1. My body is always changing — and this is normal.
There were days when I looked in the mirror and couldn’t understand why I felt puffy or tired, even if nothing really changed. But bodies are alive, they respond to stress, sleep, hormones, food, weather… everything. One day you feel strong, another day — softer. And this is a beautiful, natural part of being human and a woman.
The moment I stopped fighting those changes and started accepting them, I felt so much more free.

2. Nutritious food is my fuel.
Food is not an enemy or a reward. It’s just food. Some of it nourishes me and gives me energy, and some of it simply tastes good but doesn’t bring much value to my body. I try to choose nutrient-rich food most of the time because I love feeling strong, light and energized.
At the same time, I don’t label food as “good” or “bad”. I have things I avoid for my health, and things I eat in moderation. That’s it. No drama. No guilt.

3. Numbers on the scale are just numbers.
I truly stopped letting the scale define me. One or two kilos up? It doesn’t say anything about my beauty, my strength or my worth. It’s just… material. Material that I can turn into endurance, into power, into stronger muscles during workouts.
My body is not a number. And neither is yours.

4. Consistency over perfection.
I learned that what really matters is not being perfect — it’s being consistent. Even on busy days I’ll find time for a short workout or at least a long walk. Not because I “must”, but because I genuinely love how movement makes me feel.
Consistency keeps me aligned with myself.

5. Listening to my body is a must.
There were times when I pushed myself too hard, thinking it was the only way to progress. Now I know: my body speaks to me. And I should listen.
If I feel low on energy — I lower intensity.
If I’m exhausted — I rest.
If I need a gentle day — I take it.
This connection with myself is one of the most important skills I’ve ever developed.

6. Love yourself at every stage.
Our bodies change with age, with lifestyle, with motherhood, with stress, with joy — with life itself. And I’m learning to embrace those changes, not fight them.
I show love to my body in the way I move, the way I eat, the way I talk to myself. I celebrate small progress. I enjoy the journey.

None of these rules are strict. They are just the way I learned to be kinder to myself, to stay present and aware, to feel strong and feminine at the same time.

And I hope every woman finds her own rules — the ones that help her feel confident, grounded and beautiful from the inside out.

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For me, it never works like that. The moment I try to be fully present with my kids, I instantly lose time for my self-growth. And selfcare? That’s a whole different chapter. Being with kids is emotionally fulfilling, self-growth is mentally fulfilling, and selfcare is physically necessary — but all three never fit into one day. At least not for me. And maybe that’s normal.

Sometimes I feel like people expect women to be layered like a cake: soft mother, supportive partner, successful professional, inspiring friend, organized home manager, healthy eater, emotionally balanced, glowing, patient, and still somehow interesting, fun, full of ideas, and available 24/7. And honestly, I’m tired just writing this list.

And let’s be real — finding time for your husband, for cooking, for actual conversations, for keeping the household running… it’s a lot. I love being present for my family. It’s my safe space. But at the same time, I feel this constant whisper inside: you should be more. You should do more. You should create something meaningful for women, grow your platform, bring value, express your ideas. And I want that too — I genuinely do. I have so many thoughts and projects I want to bring to life, so much I want to share, especially about women’s wellbeing. But the question that always stops me is: how? How to fit all of this into the life of a wife and a mom without burning out?

Maybe the real answer is that we don’t need to have it all at the same time. Maybe life comes in seasons, and each season gives us only what we can realistically handle. And maybe the most powerful thing we can do as women is simply admit that we’re trying — not perfectly, not effortlessly, but honestly.

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The manifesto begins with a powerful idea: there is nothing left to sustain. Our planet is no longer in a state where “sustainability” is enough. We have already gone far beyond the point where maintaining the current situation is a solution. Instead, we must regenerate. We must repair what has been damaged, restore what has been neglected, and allow natural systems to return to the balance they once had. The message is clear — we cannot keep interrupting the ecosystems that give us life.

Another important point is the disconnect between brands, people, and the land that produces the fibers we use. The manifesto calls for the end of that disconnect. Fashion cannot continue to exist as if it has no responsibility to the planet and communities involved in the creation of its products. Transparency, accountability, and synergy are the only way forward. If we want a better future, brands need to clean up their act and stop pretending that a “sustainable” label is enough.

This is a reminder that fashion holds tremendous power. It influences culture, trends, and even the way we see ourselves. But it also shapes the world we leave behind. We cannot keep valuing aesthetics without valuing the environment that makes them possible. The vision we should strive for is a future where fashion becomes a force for good — where beautiful, timeless pieces are created with intention, care, and respect for the planet.

On this Earth Day, let’s think beyond “sustainability.” Let’s think about regeneration, responsibility, and the role we all play. Our choices matter more than we often realize.

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Pregnancy changes you on a physical, emotional, and mental level. After giving birth, you don’t just go back to your old self overnight. Your body feels unfamiliar, almost like it belongs to someone else. Muscles that once responded immediately now need time and patience. Movements that used to be easy suddenly feel demanding. And while the world often romanticizes “getting your body back,” I realized that the true journey isn’t about chasing your old shape. It’s about reconnecting with yourself and finding comfort in a new version of you.

There’s so much pressure on women to recover quickly, lose weight, bounce back, and pretend everything is effortless. But motherhood is far from effortless. It’s intense, overwhelming, beautiful, exhausting, and fulfilling all at once. The truth is, no one should be expected to look or feel a certain way after giving birth. There shouldn’t be pressure—only support, compassion, and understanding. Every mother deserves space to heal at her own pace.

To all the mamas out there: you are my heroes. I see you, I understand you, and I know how much strength it takes just to show up every day. Your body has carried life, birthed life, and now continues to nurture it. That alone is extraordinary. Whatever stage you’re in—whether you’re rebuilding, adjusting, or simply learning to accept this new version of yourself—know that you’re doing better than you think.

For me, this journey is about finding myself again. Not the old version, but the one who is stronger in different ways, more patient, more grounded, and more aware of what truly matters. Being a mom is incredibly hard, yet it brings so much joy that it softens all the difficult moments. And that combination of struggle and beauty is what makes this journey so powerful.

I’m still on my way, and that’s okay. The progress may be slow, but it’s real. And I’m choosing to honor every step of it.

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I intentionally avoid using the phrase “getting my prepregnancy body back,” because I don’t believe it represents the reality of postpartum healing. My body will never be the same — and it shouldn’t be. It has gone through something powerful, demanding, and transformative. It’s different now, but different in a way that feels meaningful and earned. Society places so much pressure on women to “bounce back,” as if the goal is to erase the evidence of what we just experienced. But that mindset doesn’t honor the physical or emotional impact of pregnancy. Recovery takes time. Healing takes time. And every woman’s path is truly unique.

If you gained more weight than someone else, it doesn’t define you. It doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. During my last pregnancy, I ate carbs and sugar on a regular basis. I tried to keep it balanced, not because I was afraid of weight gain, but because I wanted to support my health. And honestly, the fact that I had been consistently active long before pregnancy turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. It allowed me to continue light workouts while pregnant and helped me feel more stable, more energized, and more connected to myself. Even a small amount of physical activity can release endorphins and shift your whole mental state.

So yes, this is the short version of where I am right now in my postpartum journey. I’m not rushing anything, I’m not comparing myself to anyone, and I’m not attaching my worth to a number or a timeline. I’m simply rebuilding — slowly, intentionally, and with appreciation for what my body has gone through. And I honestly can’t wait to return to my regular fitness program when the time feels right, with even more motivation than before.

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Summer was the most painful season. At seventeen, you dream about wearing a light dress, going to the beach, feeling carefree. I couldn’t do any of that. After several attempts to go out and facing people’s confused or judgmental looks, something inside me shut down. I felt unbearable shame, as if I needed to hide from the world. People did not understand what psoriasis was, and sometimes I felt they stepped back from me, afraid they might catch it. It wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to someone, but at that age and in that emotional state, it felt like an invisible weight I carried everywhere.

I spent years searching for something that would cure it, although I didn’t have many options back then. Eventually I learned that this kind of condition doesn’t disappear forever; you simply reach periods of remission. Accepting that was another challenge. It meant learning to accept that this was a part of me, and at that time I wasn’t ready.

Around that period, beauty pageants unexpectedly appeared in my life. I had never dreamed of being a model or stepping onto a stage. I couldn’t imagine doing any of that with the way my body looked. Maybe my face was fine, but my body felt damaged, and I couldn’t picture myself standing under bright lights. Agencies and even my university invited me to participate, but I always declined, pretending it didn’t interest me while secretly wishing I could be brave enough to walk on a runway with clear skin and confidence.

Time passed, and slowly I started to find more acceptance within myself. I stopped all treatments and shifted my focus toward healing emotionally. I tried to rebuild my confidence, to reconnect with the parts of myself I had pushed away. And then something unexpected happened: my skin began to heal. Not fully, and not instantly, but gradually. I still have scars even today, but most of the wounds faded. For the first time in years, I felt relief. I could look in the mirror without feeling broken.

You know what happened after that. I decided to give pageants and modeling a chance. A good tan and some makeup helped conceal what remained, but what mattered most was that I finally felt ready. That moment was my first real step toward understanding the importance of self-love. It taught me that no matter what you look like, no matter how you feel about your body, you should never hate it. There is always a reason your body looks the way it does. Even if you want to change something, the first step is to embrace who you are right now.

This journey taught me that acceptance is not something you reach overnight. It’s something you grow into, little by little, with patience and honesty. And once you start seeing yourself with compassion, everything begins to change.

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My first pregnancy was definitely easier in terms of symptoms. I didn’t experience that overwhelming nausea that so many women talk about. This time, the first trimester was a completely different story. I felt nauseous from morning until night, and for weeks I was searching for anything that could bring relief. Ginger beer helped, along with small snacks throughout the day, but it still felt like I was constantly fighting my own body. On top of that, I was endlessly sleepy. I found myself taking naps during the day with Teo, something I never do because daytime naps usually leave me feeling even more distracted. But during those weeks, my body simply demanded rest.

My cravings also changed dramatically. When I was pregnant with Teo, all I wanted was potatoes, meat, and sour cream — ideally all together. Luckily, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian cuisine offer plenty of dishes that fit that combination. This time, my body has been asking for carbs in every form. I have not craved sweets this much since I was a child, and honestly, I had forgotten what that kind of sugar craving even feels like.

And then there are the hormones. They have hit me much harder this time. I get emotional over the smallest things, and I find myself crying unexpectedly over comments or moments that normally wouldn’t affect me at all. I have become more sensitive, especially to anything my husband says, even when he doesn’t mean it in a negative way. It’s like every emotion becomes amplified, and sometimes I just have to remind myself that it’s temporary.

Many people say that pregnancy symptoms can depend on the baby’s gender, and I’ve heard so many theories over the years. I’m not sure how much truth there is to that, but I do believe every pregnancy follows its own unique script. And maybe that’s the beauty of it — you never know what to expect, and each experience teaches you something new about your body, your emotions, and your own strength.

Do you believe pregnancy symptoms can really reflect the baby’s gender?

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When I created this blog, my intention was simple: to help women like me who are on their own journey toward a healthy lifestyle. Over the years, I’ve gone through very different relationships with my body. I’ve had moments of confidence, and moments when I didn’t feel like myself at all. It took time, patience, and a lot of internal work to find the balance I have now. And because of that experience, I know how sensitive this topic can be, especially for younger people who are just beginning to shape their understanding of self-worth and body image.

I often share the positive parts of my journey, the moments when I feel strong and motivated, because that’s naturally what we tend to show. But I realize that doing only that can create the illusion that everything is always smooth and perfect. And that is simply not true. Just like anyone else, I have days when I doubt myself, when I feel discouraged, or when my body and mind don’t cooperate at all. I want to make sure you see that side too, because nobody should feel pressured to be perfect. Perfection is not the goal, balance is.

I promise to keep this space honest, open, and real. If I can help even one person feel less alone in their struggles or more inspired to take care of themselves without comparison or pressure, then this blog is serving the purpose it was created for.

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It took me a very long time to reach this point. I have gone through phases of comparing myself to others, measuring my worth based on someone else’s body, and constantly searching for something “better” in myself. I believed for years that loving myself meant looking a certain way. I am almost embarrassed thinking how many times I judged my own reflection and ignored all the beautiful things my body was doing for me. But growth comes slowly, and sometimes it comes after you fall apart more than once.

I know many of you write to me about these topics, and it is clear that so many women struggle with the same thoughts. That is why I feel ready to share more of my own experience. Selflove is not something you just wake up with one morning. It is something you learn, sometimes painfully, sometimes gently, but always honestly. It starts with stopping the fight against yourself and beginning to appreciate who you are right now, not who you think you must become.

If you want me to talk more about this and share some personal stories that helped me reach this place, let me know. I think these conversations are important, and I hope they can help someone feel less alone on their own journey.

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