Dream Freely

What habit has been sustaining you lately?
Cycling with music in my ears. It always feels like I’m inside a film scene—the movement, the wind, the soundtrack. My thoughts open up and I can dream freely again.

What time of day do you feel most like yourself?
Early mornings, before the world reaches me. That’s when I feel most like myself—clear, quiet, and able to think without interruption.

When recently did you feel out of place?
Lately, I feel more aligned than ever. I’m working on projects that genuinely interest and excite me, and I’m managing to make a living from the thing that’s truly mine. That feels big to me.

What are you still holding onto even though you know you’ll eventually have to let go?
Probably my freedom—the ability to go on adventures by myself. I’m an adventurous person. I love traveling, wandering, photographing, and discovering new places. I know that one day, if I have a family, this kind of freedom will probably change shape.

What scares you more today: change or staying the same? Why?
Staying in the same place is always what scares me the most. I love movement, discovery, and trying new things. As a photographer, I’m constantly working on different and diverse projects, which suits my personality perfectly. I always try to focus on what feels most exciting and meaningful to me right now, rather than making long-term plans, because I know I’m always changing.

Tell us about a recent experience that made you change your mind or stop believing in something.
A recent experience that made me change my mind was deciding to become fully independent. I had been afraid of leaving my stable job for a long time, but taking that step felt very brave and opened up a whole new world for me. Surprisingly, I now feel much more confident than I ever did before.

Recommend a movie, an album, and a book and tell us why you liked each one.
Movie: Lost in Translation by Sofia Coppola. A quiet, delicate film that captures small, intimate moments. I love how it feels both lonely and tender at the same time.

Album: Carrie & Lowell from Sufjan Stevens. This album has accompanied me through many periods of my life. It was the soundtrack to my first solo trip on my 26th birthday in Madrid. That trip was really meaningful for me—realizing I could travel and enjoy my own company. It felt almost like a spiritual experience, and this album was with me throughout it all.

Book: Children’s Letters to God by Stuart H. Clarke. It’s a collection of letters children have written to God. There’s something so simple, pure, and innocent about it, and yet it’s deeply moving and teaches you so much about hope, honesty, and seeing the world through a child’s eyes.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
La Siciliana in Catania, Sicily. I wouldn’t call it my favorite restaurant, since I’ve only been there once, but I want to write about a place I visited on one of my recent trips. I got there after taking a bus from Palermo and walking uphill for half an hour with my gear. It was completely worth it. It’s a simple, traditional spot, with older waiters and a mix of simplicity, tradition, and elegance. The pasta and Bolognese were prepared right at a table in the middle of the restaurant. The service was very warm, and at the end, I was treated to a pistachio gelato that reminded me of the Italian restaurant I worked at for five years.

Which friend have you admired lately, and why?
A photographer I’ve admired recently is Michal Chelbin. She’s not a personal friend, but her work moves me deeply. Her projects are so powerful and emotional. She often explores adolescence, and her project on prisons in Ukraine is truly breathtaking.