Christina Toimela learns what matters is who you are

I’m normally a very positive, energetic and upbeat personality, “Duracell” as they say. However, I do have my moments when I need to unwind. My way to relax is to treat myself to a long sauna and jacuzzi session after a good gym workout. Asta Jonkiene, the cleaner there, always has a few moments for a chat and she glows with genuine warmth and happiness, just what you need to keep you going. I had to ask her to reveal her secret for always looking immaculate and being joyful.

Asta is from Lithuania where she worked as a Head of Department for AB SEB Bank. Three years ago she decided to change her life and move abroad. She followed her daughter to Brighton and started working as a cleaner. Asta speaks both Estonian and Russian, and her dream is to improve her spoken English so she can start looking for work in a bank.

Asta enjoys meeting lots of people from other countries. She loves the spirituality and energy that she gets from her early morning walks along Brighton beach. She finds people in the UK to have less stress than in Lithuania and they are very friendly: “People smile and say hello. People in Brighton feel free, everyone has a job and they do what they want.”

For Asta, family and friends are most important. Money is important to the point that one can live, eat and pay the bills. The fact that Asta used to be a manager in a bank and now she is a cleaner does not matter. She says that she has not changed: “What’s most important is not what you do but who you are.” She feels that money can sometimes change people in that they become bored. “If you are happy with what you are doing it does not matter… one day you can be the boss, the next day a cleaner. It’s important to feel happy with what you’ve got. I’m doing everything from my heart and I always do my best, that’s what makes me happy.”

What would Asta say to readers? Don’t worry about the little things: “Enjoy life and always remember that one day may be very bad but the next day no problem. I would like people not to be angry. If you put love, good energy and happiness into your life, it will be good, just like the food you spice with love.”

Do you know any people who have really inspired you in Brighton?
We’re not looking for celebrities. Not ordinary, but extraordinary.
Contact Christina: christina.toimela@gmail.com