Life constantly surprises us. But we couldn’t have even imagined such wonders happening as they are right now.

I was born in independent Ukraine. I barely remember my parents having no money for food. I hardly remember when people used to recycle bottles, paper, and metal to make money.

I graduated from high school in 2009 and went to the big city to get a higher education. By the way, I was able to pay for my education with state money, and I earned a scholarship. In general, everything was good. There was a big and bright future ahead of me. I was going to buy an apartment, start a happy family and live my life.

Freedom was a part of my life. You can feel the freedom in the air. It is impossible not to inhale. You think that you’re uncontrolled. The state helps you live and create conditions for a thriving life. I felt the care of the state for me, and for my child. I always felt supported and knew that I would not end up on the street.

So I always found it strange to hear the older generation speaks about the Soviet Union and dreams of returning to such a country.

I continued my education to become a licensed attorney. I came to understand the components of Ukraine’s construction as a state from the inside. Yes, Ukraine is not perfect. What country is perfect nowadays? Yes, it has its weaknesses. But it is my country, my homeland, which I want to help improve through my work. As a lawyer, I’ve seen many people. Good and bad. Rich and poor. I witnessed both lawlessness and surprising justice in defiance of the laws.

Bureaucracy and elaborate formalism also exist. But I’m sure that it is that way in every country in the world. The state revolutions that took place in Ukraine in 2008 and 2014 only confirm the will of citizens to live in freedom. It’s a manifestation of democracy. There’s no democracy in a closed country.

None of it matters today.

The old Ukraine has already been reborn. It’s already different. The globe now knows about Ukraine. It’s a pity that it’s connected with the Russian invasion.

How do I live now? I would call it freezing. Life has stopped. I never wanted to leave my house. But one day, I woke up to the explosion of a bomb in the yard and shattered glass everywhere. So, I decided it was time to go.

I can’t work now. The state bodies and courts in the territory where the attacks occur do not work. And how could it work when it feels like the world is falling apart? So the first thing people do is find out how to protect what they can of their physical lives.

I stopped waiting for things to happen. I’m not going far from home. I try to keep up-to-date on the latest legislative changes. But all of it relates exclusively to the regulation of life in wartime. It’s because we can’t think of anything else.

The disruption of ordinary life is undeniable. Movement within the country or a city is restricted. Money is limited. The meager choice of goods is evident. The collective psyche is broken. I’m personally afraid of any noise because I listen closely to every unusual sound. Sleeping well is a luxury. I fear for the life of my child first. On top of all of that, I can’t breathe freely like I used to.

But hope is alive. I can imagine going back to work, to my office, to see my friendly colleagues. I’ll have coffee in the morning, turn on my computer, and start helping people again. I believe that everything will soon be over, and a better life will begin. I’m waiting for the rebirth of both my own and society. Thanks to the world for your help.