That 16-year-old turned 26
30.12.2025
In 2015, I stopped eating meat.
I am starting this post with this epiphany because it equipped me with a fundamental piece of wisdom that has been my guiding star to this day: that I do not want to do harm to others.
I do not intend to follow my ego – the need to control, dominate or oppress. I do not wish to feel above anyone. I do not wish to follow what has been prewritten for me. I can erase some almost socially inborn presuppositions, such as the belief that a piece of meat on my plate is just food, and not the body of a living creature.
In 2015, I erased more things. I did not receive the sacrament of confirmation like my peers. I rejected the Catholic religion that I had been surrounded by since birth. Instead, I believed in humanity – and in some little magical energies all around us.
In 2015, I started learning French. Wow. What a beginning. I still cannot believe how much it has brought into my life. Stories. Music. Relationships. Communities. Letters. Studies. A career path. Inspirations. Beliefs. Openness. Passion.
If someone had told me back then, in 2015, that in ten years I would be a French teacher at the French Institute, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. Learning French has been a challenge for me. I have always loved it, but I struggled to believe that I could ever successfully communicate in that language, let alone teach it. This path has shown me that curiosity, passion and consistency work wonders, even if it sometimes takes time. We need patience.
When I was 16, I wrote my first poetry book. I have been writing since I was six (and the number six is my favourite one!! 6, 16, 26… all the most special years. I am now awaiting 36 with impatience!!). At 16, I got involved in many literary projects: a musical-lyrical album, fairy tales, a theatre play, a novel and this poetry book. I didn’t finish any of them – except for that poetry book. Today, I believe it is the most significant one to me. So in 2025, I decided to print a few copies of it for its tenth anniversary.
My poetry book explored themes of womanhood. Being a woman and loving a woman. Because when I was 16, I discovered my queer identity. It took me a while to fully embrace it, reveal it and approach it with true celebration. I consider it one of the greatest beauties – and also one of the greatest challenges – of my life. Certainly remarkable. I am glad to be my true self, with pride, today. I feel devoted to helping others feel the same.
I still remember visiting Warsaw when I was 16. I was standing in Łazienki Królewskie, my favourite park, and I thought: What about writing a novel about this place? And what about living in Warsaw?
I wrote a short novel about Łazienki Królewskie in 2020 and in 2022 I moved to Warsaw. Dreams come true. They really do. All the time.
It was ten years ago. On the 30th of December 2025, I turned 26. That is truly unbelievable. I am proud to say that I remained true to myself and became the person my 16-year-old self would admire. I kept my promises, even if I got lost many times along the way.
Being a teenager can be tough. I was so afraid that I wouldn’t manage to live the authentic life I longed for – a life without giving up on myself and my core values. A life in which I could be transparent, truly understood, seen and spiritually fulfilled. At peace with myself. Self-aligned. But it is possible.
Today, I love teaching young minds of this age – those who stand in front of the same challenges. Exploring their identity, discovering their dreams and goals, shaping their values. Still not having enough tools to face some difficulties, and yet being overloaded with external expectations. I would love to give each young learner a helping hand, help them believe that they are amazing just the way they are and show them how to bring out their potential in feasible, meaningful ways.
Shine bright Superstars!
You can do it!!!
