I was an "A" student at school. It probably sounds like a cliché, but believe me - for me, it wasn't just about grades. It was my way of saying to myself: "I can do it, I can handle it." I was a diligent student, studying came easy to me, and I was proud of it. It often seemed that if I fully concentrated on studying, then everything else - people, emotions, relationships - could wait. Boys? Yes, they were there, but they hardly interested me in a real way. It seemed to me that they were something secondary, unnecessary, even distracting.

I can't say that I was cold or prim. It's just that in my head at that time it was like this: knowledge, success, career, and then... then you can think about love. As a child and teenager, I spent a lot of time in prayer, in a Catholic parish, where I learned to value inner peace and discipline. Faith gave me support, helped me to be strong and calm. But, I admit, I didn't fully understand then that love is not just a feeling, but a state of mind for which you need to be prepared.

As the years went by, I noticed that many acquaintances, classmates, and friends were starting to build their lives and relationships around me. Some got married, some were already living with a partner, and I was still on hold, not particularly eager to open my heart to anyone. Sometimes I even thought to myself: "Well, maybe this is how it should be?"

But then one day — and this happened closer to my thirties — I suddenly realized that it was a big, albeit quiet, wrong choice. I realized that life is not only about achievements and career goals, but also about real feelings that make us truly alive. I felt sorry for those years when I put off love “for later”, as if it were some kind of extra lesson that could be skipped.

Having rethought all this, I began to look at myself and those around me in a new way. I realized that there is no universal scenario according to which life should go. There is no “right” age to fall in love, and there is no wrong way to show feelings. It is only important to be honest with yourself, not to be afraid to take small steps towards another person.

Now I often think about how great it is that each of us has the opportunity to learn — not only from textbooks and lectures, but also from life, from relationships, from mistakes and successes. And even if someone thinks that it is too late to start something new, this is a misconception. Life is an endless journey, and there is always room for love, understanding and warmth.

To be honest, sometimes it seems to me that many of us are simply afraid to show our vulnerability. We put on masks of strong, independent people, forgetting that true strength is in the ability to be vulnerable and open. I also learn this every day, and it is sometimes scary, but very important.

Thank you for reading these thoughts. May each of us have many bright moments, sincere meetings and inner peace.

And how did you feel about such excellent students when you were younger?

Lana Banana