Elena: Pain changes us. And when we face it and survive, we discover that we have become... wiser. And braver... (Hannah Richel, 'The House by the River').

I completely agree with this. When events happen to you that sweep away and destroy everything you've built and worked towards for so long, it can break you for a moment, and winter happens, not outside, but within your soul. Dreams that once gave you chills become empty; you want nothing more and feel as if the world around you has come to a halt. But that is definitely not the case, and I know that now! The Hiroshima inside heals up; it just takes time.

Gradually, everything falls back into place, and you are reborn, renewed like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. You become strong and realize that all of this was for your benefit, for your development and the acquisition of new experiences. It's essential during this period to find a point of support. This could be people, not always your kin, but who will always support you and understand you, with whom you feel alive and like you grow wings.

Support can be found everywhere: in the pages of books, in good movies, in travels, in spirituality, and simply by continuing to move forward.

Elena: With pleasure.

• Always choose yourself;
• Take care of yourself;
• Wake up with a smile and thank God for all the good things happening in your life here and now;
• Make a delicious breakfast in the morning;
• Engage in sports;
• Do what fills and inspires you;
• Live with mindfulness. We often live in the past or the future, and few people are able to live in the present, which is not easy. But the skill of living mindfully can and should be learned;
• Communicate with loved ones and friends who uplift you;
• Learn new things, acquire new knowledge and skills, because this is how you grow and don’t stay stagnant.

Elena: 'The Bhagavad Gita As It Is' (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada).
This book is the quintessence of spiritual wisdom from India, one of the greatest philosophical and poetic works, and at the same time, one of the primary sacred texts of the world. For me, this book became a religious revelation and the discovery of God within my soul. It’s now my go-to book!

'Man's Search for Meaning' (Victor Frankl). This book is based on the author's personal experience of surviving the Holocaust. It teaches us how to find meaning in life and inner resources, even in the most seemingly challenging circumstances.

'Alice in Wonderland' (Lewis Carroll). This famous tale explores absurdity and logic, as well as the themes of growing up and self-discovery, much like everything in our lives.

Elena: Youth is a state of soul, of inner psychology; it's a time of possibilities, discoveries, and growth. For some, it's a stage they wish to prolong, while for others, it's just one of many life periods, each valuable in its own way. Thankfully, modern society is increasingly embracing the idea that beauty, energy, and opportunities are not defined by age.

Elena: I would say that activity is essential for everyone. As long as you are active, moving, learning, and striving for something, you are living.

Elena: Independence and self-reliance. It helps me both in work and in life

Elena: A wise, fairly active, and cheerful woman who continues to learn and pass on her experiences to the younger generation; a person filled with inner light in her soul.

Elena: I believe that with age, confidence in oneself and one's feminine attractiveness tends to diminish. I won't list everything that’s being said everywhere these days—self-care, exercise, a positive mindset, etc. Yes, all of that is important. In my view, it's crucial to remain active at any age, to learn new things, to not be afraid to try the unfamiliar, to constantly challenge your brain, and not let it relax too much. Appreciate what you have.

Elena: I have always accepted my age calmly, without any inner turmoil. Yes, age brings certain things to an end, but it also introduces new sensations. I have liked myself at every age. Right now, I like myself even more because, with age, there’s also inner beauty that people can sense.

Elena: Energy and love for life aren't something that just appears on their own; they are things we create every day with our thoughts, actions, and attitude towards the world. I’ve discovered a simple recipe for happiness that gives me both energy and awakens my love for life – gratitude.

When you live constantly from a place of gratitude to God, the world, and people, your life changes, filling with joy, meaning, and inspiration. We are the main source of our energy.

Elena: It's about seeing and noticing positive events in your life, even the small ones. Regular attention to positive happenings helps change your perception of reality, fosters positive thinking, and improves your overall emotional state. For example, I keep a dairy of positive events that happened to me throughout the day—simple things like nice weather, my dog greeting me with a lick on the face in the morning, a passerby smiling at me, a store assistant providing excellent service, and so on.

Elena: It lies in the differences in values and priorities across generations. I was born and raised during the Soviet Union, so I tend to focus more on family values, stability, and traditions.

The younger generation, in my opinion, is currently overloaded with information and is more focused on self-realization and freedom of choice, while family values and traditions seem to have taken a backseat. To achieve mutual understanding between generations, we need to be able to listen and hear each other, learn to speak openly, discuss, seek common ground, and be more tolerant.

Elena: As for the aesthetics of age, I believe it exists and is expressed through the harmony between one’s inner world and the external changes they experience. It’s more about inner beauty than outer beauty, which comes with age and reflects the wisdom, experience, and uniqueness of each life stage. This aesthetic is not only seen in one’s appearance but also in how one relates to themselves, their lifestyle, and their internal state when they are filled with light and reflect that light to those around them.

Elena: I've been following the "Aesthetics of Age" project for quite some time, watching the stories of other people, and my dream was to try myself as a model. I needed this to build my self-confidence, to prove to myself that I can do it and gain new experiences. Confidence is one of the most fundamental structures; when you have confidence, there's no fear. The phrase resonates with me: 'If you want to change your life, start doing what you've never done before'.

Elena: Probably step out of their comfort zone. For example, fasting for a few days can be quite an experience to discover yourself and your capabilities or being alone on an uninhabited island, just you and nothing else, to get to know yourself better, understand your desires and goals.

Sometimes we don’t know ourselves well — we can't find the time for it — and then we regret the missed opportunities, leaving without truly knowing ourselves or trying new things.

Elena: Every person discovers the meaning of life through their actions and experiences. My philosophy is to fear nothing, move forward, and not look back. To be happy and grateful, filled with inner light, to carry that light to others, to think positively and constantly learn new things. Always stay resourceful and view the world with positivity and deep gratitude, no matter what happens. Find your people, never let your wings droop, as your people are also searching for you, waiting, and hoping to meet.

Sometimes life “pushes” us into a new situation, and only we can decide to accept that challenge and grow or to get upset and disappointed. A positive mindset means a lot. There’s a very good ability: the ability to focus on positive things and thereby motivate oneself. In psychology, this is called “intrinsic motivation”—motivation that comes from within you. After all, one of the most wonderful feelings is the ability to motivate yourself and inspire others.