My Interview with Kretakompass: A New Beginning in Chania and a Life That Finally Feels Authentic

For our interview series about inspiring women in Crete, we speak with women who have chosen their own path—courageously, honestly, and often against the easiest option. Vanessa Badura now lives in Chania, works as a photographer and mentor, and has built a new life in Crete with her son. In this interview, she talks about starting over, self-doubt, visibility, and why Crete means much more to her than just a beautiful destination.

Read the article in german

Vanessa Badura in Crete: Why She Fits This Series So Well

Some stories do not begin with a dramatic turning point but with a quiet realization:

"I can't keep living like this."

For Vanessa Badura, that was the moment everything changed. After her divorce, a successful career as a wedding photographer working across Europe, and the challenge of rebuilding her life as a single mother, it became increasingly clear that she wanted something different. Not someday—but now.

Today, she lives in Chania, Crete, where she works as a photographer and mentor, helping people become more visible without compromising who they are. Through her social channels and her Insider Guide, she also shares a side of Chania that goes far beyond traditional travel recommendations.

In this interview with Kretakompass, Vanessa talks about her journey to Crete, the balance between uncertainty and courage, life in Chania, and what visibility truly means in today's world.

Who Is Vanessa Badura?

"I'm Vanessa, 36, originally from near Nuremberg, a photographer, mentor, and mother. Two years ago, I built a new life for myself in Crete after realizing that I couldn't continue living the way I had before."

Even in these first few sentences, it becomes clear what her story is not about. It is not a romanticized tale of moving abroad, a perfectly polished success story, or an idealized vision of life under the Mediterranean sun.

It is about genuine transformation.

Following her divorce and an intense period working as a wedding photographer throughout Europe, she reached a point where much of her life no longer felt aligned. Vanessa describes it not as an explosion but as a gradual inner clarity.

When Did Crete Become More Than a Holiday Destination?

Vanessa first came to Crete in 2021 with her son, simply as a tourist. In 2023, she returned, spent more time in Chania, and realized something had shifted.

"I was here and knew that something inside me felt at home. Almost as if I had arrived."

Many people who experience Crete beyond a brief holiday can relate to that feeling. Yet it is also a dangerous idea if viewed purely through a romantic lens. Such feelings may inspire a decision, but they do not create a life on their own.

That is what makes Vanessa's story interesting: she did not stop at the feeling. She acted on it.

The Turning Point: Not a Dramatic Moment, but an Inner Refusal to Go Back

When asked about the defining turning point, Vanessa responds with remarkable clarity:

"There wasn't one big dramatic moment or a single life-changing decision. It was more this inner feeling: I can't go back."

That answer resonates because it feels real. Many life-changing decisions seem bigger, more organized, and more courageous in hindsight than they actually felt at the time. In reality, they are often steps taken amid uncertainty.

Vanessa took that step with her son, without a perfectly detailed plan but with trust. Not as an escape, but as a conscious attempt to build a freer and more self-determined life.

Moving to Crete: What Was Harder Than Expected

Honesty is essential in conversations about life in Crete. The island is often idealized: sunshine, sea, olive groves, and a relaxed lifestyle. All of that is true—but it is not the whole truth.

Vanessa speaks openly about the most difficult aspect:

"The hardest part was the uncertainty. Not knowing whether it would really work—financially, emotionally, and as a mother."

This may be one of the most important statements in the entire interview because it separates genuine inspiration from surface-level storytelling.

Life in Crete can be deeply fulfilling. But it does not automatically solve the questions and challenges you bring with you from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or anywhere else. You bring yourself with you. You bring your responsibilities and your daily life too.

Life in Chania: Why This City?

When asked about Chania, Vanessa describes a feeling that many visitors intuitively understand.

"Chania touched me immediately. The combination of city life, nature, freedom, and international influences spoke to me right away. At the same time, it isn't too loud or too overwhelming."

For many people who stay longer in Crete—or even consider living there—Chania occupies a special place. The city combines history with modern life, structure with ease, and local traditions with an international atmosphere.

Vanessa puts it more simply, and perhaps more powerfully:

"For me, it was above all a feeling: this is where I belong."

What Many People Romanticize About Life in Crete

One of the recurring questions in our interview series is: What is underestimated? What is romanticized? Where does reality begin?

Vanessa's answer is straightforward:

"Many people romanticize moving abroad. But it isn't a permanent vacation. It's everyday life, work, and responsibility—just in a place that feels more authentic to me."

That perspective is one of her greatest strengths. She does not idealize Crete or glorify Chania. Instead, she explains that while not everything becomes easier, some things become more meaningful.

And that is a distinction many people only understand after spending significant time here.

Visibility Without a Mask: Vanessa's Work as a Photographer and Mentor

Today, Vanessa's work is both creative and strategic. As a photographer and mentor, she helps people become visible in ways that genuinely reflect who they are.

For her, the focus is not on creating a perfect image but on helping people feel truly seen.

"My work isn't only about beautiful photographs or strategies. It's about truly seeing people."

It is a compelling perspective in a world where visibility is often confused with volume and attention. Vanessa describes something different: not self-promotion, but clarity.

When asked what prevents people from becoming visible, she explains:

"Many people hold themselves back because they are afraid of being judged or of not being good enough."

That insight reaches far beyond business. For many people, becoming visible is not simply about gaining attention—it is about vulnerability.

What Visibility Means to Vanessa Today

Perhaps the strongest definition she offers is this:

"Visibility means being honest. Showing yourself without playing a role—and not losing yourself in the process."

This mindset fits perfectly with the values of Kretakompass because it connects personal growth, entrepreneurship, and life in Crete. Visibility is not presented as a marketing tactic but as a form of inner alignment.

For readers considering major life changes, self-employment, or a move to Crete, that is a valuable perspective.

Chania from a Different Perspective: Her Insider Guide

According to Vanessa, she receives messages almost every day asking where people should go in Chania, particularly families.

That experience inspired her Insider Guide to Chania. The idea was not to create another traditional travel guide but to share the city through the eyes of someone who actually lives there.

"Chania and Crete often have so much more to offer than what typical guidebooks show. When you live here, you discover the city in a completely different way."

That perspective is especially valuable for our readers. Kretakompass is not built on generic lists but on genuine insights, experiences, and local viewpoints.

Woman, Mother, New Beginning: What Courage Means to Vanessa

Another important aspect of this interview is Vanessa's perspective as both a woman and a mother. Once again, her answer is refreshingly direct.

"For me, courage was never the absence of fear. Courage means moving forward despite it."

She continues:

"As a woman and as a mother, it was especially meaningful to prove to myself that I can build, shape, and sustain a life on my own."

This may be one of the most powerful thoughts in the entire conversation—not because it is dramatic, but because it is deeply grounded in reality.

A series about inspiring women in Crete should not only highlight beautiful projects or aesthetically pleasing lifestyles. It should also explore responsibility, setbacks, and genuine decisions. That is what gives these stories substance.

Her Advice to Other Women Considering Change

What would Vanessa say to a woman who feels ready for change but still hesitates?

"You don't need to have everything figured out in advance. You just need to be honest enough with yourself to take the first step."

It is not a motivational slogan. It is a surprisingly practical piece of advice—and perhaps that is exactly why it is effective.

Many people do not fail because they dream too little. They fail because they wait for complete certainty before taking action. In major life transitions, that certainty rarely exists.

The Kretakompass Moment: “Crete Gives Me …”

There is one recurring question in our interview series that helps reveal what Crete truly means to each person.

Vanessa completes the sentence like this:

"Crete gives me space. Space for myself, for my growth, and for a life that genuinely feels like mine."

It is a simple sentence, yet it captures the essence of her entire story: moving away from a life that merely worked and toward a life that feels authentic again.

What Vanessa Is Looking Forward To

Her outlook on the future reflects the same mindset:

"Right now, I'm excited about everything that is still unfolding—without needing to control every detail."

She talks about projects at her home, a vision gradually becoming reality, and how impossible all of this would have seemed just two years ago.

That openness is what makes her story believable. The focus is not on a perfect outcome but on the journey itself.

Conclusion: What Makes Vanessa Badura's Story in Crete Special

Vanessa Badura is a perfect fit for our series about inspiring women in Crete—not because her story is flawless or extraordinary, but because it demonstrates something that can encourage many people: change often begins quietly. It becomes real when you take it seriously.

Her journey to Chania represents more than moving abroad or building a business. It represents inner clarity, perseverance through uncertainty, and the ongoing effort to bring life and work back into alignment.

Perhaps that is the true value of stories like hers. They do not provide a blueprint to copy. Instead, they offer an honest glimpse of what becomes possible when you stop merely functioning and start living with intention.