Event overview

Teodora Marcu is back in Chicago and she’s bringing a heart-centered, down-to-earth series of workshops created especially for women who give a lot to everyone else - and are ready to finally give a little more to themselves, too.

Across two evenings at ROCO, you’ll explore what self-love looks like in real life: beyond perfect routines and inspirational quotes, and into the everyday moments where you can choose yourself with kindness, honesty, and joy.

Tone and audience

This experience is warm, relaxed, and conversational - no formal speeches, no pressure to “perform,” just a safe, cozy space where women can show up exactly as they are.

The workshops are designed for women of all ages and backgrounds, whether you’re a busy mom, a professional juggling many roles, a recent immigrant, or simply someone who feels it’s time to reconnect with yourself.

Language and community

The workshops will be held in Romanian, so participants can express themselves in the language that feels most natural and emotionally true.

This series is especially dedicated to the Romanian community in Chicago, which inspired Teodora to write her journal „Iubirea începe cu tine” (“Love Begins with You”) - a practical companion for women on their self-discovery journey.

About Teodora Marcu

Teodora Marcu is the founder and president of Asociația Start Restart and a personal development counselor who has been supporting people in their growth processes since 2019, through individual sessions, workshops, and group programs. Over the years, her educational projects have reached more than 2,000 children and teenagers, and she has also collaborated with companies on personal development workshops and team-building programs.

A turning point in her journey was her visit to Chicago, where she finally had the time and quiet to look honestly at herself and recognize how easily women lose themselves in responsibilities, roles, and taking care of others. Since then, her work has focused more and more on supporting women in self-knowledge and reconnection with their inner voice.

Inspired by this experience, she created the journal „Iubirea începe cu tine”, a practical tool at the core of her method, guiding women through reflection, dialogue, and introspection. Today she facilitates experiential workshops, group programs, and individual sessions that offer women a safe space to rediscover their identity, rebuild trust, and cultivate a more authentic relationship with themselves.

Her mission is to create safe spaces where women can give themselves time without guilt, rediscover their voice, regain confidence, and have the courage to choose themselves, too - alongside the people they care for.

Project: The Art of Self-Love

“The Art of Self-Love” is a gentle, honest invitation for women who feel they’ve drifted away from themselves somewhere between daily responsibilities and the many roles they carry.

Instead of asking you to become someone new, this project helps you remember who you already are. Through guided reflection and writing, Teodora supports you in reconnecting to your needs, values, and inner resources, one small step at a time.

Structure: Two workshops over two days

Across two days at ROCO, Teodora will facilitate two small-group workshops (maximum 10 participants per group), each lasting around 90 minutes.

Both sessions build on each other but can also stand alone, so you can attend one or both, depending on your availability and where you are in your personal journey.

Day 1 – “How Did I Lose Myself in My Roles?”

The first workshop invites you to slow down, breathe, and look with kindness at all the roles you carry - mother, partner, daughter, professional, friend - and how they shape your everyday life.

Through simple, guided exercises and journaling, you’ll explore where you started putting yourself last, which expectations weigh you down, and what beliefs keep you from caring for your own needs. There are no “right answers” here; the focus is on your story, your pace, and your truth.

You’ll leave with more clarity about how your roles influence your identity and with a softer, more compassionate way of looking at yourself in the middle of it

Day 2 – “How Do I Start Finding Myself Again?”

The second workshop is all about moving from awareness to action - small, realistic steps that fit your real life, not an ideal version of it.

Together, you’ll identify the values that matter most to you, the inner and outer resources you already have, and concrete actions you can introduce into your days to nurture a healthier, more authentic relationship with yourself.

You’ll use Teodora’s journal „Iubirea începe cu tine” as a practical guide, working through reflection prompts, writing exercises, and moments of sharing that help transform insight into everyday practice.

What you’ll actually do

During both workshops, participants are invited to:

• Reflect on their experiences and inner dialogue through gentle, guided questions.

• Write in their journals (no previous experience needed - this is not “perfect” writing, just honest writing).

• Share, listen, and connect in a supportive group where each voice matters and silence is also respected.

The atmosphere is based on respect, confidentiality, and mutual support, so you can open up as much or as little as feels right for you.

What you’ll leave with

At the end of these two days, you’ll walk away with:

• A clearer sense of where you are in your story and where you’d like to go next.

• Simple tools you can use at home - reflection prompts, small rituals, and practical actions that keep you connected to yourself.

• The feeling that you are not alone, and the beginning of a community of women who give themselves time, space, and kindness without guilt.

Most of all, we hope you’ll leave with the deep understanding that self-love does not mean loving others less - it means including yourself in the care, attention, and tenderness you already offer the world.

Practical details

Audience
Women (18+) interested in personal development, self-reflection, and building a more loving relationship with themselves.

Language
Workshops will be conducted in Romanian.

Group size
Maximum 10 participants per session to keep the space intimate and interactive.

Registration
Pre-registration is required; spaces are limited.

Materials
Basic writing materials will be available, and participants are welcome to bring their own notebook if they wish.

Contact
ROCO Team

[email protected]
[email protected]