tries his best, and that’s something I admire about him every single day.
I fell for him the moment I first saw him six years ago (true story!). We met at a friend’s birthday party in Aalborg (Denmark), and every time I think about that night, I can’t help but laugh. Why? Because I really didn’t want to go.
At the time, I was in my first year of my master’s, drowning in study material with barely any time to breathe – let alone party. The idea of going out felt more like an obligation than something fun. Total nerd move, right? But in the end, I went, and that night changed everything. It became one of the most memorable moments of my life.
Maybe because I was so unprepared for love, our relationship has had its ups and downs, especially in the beginning. No one ever said love was easy. And if they did, they were lying, because love doesn’t go easy on anyone!
Anyway, Happiness Is My Direction exists partly because of him. So much of what I write here is about our travels, our happy moments, and everything we’ve shared over the years. But you’ll also find plenty about my favorite things – good food, my love for animals (especially dogs, which is why I have a Jack Russell Terrier named Leksi), and my passion for working out and eating healthy. And yes, that means I’ll be sharing some delicious, healthy sweet treats too!
My background
My background is… let’s say, unexpected for someone who ended up as a blogger, SEO specialist, and digital marketer. Sometimes, I wonder how I got here myself!
I have a professional qualification in accounting from high school, a B.A. in Economics of Real Estate, and an MSc in International Business Economics. After all those years studying economics, you’d think I’d be working in finance or real estate – but nope, here I am in marketing. Life works in funny ways, doesn’t it?
Since 2017, I’ve taken countless marketing courses and built my career in digital marketing. Now, I work for an Italian company, focusing on SEO and content marketing – two things I absolutely love.
And that’s also why I started Happiness Is My Direction. Because, let’s be real – I’d do marketing even in my free time!
Fun facts about me
Since you made it this far, here are a few random things about me:
- I never skip workouts – even on vacation. Sightseeing and a workout? Yes, please!
- I love trying local sweets when I travel but tend to play it safe with savory dishes.
- I avoid driving because, well… I know I’m a bad driver.
- I enjoy structured travel planning but always leave room for a little spontaneity.
- If you see a perfectly organized suitcase, it’s mine. If you see one that looks like a tornado hit it, it’s my boyfriend’s.
- My pronunciation in Italian has led to some hilarious misunderstandings (let’s not talk about the scissors incident…).
About Happiness Is My Direction
I started this blog in March 2022 as a way to share my happy experiences – with friends, family, and anyone who happens to stumble upon it through Google, Bing, or wherever the internet takes them.
I write about the things that bring me joy – travel stories, everyday moments, food experiments, puppies, and personal reflections. My goal is simple: to make you smile, inspire your next adventure, or help you see the brighter side of life.
Most of the photos you see here are either taken by me or – let’s be real – by my boyfriend. He loves photography, and I… don’t. So, don’t expect many stock images.
The travel stories I share come from personal experiences, not guidebooks, so they might not match what you read on popular travel sites. And as for the recipes? They come from my love for experimenting in the kitchen – mostly finding ways to turn unhealthy food into something just as delicious but better for you. I’m not a food blogger (I wish I were, but I’m not!), so you won’t find new recipes every other day, but when I do share one, it’s worth trying!
I hope you enjoy this blog and find it helpful.
I’d love to hear from you – whether it’s about travel tips, recipes, or just to say hi. You can email me at [email protected].
Not sure where to start? Check out some of my favorite posts: