We don't need money for many of the things that bring us the greatest joy

Представете се с няколко думи..

Десислава Василева е PR и медиен експерт. Собственик на комуникационната агенция Idea PR & advertising, създател  на  регионалния информационен  портал за новини на запад от София EspresoNews.bg и създател и председател на фондация «Добрият пример».   Има над 15 години опит в сферата на връзки с обществеността и медии. Създател и организатор на социалния проект „Работилница за репортери“  и издател на „Разкажи за твоята България“, книга събрала най-добрите произведения на 40 автора, млади таланти от проекта.

За постиженията си като млад предприемач и вдъхновител е отличена като част от "40 до 40" - проект на Дарик радио и като „Агент на промяната“ на фондация “Сошъл фючър”.

Каква мечтахте да станете в детските си години?

Когато бях малка, със семейството ми живеехме близо до детската градина и почти всеки ден на пътя към вкъщи чувах смеха на децата, които играеха в двора. Този смях носеше радост, безгрижие и една особена топлина. Именно тогава в сърцето ми се зароди мечтата да стана детска учителка. Представях си как ще прекарвам дните си сред усмихнати личица, ще разказвам приказки, ще рисуваме, ще пеем заедно и ще уча децата на нови неща, докато растем заедно. Вярвах (а и все още вярвам), че няма нищо по-прекрасно от това да си част от детския свят – свят, пълен с въображение, искреност и чиста радост.

Кои са основните фактори и примери, които ни изграждат като личност в по-ранна възраст и формират нашите интереси?

From an early age, we are influenced by our parents, family, our surroundings, as well as teachers – first in primary education, and then in higher grades. The examples we see around us play a key role – whether positive or negative.

It is important what path we choose to follow. Good examples deserve to be heard, seen, and followed, while bad ones often show us what we do not want and should not be. In both cases, the example acts as a motivator – in one way or another.

The early appearance of authorities, people we admire and want to follow – shapes our aspirations. This is what inspires me to work towards providing more good examples, to talk about the good, to show valuable things around us. I believe that when people see the positive and feel part of it, it motivates them to contribute to the good themselves – with enthusiasm, empathy, and satisfaction.

What is your recipe for curiosity, sources, a source of information, inspiration at this stage of our human development?

For me, the "recipe" is to maintain broad awareness by informing ourselves from different sources. Today we live in an ocean of information, where it is increasingly difficult to filter what is real, what has value, where the true content is, and where  the information offered to us contains meaning and value. Therefore, it is important to seek different perspectives, to share valuable and inspiring things with others, and to create a culture of awareness and consciousness.

It is crucial not to accept everything at 100%, because each person perceives information through their own prism, through their personal experience. Yes, we are all human and have similarities, but each person's path is different. Information that at a given moment is useful and inspiring for one may not resonate with another – and that is completely normal. What matters is not only the content but also the moment it reaches us.

Something, that we read two or three years ago and which did not touch us at all back then, may now, at this stage of our lives, shake us and change our perceptions. This shows how important not only the content of the information is, but also the moment when it reaches us. Every stage of our development and our life path carries a different perspective and abilities to perceive things. When we encounter a certain idea or concept at a specific moment, it may not seem significant to us or we may not be able to fully comprehend it. But if we meet it again later, after some time, when we have gone through different experiences and have accumulated new knowledge and experience, the same information may be perceived in a completely different way and inspire us for new thoughts and actions. So, besides the sources of information, the moment when you come across it is also important.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was that decision correct, looking at today's date?

When I was at an age when I had to make a decision about my future, events happened that put me in a particularly emotional state. At 16 years old, I was actively involved in sports – sports dancing, volleyball, modern ballet. I was always on the move, from training to training, and my dream was to develop in sports. But when injuries and pains came, the doctors categorically forbade me any physical exertion – not just sports, but even running, jumping, riding a bike. And so from a hyperdynamic person, I had to become something completely opposite to what I am. This was a real shock for me and I didn't know what to do.

Then my literature teacher saw something in me and told me: “Desi, you have the potential to become a wonderful PR. You are communicative and smiling. I think this would be your calling!”. She sensed something that I myself had not noticed.

I followed her advice and enrolled in “Public Relations”, and today, I still work in this field. Looking back, I feel that this was indeed the right choice, even though at the moment of making the decision I wasn't entirely sure. Often in our lives, we find ourselves doubting our own abilities, getting lost in our fears and doubts. In those moments, we cannot see clearly what our calling actually is, because we do not have that distance that would allow us to look at ourselves from the outside. And what currently attracts us, may be something temporary, like an emotion, like an interest. But it is important to have someone who can inspire us with confidence and say “You can, keep going!”.

I love everything beautiful and dynamic. I love music, nature, food, scents...  the impact on all senses. Although I no longer dance sports dances, I continue to adore them and watch them. Folk dances also bring me a lot of joy. I can dance numerous Bulgarian horo, I love painting and singing. I do not miss enjoying sunsets, because I find it hard to get up early to watch the sunrise. I love being among the nature, to recharge from the sun, colors, and beautiful views. Everything that impacts my senses inspires me.

Would you change your profession today and which areas of activity grab your attention?

At this moment, I am in a period of reflection and awareness. A period in which I ask myself what I really want and what I can do. This is a stage of my life in which I feel the need for change, but also for a deeper search for myself.

When we dedicate ourselves to a profession, we inevitably engage with it. Especially when we combine the role of a professional and a parent, balancing between career and personal life is a real challenge. It takes a lot of time and energy.

In moments like this, it is important to be able to afford to stop, to take a little time to be with ourselves and to hear our inner voice. To understand what really excites us and what it would be that we would like to do. It often turns out that we have to meet the expectations of others – partners, family, employers, colleagues, and everyone we are connected to, and in this process sometimes we forget about ourselves.

This moment for me is now. A moment in which I give myself time for a creative pause, to discover what I would really like to do and what would suit my heart. They say that personal branding is everything that people say about you when you are not in the room.

What would you like to hear today?

I would like to hear that Desi is a good person who puts all her energy, emotion, and passion into showing good examples, as well as that she herself is an inspiring example for others. I want to hear that Desi engages people in causes, initiatives, meaningful activities that make them think about the important things in life. About how they treat nature, their loved ones, and the future of their children. I am a woman who does not stop dreaming and pursuing her goals with enthusiasm and inspiration. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility are those quiet but powerful forces that in recent years have shown us the way to true success. Because success is not measured only in achievements, but in how we change the world around us.

Как се справяте с ежедневните предизвикателства на живота, за да останете в добра форма и настроение?

Първо и най-важно, дисциплината е от съществено значение. Понякога ни липсва мотивация или енергия да направим нещо, но важното е да не се отказваме, а да продължаваме напред.

Да, важно е да слушаме тялото си, да обърнем внимание на това, което ни казва, кога и какво да правим. В същото време не трябва да се поддаваме на мързел. Когато сме установили здравословни навици и ясен график, е добре да го следваме. Разбира се, можем да си позволим да не сме 100% във всичко което правим. Ако сме уморени или не се чувстваме добре, не е задължително да се придържаме към графика на всяка цена. Въпреки това, добре организираната рутина, която е в съответствие с нуждите на нашето тяло, е важна за поддържането на добра физическа форма и здраве. Когато мислим за нашето хранене и изобщо за всички ежедневни дейности, дейностите, които извършваме, трябва да бъдат внимателно подбрани и съзнателни. Важно е винаги да намираме време за себе си и да се посветим на това, което обичаме.

Какви са най-важните заключения, които сте направили относно правилната комуникация с хората, които срещате ежедневно – колеги, приятели, близки?

Всеки човек е уникален и има свой собствен житейски път. Всеки преминава през различни етапи, изпитва различни емоции, има различни настроения, а първото правило е: Не взимайте нищо лично! Също така е важно да приемаме хората такива, каквито са. Лично аз винаги се опитвам да виждам доброто, красивото и ценното в другите, да се радвам на техните успехи и да им благодаря. Така, вместо да се фокусирам върху слабостите, насочвам вниманието си към техните положителни качества. Всеки човек има своите силни и слаби страни, но когато изберем да се фокусираме върху доброто, когато помагаме на хората да разпознаят и развият тези качества, това носи ползи и удовлетворение както за тях, така и за нас.

Какво мислите за парите? Какво е влиянието им върху живота ви? Какъв е съветът ви към хората, които често задават въпроси, свързани с парите и колко е достатъчно?

Парите са важни, защото ни осигуряват това, от което се нуждаем, за да живеем в този материален свят. Вместо да се фокусираме върху това как да изкарваме пари или да създаваме бизнес планове, водещото за мен е да бъда полезен. Когато правим това, което обичаме, когато следваме това, което наистина ни вдъхновява, тогава можем да се наречем успешни.

Тогава парите идват естествено, защото даваме най-доброто от себе си. Човек трябва да прави това, в което наистина е силен. Ако правите нещо насилствено, ако се опитвате да правите нещо, което не е ваше, това се усеща и резултатите често са незадоволителни.

True effectiveness comes when you dedicate yourself to what you can and love. And when that happens, money follows. Whether it is enough or not – that is a matter of personal vision and perception. Everyone has a different understanding of money. For me, life does not consist only of them. I can enjoy many things that do not require funds or material resources. For example, walks in nature, watching the sunset, enjoying blooming trees and flowers. There are so many things we can do without money, and which bring us true joy.

Какъв е най-ценният съвет за кариера, който бихте дали на хората?

I don't know if I can give the most valuable career advice, but I can give advice from the heart –  do what gives you meaning, what makes you feel alive and inspired. Don't forget to challenge yourself as well. Sometimes the path seems difficult, and our goals are distant and almost unattainable. And yet, when we are ready to face our fears, when we step out of our comfort zone and are willing to try, then we will discover new strengths within ourselves that we didn't even suspect. With every step forward, satisfaction and self-esteem will  grow. And when we walk with faith and love towards what we do, we become not only better in our profession but also in life as a whole!