Explain a gap in my CV honestly

There is a visible gap and you keep rewriting the sentence about it.

Help me explain the gap in my work history below.

Rules:
- The explanation must be true. Do not suggest inventing freelance work, consulting, or a company that did not exist.
- Keep it to two sentences: what the period was, and what I did with it or what I took from it.
- No apology, no over-explaining, no oversharing about health or family beyond what I choose to disclose.
- Move quickly to the present and to what I am ready for now.

Give me three versions: one line for the CV, two sentences for a cover letter, and a spoken version for interview. Then list the two follow-up questions likely to come next and a truthful answer to each.

The gap:

Applications. Aiming at one specific role: tailoring, cover letters, explaining a gap or a change of industry.