(IN) COURAGE

It is my honor that Dafni participated in this. We worked together when she was living in the USA, and she works hard and incredibly talented. Though I was her Project Manager, she taught me so much! I love her zest for life and her tenacity, and happy to call her friend. Hope that you enjoy this, just as much as I did!

1) What do you do for a career? (also include if you are a parent/grandparent)

I am an architect who works in a firm in Cyprus and at the same time I am trying to do my own projects. I am also an amateur landscape photographer, who would like to become a professional, a traveler of the world and a blogger. Being a mum of an almost 2 year old boy in parallel with my career makes me feel complete as a person. 

2) Who has inspired you? Why?

Instead of who, I would like to change the question to what has inspired me. And the answer is the world, the different cultures, textures, smells, food, colors, landscapes, dances and music. Everything new is an experience, it is food for thought and development.

I am also inspired by many people, e.g women who managed to find their voice in their professional career (and my previous office had a lot of great examples) and people who are seeing the beauty of the world without being skeptical. 

3) What are some examples of things you’ve done that are courageous?

In 2018 I traveled with a group of photographers in Vietnam, Cambodia and then I continued solo to Thailand. It was a trip with a duration of a month and it was the best experience of my life. I challenged myself multiple times, while I was learning to take good photographs and socialize with new people.

Every new beginning requires courage. And the last couple years, I had some new beginnings in new countries and I feel proud of myself for being able to go through everything easily.

4) Do you have a ‘bucket list’? Would you mind sharing at least one thing on that list?

My bucket list contains mostly trips. My dream is to visit Mexico and Cuba. Every next trip is a dream. Planning a trip is an exciting part of the process, it allows me to dream and once I am at the destination, I am living my dream.

5) What inspiring advice would you give for others? 

It is ok to say no. It is not always easy to disagree with someone, to say no to your boss or to your parents and friends. Saying no is a way to put boundaries and everything will be easier tif you show who you are and what you want. Having yourself as a priority is the best present that you can offer to you.

6) Is there something about you/your work or hobby you’d like to be shared? 

Landscape photography is my way to express my thoughts and feelings. I am lucky to be able to travel and capture moments. I don’t want to stop doing even if it gets more and more difficult with the pressure of everyday life.

7) HOT SEAT! What is your question for me?

Which was the scariest moment of your life?

WoW! Once again, its hard to states an EST….scariest, hardest, best…its the same as saying a favorite thing. But…. I’ll do my best to answer this.

Getting sick was scary, wrote a bit about that in a previous post with Krysta. https://incourage.page/2024/04/27/7-questions/

Fighting Full Contact was scary, and wrote a bit about that here.
https://incourage.page/2024/06/07/failure-but-then/

There were times in my childhood that were scary. Not really ready to let all that out in the open. I’ll say this much though, going to school was scary.

Part of me wishes I could go back and give my younger-self the confidence and courage she needed. It’s one of the biggest reasons I teach is to help others, especially young girls.

After passing my Architecture Exams, I started to so a lot of work on myself, inside and out. As part of my bucket or ‘to-do’ list I wanted to do more things that scare me and face them. So far, I’ve tried Zip-lining, Climbing Towers in Prague, Hiking/Climbing in AZ, going into caves and trying to do more public speaking/teaching.

In many ways I do it for ‘Little Jessica’