Noémi Andrikó

I spent my childhood in a tiny village in Szabolcs, where not only dirt roads but also destinies intertwined between the houses. The village's population barely reached a thousand, and even as a child, I encountered the sharp contrasts of social differences early on. Many families lived in difficult circumstances, and extreme poverty was not just a statistical data – it was everyday reality. Yet, the environment, which at first seemed closed, sparked the opposite in me: a desire for the unknown, the diversity of the world, and experiences. Even then, I knew that if I dared to set out, there were many things waiting for me out there.

The love for travel was somehow always present for us – a family legacy. My parents now live in the Netherlands, and my sibling in Belgium.

While this physical distance was painful at first, over time I realized: it's not the kilometers that matter, but how tight a bond we can maintain with each other. For us, this distance rather strengthened than weakened our relationships.

Self-discovery is present in many ways in my life – both in travel and in quiet reflection. Initially, I sought myself in a completely different direction: I attended a high school with a drama department, and I was sure I was going to be an actress.

Then came a point where I had to honestly face that although I love art, my talent does not truly unfold on this path. It was a painful realization, but also liberating – because from then on, I got much closer to who I really am.

Art has since remained an important part of my life. I enjoy going to theaters, reading, and writing. Writing poetry has accompanied me since childhood – initially, it was just a game, today it is much more of a self-therapy. I lost a family member very dear to me when I was ten, and with that loss, I came to know the concept of grief. That's when I truly understood how deep unspoken feelings can reach – and how much it can help if they are put on paper.

I believe that we all have the ability to heal ourselves. Sometimes we can't put into words what we need – but if we find a channel through which we can connect with ourselves, it can start something.

A person is constantly evolving, changing, and shaping. So am I.

If I look back at myself from a year ago, I see a person who already felt that something should be done for their physical and mental health – but neither the time nor the motivation was there yet. Today, however, I would feel strange if a week passed without running or going out into nature.

Exercise and being outside have become that inner space where I can quiet down and reconnect with myself.

This lifestyle change was not the result of a miracle or magic, but a decision. A decision to give myself a chance. To try something I don't know, and take time to even come to love it. I believe that we all deserve this chance – to set out on a path at our own pace, a path that brings us closer to who we truly are.