01/16/2025
I watched a movie about my favorite DJ, Avicii. It brought back so many memories and emotions. When I was 20 years old, living in Ukraine, the only concert I ever dreamed of attending was his. I remember seeing announcements for his shows in Miami or other faraway places, but it all felt so out of reach for someone like me. Back then, I didn’t dare to dream big for myself, even though I was always a creative person.
When I heard about his passing, it was a massive shock. His music and creativity amazed me. In the movie, they said his biggest struggle was between Avicii and Tim. He was a quiet, humble person who never saw himself as a big star. And when the world saw him as one, he couldn’t connect with that image. He felt like he had to be someone else to live up to the idea of “Avicii.”
That hit me deeply because in 2024, I felt a similar struggle. I thought I had to fit a certain role as a videographer, sharing only polished, professional content. I felt it wasn’t appropriate to show my real life, my true self. But hiding who you are comes at a cost. Avicii’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen when you feel trapped by expectations. To be yourself, especially in a world that celebrates perfection, takes an enormous amount of courage.
It’s so hard to stay true to yourself when it seems like everyone else is perfect, successful, and thriving. But I’m learning to let go of those comparisons.
These photos remind me of how far I’ve come. Sitting by a tree in Hawaii, reachable only by helicopter, was once unimaginable for a girl from a middle-class family in Ukraine. Yet I made it there. And I want to keep allowing myself to dream big—and to be myself unapologetically.
In 2025, I want to embrace me. My unpopular opinions, my imperfections, my truth. I want to live with courage and honesty. Because that’s where the real beauty is.
