Conversations with Greta Ruljevaite

Today we’d like to introduce you to Greta Ruljevaite

Hi Greta, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Chicago, and after graduating high school, I knew deep in my heart that I needed to uproot myself and start anew in Los Angeles, California. With just two bags, a Craigslist-found roommates, and the money I made working at a pizzeria, I flew west to begin a new life. I was terrified, landing in an apartment in Brentwood, Los Angeles, and waking up each day wondering, “What the heck am I gonna do now?”

I enrolled in Santa Monica Community College, applied for financial aid, and immediately sought a job to support myself. My first job was at Mrs. Fields Cookies, but I was fired after two weeks for giving customers larger servings of soft-serve ice cream and bringing free cookies home to my roommates. After that, I found a job at a tanning salon in Brentwood, where I worked for about 2-3 years. This period marked the true beginning of my journey.

Balancing full-time college and working as much as possible, I picked up numerous side hustles to survive. My focus was on film and television, but I was unsure how to navigate that path. I tried everything from working as a personal assistant (including organizing Quentin Tarantino’s comic book collection) to interning on low-budget horror movie sets and attending as many modeling and acting auditions as I could. Despite my efforts, debilitating anxiety held me back.

To cope, I turned to drinking and drugs. After transferring to UCLA to finish my bachelor’s degree, I sought help from the psychology department and was prescribed 2MG of Klonopin. This began a 2-3 year period of abusing Klonopin and Xanax. Although I appeared okay on the outside, attending classes and working full-time, I was secretly struggling. I even graduated high on Vicodin, Klonopin, and Xanax.

After graduation, I transitioned from the tanning salon to working as a production assistant at Relativity Media in reality TV, where I stayed for two years before entering the VFX world. Starting as a PA, I evolved into a coordinator and eventually became a producer. Despite my professional progress, I continued to seek healing, knowing something wasn’t right.

In my late 20s, my true healing journey began. I distanced myself from toxic environments and explored different cultures and healing modalities. Yoga and breathwork helped me work through trauma and realign with my spirit, body, and mind. Traveling, especially a transformative trip to Bali, allowed me to shed layers of self-protection and begin embracing my true self. During this time, I decided to stop taking benzodiazepines and confront my anxiety.

I was introduced to plant medicine, which led me to places like Peru and the jungles of Colombia. These experiences helped me reconnect with my essence and shed years of protective layers. Embracing visibility despite my fears, I created a brand called Xpansion and a 90-day daily journal to help others make positive changes through daily prompts. My goal is to provide a safe space for people to explore their true selves.

Currently, I am focused on growing my brand and offering my journals to the world. I’m also working as a VFX producer at a wonderful company I’ve manifested after years of struggle. The universe has gifted me with the opportunity to work, grow my brand, and enjoy an amazing boyfriend and supportive friends.

I never imagined I would be where I am today, but I now realize the expansiveness of the universe. My journey has taught me the importance of connection, kindness, and helping others. As I navigate life, I am committed to doing good for myself and others, showing kindness, and being open to change and connection. I aim to expand together with the people I love and help as many as I can along the way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been the bumpiest road ever, constantly getting my tires popped but always being called to replace them, no matter how many times it took. I never allowed myself to give up, and for that, I credit my upbringing and the trauma I endured, which created a strong willpower within me. However, this also caused issues in my life where I didn’t know how to soften. My masculinity often overpowered my femininity, and my coping mechanism was isolation. Because of this, I turned down too many amazing opportunities to count. But hey, it wasn’t the right time.

I spent most of my 20s in an unhealthy state. I smoked, I drank, and my diet and eating habits were terrible. While I maintained my physical activity out of fear of gaining weight, I expended so much energy worrying about my appearance and what others thought of me that I never took the time to focus on what I needed and who I was. This led to years of getting drunk, finding toxic partners, and abusing all sorts of drugs. I kept moving forward and working hard, but I needed something to numb my feelings to do so.

At the time, I didn’t realize the infinite opportunities around me because I chose not to see them. It made me realize that infinite possibilities are constantly around us; we are never stripped of them. That is the beauty of life—we are always surrounded by gifts, but it’s about whether we are willing to see them and trust that we can receive and deserve them.

My biggest struggles along the way were substance abuse and my eating habits, which kept me isolated. There were times I would have preferred spending the evening binging on food rather than going out and connecting with people, putting myself in situations where change could happen. Despite this, I knew there was a way out somehow, so I kept going and kept trying. It took me some time, but I found my way out of the abyss.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am deeply passionate about my work, which spans multiple areas but is primarily focused on personal development and transformation. I specialize in helping individuals unlock their power within through various tools and practices that promote self-discovery and healing.

One of my proudest achievements is the creation of my brand, Xpansion, and the development of a 90-day daily journal designed to guide others in making positive changes in their lives through daily intentional prompts. This journal is more than just a product; it’s a tool for transformation that encourages self-reflection and mindfulness.

Before Xpansion, I started another brand called Lamalignment, where I introduced my first journal prototype. Although I realized it wasn’t quite right, this initial attempt was a crucial stepping stone that led me to create Xpansion. This journey taught me invaluable lessons and ultimately helped me develop a product that truly resonates with people seeking personal growth and transformation.

What sets me apart from others is my holistic approach to personal development. I draw from a diverse range of experiences and healing modalities, including yoga, breathwork, plant medicine, and travel. These practices have not only helped me overcome my own struggles but have also equipped me with the knowledge and empathy to guide others on their journeys.

I am known for my genuine and authentic approach. I openly share my own story of transformation, including the highs and the lows, to inspire and connect with others. My work is deeply rooted in the belief that everyone has the potential to heal and grow, and I am committed to providing the support and tools necessary to facilitate that process.

I am most proud of the community I have built around Xpansion. It’s a space where people can come together, share their experiences, and support one another in their personal development journeys. Seeing the positive impact my work has on others and hearing their stories of transformation is incredibly rewarding and motivates me to continue this path.

In addition to my work with Xpansion, I am currently a VFX producer in the film industry, a role that allows me to blend my creative skills with my professional expertise. This balance between my creative and professional endeavors enriches my life and provides a unique perspective that I bring to all my projects.

Ultimately, what sets me apart is my unwavering dedication to personal growth, both for myself and for those I work with. I believe in the power of vulnerability, authenticity, and continuous learning, and I strive to embody these values in everything I do.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me are openness, love, and connection. Having spent years isolating and suppressing my feelings to the point where I couldn’t discern one emotion from another, I have come to understand the importance of openness. Openness is crucial for connecting with ourselves and with each other. We are not meant to be alone; we are all part of the same consciousness, originating from the same source. We are here to reconnect, support each other, and contribute to each other’s growth and expansion.

At the core of everything is love. It’s about recognizing and nurturing the love within ourselves, in others, and in the world around us. Love is present in every moment, and by embracing it, we can foster deeper connections and a greater appreciation for one another. Love is the essence that binds us and the driving force behind all meaningful connections.

Lastly, it’s kindness that keeps the current in flow. Being kind to ourselves and each other because we are all doing the best we can on our journeys.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xpansion.one
• Instagram: gretaruljevaite
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560920414242