What draws someone to Spain? For some, it’s the sunshine, the lifestyle, or the culture. For Kitica Kekic, it was a path shaped by unexpected twists, deep self-discovery, and a calling she couldn’t ignore. From the Adriatic coastline of Croatia to the lush landscapes of Alcaucín, Málaga, Kitica’s journey is one of reinvention, resilience, and following the signs the universe laid before her. Read her story.
Why Spain?
For the longest time, I thought I wanted to live in Croatia, my homeland. But, the Universe knew me better than I knew myself, and set up an interesting, shocking stream of events of three consecutive deaths in my immediate family.
I was based in Zagreb, my hometown, and my Grandma and Grandpa died in their lovely family house in Trogir. I left Zagreb to take care of my Grandma (my Mom did the same for my Grandpa who passed a year earlier). My Mom inherited the house, and I went back to Zagreb, doing my thing, being the creative director and owner of an agency.
Then, unexpectedly, my Aunt caught Covid and was hospitalised in Split, Croatia. She was living in the family house in Duce, near Split, my father’s family side. I packed and left Zagreb to take care of her two dogs while she was fighting for her life in the hospital. She didn’t make it :(((
I was left there alone, without knowing she left the house to me. I moved there permanently, and at the time, was missing Zagreb and my old life. But little did I know.
After living there with my dog Slava for 2 years, on the Croatian seaside, in a house built up in the mountains and with a gorgeous sea view, I realised I could never be happy living in cloudy Zagreb with damp continental climate.
I meditated, did crazy ice baths in the Adriatic (minus degrees in winter) Wim Hof style, cooked healthy meals and took long walks along the coastline and down the River Cetina Canyon… saw all the beauty and learned to live in the moment, appreciating all the pinky-orange sunsets above Adriatic, icy cyan early mornings, the smell of our cypresses, pines and rosemary bushes from the garden, and the magnificent views from our terrace…
I fell in love with life, myself, the 300 hours of annual sunshine and simplicity.
Completely changed my priorities in life.
Couldn’t care less about money I was left with, or tomorrow.
Soaked up all of the NOW.
And I was reborn.
So, I asked myself where…
- would you thrive like you do here?
- could your soul be at peace, and your mind clear and focused, and your body flexible and healthy?
- would you like to wake up morning after morning and take Slava for a looooong walk with sunshine on your face?
I had no clue. But whenever I’d turn on the TV, there would be a documentary on Andalucia, Spain, or something Spanish. Then, my New York roommate called, after 10 years or so, asking if she could come visit me in Croatia (she lives in Barcelona). Moreover, my business partner moved with family to Sitges. So I followed the signs 😊
And where are you now?
In my journey, I travelled along the Coast, from Croatia to Italy, France and then Spain… I lived in rented apartments in Salou, Valencia, Alicante, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Mijas… until I saw this ad in the thinkspain.com website selling my present apartment.
Made an appointment with the agency to see it, booked it, bought it, and couldn’t be happier.
I live under a National park of Alhama, Tejeda and Almijara in Alcaucín, Málaga. The air is crisp, and everything is green and luscious. We daily go to Lake Vinuela for our long walks, where Slava chases (what’s left of) rabbits, or hares 🙂
What was the biggest challenge for your move?
Finding out what I really wanted, underneath all of my layers.
Do you have any advice for Women thinking about making the move?
Do it. If it appeared in your mind, it was there the whole time. There’s nothing like the story of your courage you will share and inspire others with.
What does your life in Spain look like?
I create ad strategies, analyses, campaigns, platforms etc. working and communicating with the top creatives around the world. Creatives are selected, they are handpicked for each project, because each of them is passionate about something more than another thing.
Today I have a network of circa 50 top awarded creatives on all continents. These are my ex and present colleagues and partners. This takes about 20% of my time, the advertising work, at the moment, but that varies of course, depending on the demand.
I write poetry. Some of it is on Medium, but most in my diary and on pieces of papers around the apartment 🙂 – that’s my calling, well one of them for sure.
Practising reiki; I am a member of a Croatian reiki school called Reiki Dojo, and I absolutely love giving myself and Slava treatments. I did not give any for money yet, I believe there will be a time when people will ask for it. Reiki we aren’t supposed to offer, it should be asked for. So I follow the rules 🙂
I studied Fine Arts/Photography in New York City’s The New School, and I am taking photos for my own pleasure. A tiny part is featured on my website oddievritt.com.
As rituals I meditate for 2 hours a day, doing yoga for 45 minutes and starting my day at the Alcaucín gym where I exercise for 2 hours.
Walking Slava in the forest, around Viñuela lake or so for an hour a day.
Half an hour a day, sometimes much more, is spend reading, and watch at least one movie a day.
I dance by myself in the middle of my living room.
Journalling each morning with coffee, on my balcony, staring at these magnificent mountains.
I love my life.
What is something spectacular you would like to achieve in just one day?
Open GOOSEBUMPS ASSOCIATION and gain 500 members in the first year.
Something you are grateful for?
Recreated myself. Released everything that never belonged to me. Feeling worthy of everything I desire ❤️
Who would be at your special dinner party?
Nikola Tesla – my fellow Croat, my man, the most important man in history who gave us electricity, wifi, communication… who gave up his own happiness to give the world what he was called to share.
Woody Allen – my favourite movie director. Yes, he’s a pathetic pervert but nonetheless a comedian par excellence. A teoubled soul whose movie making is his therapy. I want to hear his anxiety, see his trauma, and crack inappropriate jokes with him. Everybody deserves forgiveness.
Desmond Tutu – I want to thank him for helping me find immense strength in forgiveness.
Freddie Mercury – ‘I want to break free’ with him, right there at the dinner table. Dance dance dance.
My Grandma Cica – I want to hug her tightly, tell her I was a mess when I was a kid and never gave her the love she deserved. I want to tell her she made me a good woman, by serving as an example of integrity, authenticity and unconditional love. I want to thank her for leaving me the family home in which I healed myself and started a new life.
Lord Byron – I want to write dark, neo-romantic poetry with him, as he served as an inspiration to me.
Paul Auster – I want to ask him about his process of writing a book.
Saul Leiter – I want us to document this dinner with amazing photos. He’s one of my favourite photographers.
David Beckham – I want to thank him for inspiring me to spin my static bike for an hour while watching his documentary. Such focus, such passion!
Maya Angelou – I want to hear her wisdom.
David Sedaris – I want to crack jokes about our families with him.
Charles Darwin – I want to debate the origin of species with him, now that so much has changed since his death.
David Hockney – I want him to paint us all at the table.
Annie Liebowitz – she can do the same with her Hasselblad.
Mikao Usui – I want him to tell me all about his reiki journey in person, all that isn’t written, for he was the trailblazer.
Marlon Brando – because we all need someone beautiful to look at, at this dinner 😂
What’s your secret weapon?
Alchemy. I transmute everything into love.
Do you have a favourite manta?
I am that I am. Meaning, I am worthy of all I desire just by existing. No need to prove anything, I share my story and the right people are drawn to me.
One thing you had to bring to Spain and could never give away?
My dog Slava. You will know why once you meet her.
Do you have a favourite film and book?
Movie – The Graduate. Because I rate movies by: acting, casting, editing, story (script), music, direction, photography. And this one scored 10/10 in each category.
Book – Mr. Vertigo by Paul Auster. Because it’s so imaginative that I was floating when I was reading it. It gave me wings.
Something you would tell your younger self?
The fact that you are interested in 20 things isn’t a vice, it’s beautiful. Don’t get anxious about it, just adore ONE THING AT A TIME. And then, one day, give it your all for all of them.
Thank you Kitica Kekic where can we find out more?
Connect with me on Linkedin – Kitica Kekic
My website: https://oddievritt.com
