Look at the big picture, not the fleeting difficulty

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..
My name is Andjelika Dzhambazova – an actress and content creator at the Satirical Theater "Aleko Konstantinov", a lecturer in stage speech at the Theater College "Lyuben Groys" and a budding writer. I love words – both spoken and written – and I believe in their power to inspire, change, and connect people.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?
As a child, I wanted to be several things at once, and today I realize that I have largely achieved that. My earliest dream was to be a teacher. Then the desire to establish an animal shelter and an orphanage appeared. Later, when I began to recognize the injustices in life, I decided that I would become a lawyer and fight them all. Journalism seemed to me like an opportunity to be the voice of the unheard, and acting – a way to change lives through emotion and art. I have always dreamed of a path connected with people, and it has come true!

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story.
At 12 years old, I first stepped onto a construction site with my stepfather, who often took me with him during the summer. I handed tools, ran for coffee, held beams, hammered nails and dowels. I learned a lot about building a roof from scratch. I can help even today if someone needs advice!
But my first professional touch with one of my passions was at Radio Varna, where I hosted a youth program. Shortly after that, I also started at "Cherno More" television, where I was also the host of a teenage show. We were sent from school to the radio, and I went to the television with the idea of apprenticing, but at both places, more experienced people recognized my enthusiasm and lent me a hand. Naturally, I was very inexperienced and I have often mixed up the names of the guests. The most memorable blunder remains when I called the then mayor of Varna, Ivan Portnih. Thank God for editing!

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests? What is your recipe for curiosity, sources, and wells of information and inspiration at this stage of our human development?
Our first encounter with the world is through the eyes of our parents – what music they listen to, how they communicate with each other, whether they go to the theater, what it smells like at home. They hold in their hands our initial idea of personality. It is also their responsibility to teach us to be brave and free. After them comes the environment – honestly unpredictable, sometimes treacherous, but also full of opportunities.
School and teachers leave a deep imprint on our still wavering self-awareness, and it is very important at this stage of our development that they are adequate and resilient. It was precisely in elementary school, thanks to my literature teacher, that I discovered the world of books. They became a primary source of knowledge and awakened my curiosity about everything – past, present, and future. This also ignited my imagination, which constantly interrupted the reality around me.
When we add valuable films, series, and games that develop our cognitive abilities, we have a wonderful foundation for child development.

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in more mature age about what motivates you to do or not do something?
Before, I believed that I could change the world. Now I know that I can change and improve myself and the environment around me – and that is enough for me.
With the accumulation of life experience, a person inevitably changes their perceptions. The main similarity with my earlier motivation is that I still have a deep need to help, and the main difference is that I do not impose my help where it is not wanted. At an earlier age, I wanted to prove myself a lot, without asking myself whether this aligns with my values. Today, every action I take is a conscious choice, aligned not with others' expectations, but with my own understandings of value and meaning.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was this decision correct, viewed from today's perspective?
The decision was entirely mine. My parents have always given me the freedom to explore the world in my own way. I decided on my own that I would become an actress and that I would stay in Bulgaria. They, of course, imagined a much more secure and lucrative profession for me, but not for a moment did they impose their views, for which I am very grateful.
Was it a "correct" decision? I don't know – maybe somewhere in the world other opportunities are waiting for me. But everything I experience here and now is consistent, satisfying, and mine.

Share more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies.
My interests are many and change quite quickly. Almost every month I have a new idea that disappears as suddenly as it appeared. The only lasting thing in this whirlwind is acting – the hobby that has grown into a profession. Recently, another old love – writing – has returned to it. Since I work three things at once, I often do not have the emotional resource to devote myself to it as I would like.

Would you change your profession today and which fields of activity capture your interest?
I have often asked myself this question, and at this stage, the answer is: no, I would not. Simply because nothing else has excited and obsessed me so deeply until now. If one day something ignites me with the same passion, I would consider it. But for now, my heart remains here.

They say that the personal brand is everything that people say about you when you are not in the same room with them. What would you like to hear today?
I would like to know that I have managed to make someone smile today. That they watched my performance and forgot about the problems outside the hall. That they felt heard and not alone. That they can't wait to see me again.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills, are key conditions for success in recent years. How do you cope with the daily challenges of life to stay in good shape and mood?
I remind myself that we are all mortal and ask myself the question: "Will this matter in 5 years?". Most often the answer is "no", which relieves a lot of the pressure. Then I remind myself how vast the Universe is and how I am a subatomic particle in a speck of dust floating in the air.
Practically – I do everything responsibly and with attention, I train my body, listen to good music, walk through galleries and parks alone, maintain meaningful conversations, strive to be honest, and hope for the best.

What are the most important conclusions you have made so far about maintaining proper communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily – colleagues, friends, close ones?
That everything is a matter of perspective. We cannot expect people to think like us – they come with different empirical experiences, values, wounds, and dreams. We cannot measure them with the same yardstick. I strive to approach with empathy and patience.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?
I think they are a means for better existence and nothing more than that. They influence me to the extent that I allow them. I do not believe they should be an end in themselves – that is empty. My advice is: strive for value, not for amount.

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?
Be honest with yourself and others. Develop your skills consistently. Look at the big picture, not the fleeting difficulty. Be patient and do everything with love!