Nothing can motivate me to do something if I don't believe in it and don't want it

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..
I am Kristina, whose day starts early and with a smile. People (or at least those who watch television) know me from the screen of the Bulgarian National Television, where since 2019 I have been hosting the morning block "The Day Begins". Nothing in television is foreign to me, I just haven't worked with an autocue :) Slowly and steadily, but also purposefully and persistently, I have walked my path to here. And I still don't stop, there is more road ahead of me — with curiosity and a strong desire to work, I continue to do what I love most and have dreamed of in my profession — to be a journalist in public television.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?
When I was very little, I wanted to become a teacher. At home, scenes were played where I "constructed" students in the classroom, tested them, and was quite strict, by the way. After that, I thought I could be a good lawyer and that law could be my thing. But somehow I couldn't imagine defending those guilty of various crimes in a courtroom. So in 8th grade, I decided that journalism was the path I wanted to take.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story.
I have never worked anything other than journalism. So, if we talk about salary and/or fee — I earned my first money only when I started as an intern at the television and simultaneously worked for a sports publication as a reporter. At that time, I was a student, maybe at the end of my first year. I lived in Student Town, my bills were not that high back then. So, with my first earned and saved money, I bought a gold ring.
Otherwise — from a very early age, I earned a few leva from my father and grandfather for the sixes I brought home.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an earlier 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 direction and example in life are our parents, our family. After that come the teachers. And I had wonderful teachers! The friendly environment also shapes us as individuals.
Today, you can easily and quickly find what you are looking for. Technologies are everywhere. However, I prefer personal contact. People, specialists in a given field, to explain to me, to tell me... I seek primary sources, read many documents, I do not prepare based on retellings and titles. I think it is important to instill this in the young today — not to copy behavior and/or information, but to reach it, to build your own perspective, to be yourself.

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in a more mature age about what motivates you to do or not do something?
I don't think I have changed in this regard. Both before and now, I have always been guided by the desire to help in any way I can to people. To seek the truth. To fight for it. To ask without hesitation. Nothing can motivate me to do something if I don't believe in it, if I don't want it.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study?
It was my personal decision. With the full support of my family. And a slight fear in them — that something might not work out as I want. I had put everything on one card — either journalism at SU "St. Kliment Ohridski", or nothing. So my father convinced me to enroll in a few "backup" specialties, just in case. But immediately after the exams, I told him, and the others — if I am not accepted now, I will be accepted next year, I will not give up and will not study anything else! Thank God — everything worked out just as I wanted.

Was this decision correct, looking at it from today's perspective?
Absolutely correct! I can't imagine my life any other way. I didn't feel these 18 years, to be honest. And this only happens when you are in your place. And you love that place.

Share more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies.
People can see me in many different places, sometimes even in one day — in the park, in the mall, at the cinema, at the theater, at the stadium... I love spending time with my son, playing or watching football. I love to cook, I think I do it quite well. I can craft many things, I am quite handy, but I won't elaborate because I am modest (hehe).

Would you change your profession today and which fields of activity capture your interest?
I am not thinking about that right now. I know that nothing lasts forever, maybe that moment will come too. But I don't want to think about that now. I feel great here, where I am.
However, I know one thing for sure — whatever I do in the future, I will do it with my heart.

They say that your 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?
That I am a good person. "Hey, that Kristina is cool :)" Not without flaws, but honest — in my words, in my thoughts, and in my actions.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills are key conditions for success in recent years. How do you cope with daily life challenges to stay in good shape and mood?
I have learned to enjoy the moment, what I have here and now. Because once I only dreamed of it. I realized that you shouldn't take yourself too seriously — I understood the meaning of the motto "do what you must, and let it be what it will". I have learned to engage only in battles that are worth it and that I think I can win. For things that do not depend on me or that I cannot change — I do not get angry and do not waste energy.
Every day I wake up with a "thank you". Because there is much to be thankful for.
Professionally — it is very easy for a person to relax and start acting on inertia. I constantly take care to keep it interesting for me, to make the conversation interesting for me. I often put myself in the viewer's position — would I watch/listen to this? And if the answer is yes — then I am on the right path.
To be honest — I also have my difficult moments. Moments when I don't feel like saying "good morning!" at all. But the moment I hear the opening of the show, I "switch off" from my emotions. I look into the camera and know that there — in its eye, there are many, many other eyes, people who deserve a bright start to their day. And I sincerely wish and give them that every time!

What are the most important conclusions you have made so far about maintaining the right communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily – colleagues, friends, relatives?
That people simply need to be accepted as they are. It is your choice who you surround yourself with, who is in your personal world.
That there is no person who remains indifferent to a smile. That good attitude and principled positions disarm even your biggest critics/opponents.
Your close ones can understand and forgive your mistakes if they are acknowledged, but they would find it hard to forget betrayal. That friends are hard to earn and easy to lose. And loved ones — are easily hurt, especially if taken for granted — care is more than love.

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?
Money for me is not a goal, but a means. Having and being are not mutually exclusive concepts, I see them as complementary. Money cannot change me. Categorically. I have had, I have not had, then I have had again, and so on. And no one has noticed the difference.
I find it pointless to ask yourself the question "are my money sufficient?". The answer is almost always and almost 100% "no" :)
It is important that your efforts, work, and skills are appropriately valued. But the key here is what you offer when you want.
I often tell students that you don't get rich from journalism in Bulgaria, just so they know. Or at least I don't know many rich journalists who have achieved this through honest work, for the benefit of people. Our work is often thankless in this regard. But people only see the shiny side of our profession. And maybe it should be that way.
I love a saying — do things not when you have time, not when you have money, but when you have the desire! So — do things with desire and then success will come, and money with it.

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?
Charge yourself with patience. Develop yourself. Don't stop. Listen and "steal" the craft. Be self-critical, don't settle for little, don't accept mediocrity as normal. Look far ahead, think about tomorrow. But also enjoy what you have achieved today.