ABOUT | Octophina

My Story

What can go wrong for an ambitious young person ready to work tirelessly to achieve professional success, personal fulfillment, and financial stability?

A lot.

At 24 I was a recent university graduate with two degrees on a promising career trajectory in a happy relationship with my soulmate, and big dreams for a bright future.

At 32 I was single, recovering from suicidal depression, flat broke, and forced to start from scratch in a new country without a job, a place to call home, or any idea how to move forward.

But this isn’t a sad story. It’s a modern fairytale and a cautionary tale in one.

My life story is a case study about the importance of self-care, the unlimited applications of creativity, and the role of childlike playfulness for self-empowerment.

Hard work, dedication, and ruthless self-discipline in every professional endeavor in my 20s earned me a well-paid and respected corporate career, put me on a TEDx stage, and got me on the Forbes 30 under 30 list as a social entrepreneur.

But here is the twist. Being an overachieving Millennial woman with severe trauma and no self-care discipline, living with undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and chasing external validation pushed me to severe burnout, cognitive decline, and eventually – to the edge of suicide.

Creativity not only saved my life, but also empowered me to re-sculpt my identity, re-design my reality, and re-write my story. And I can help you do the same through creative play – a lifelong journey of self-exploration, self-expression, and self-care through creativity.

What I Do

I am Sophie Yotova, but you can call me Octophina.

I’m a human octopus, multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and creative catalyst.

I combine my skills as a trained journalist, certified Mind Body Eating coach, and food architect with my 10+ years of professional experience in event management, the corporate world, and the wellness industry to design tools, techniques, and experiences for self-empowerment through creativity.

LEVEL UP THROUGH CREATIVE PLAY

From how you do grocery shopping and cook your meals to how you express complex emotions, process difficult experiences, establish meaningful connections, relax after an intense day, use clothes as a personal billboard, and have fun with loved ones, I can help you use creativity like a Swiss army knife that helps you level up multiple areas of your life.

My Services

Step into a world of creativity and joy with our Individual and Group Creative Playdates. Embrace this heartfelt invitation to awaken your imagination and unleash your boundless creativity.

Each Creative Playdate enables you to:

✓ Reconnect with your childlike playfulness

✓ Use creative tools and techniques for self-exploration, self-expression, and self-care

✓ Explore your authentic emotions, needs, and desires through creativity

✓ Capture and express complex inner experiences in liberating creative ways

✓ Get access to resources for creative inspiration, education, and empowerment