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I have studied a range of subjects that may seem unrelated – law, medicine, nursing, and copywriting. Yet, each one has played a critical role in shaping my education and who I am today.

Initially, I pursued a career in law, but after a significant hospitalization experience, I decided to enroll in medical school. In Croatia, most students go straight to college after high school, so being a year older than my peers was both a blessing and a curse.

Being slightly older gave me a unique advantage. I had gained valuable life experience and had already studied many of the subjects we covered in our first year. This allowed me to identify the shortcomings in our education system.

During my studies, I came across a fascinating subject called medical psychology, which focused on defense mechanisms. One defense mechanism in particular caught my attention – projection. This occurs when we attribute our negative thoughts or feelings to someone else because we cannot handle acknowledging them within ourselves.

For instance, a husband who is cheating on his spouse might accuse his wife of infidelity. Or a student who fails a test might blame the professor for inadequate teaching. It was during my medical studies that I witnessed firsthand how projection manifests in people.

In our chemistry class, fellow students approached me with questions about how I would handle failing a subject. It soon became apparent that these questions were fueled by their own insecurities and lack of self-belief. Surprisingly, I remained unconcerned about failing the subject. Throughout the day, there were even more instances where I caught a glimpse of their inner struggles.

It became clear that they were not talking about me, but about themselves. The climax of this experience occurred during a chemistry class when the professor asked me to leave the classroom due to the poor quality of my test. He and his assistant even mocked my laboratory observations, despite them being correct. They were essentially arguing that the sky is not blue.

Their ridicule led me to make a firm decision to never study medicine at that college again.

Unfortunately, the ordeal had a severe impact on my mental health, and I ended up in the psych ward, experiencing a psychotic break as a result of the gaslighting by my teaching staff. You may be wondering how I knew I was right in that situation. – The answer is because I realised helping people who project is my calling.

The truth is, I now witness the same defense mechanism, projection, in my clients as I support them in my practice. To help them heal their unwanted feelings and regain peace, I utilize a tool called the Mirror Exercise.

This exercise has proven to be effective in my work. In conclusion, my diverse educational background has led me to understand the complexities of human behavior and how defense mechanisms can shape our perceptions and actions. My experiences have not only influenced my career path but have also motivated me to help others navigate their own emotional struggles.