By Iryna from Ukraine

Books are my secret portals — one moment I’m in ancient Rome, the next I’m sailing through fantasy worlds. Reading lets me live a thousand lives, but sometimes I close the book and wonder… what about my own story? Maybe the most thrilling chapters aren’t in books at all!

I have this restless spirit that always pulls me toward new horizons. Whether it’s hiking up a mountain trail just to catch the sunrise, kayaking across a quiet lake, or hopping on a train with no fixed plan — I feel alive when I’m exploring. Adventure excites me, but it’s sweeter when there’s someone to share it with. Colors, textures, and emotions live on my fingertips. Sometimes I get lost in painting, sometimes I play with crafts, and sometimes I just scribble thoughts in a journal. Creativity feels like breathing to me — it’s how I express myself without words. I often imagine what it would be like to paint someone’s portrait while they’re watching me. There’s something so intimate about cooking — the aroma filling the kitchen, the way flavors blend like two hearts finding their rhythm. I love experimenting with dishes, adding little twists of my own, and watching someone enjoy every bite. To me, food is romance in another form.