Living With the Unknown: YouLEAD Alumni Reflect on Life in Wartime Ukraine

Growing up and planning for the future is rarely simple — and in wartime Ukraine, uncertainty shapes even the smallest decisions. We asked YouLEAD alumni a straightforward but deeply personal question: How are you doing right now?

Valeria Makarenko

Standing at the Edge of Adulthood

I want to share my mini-story, because it feels very relevant to me right now 🤲🏻
I’m in 11th grade, and this constant sense of uncertainty feels especially intense. On social media, I constantly see people getting accepted somewhere, moving, making “the right” choices — whether to study in Ukraine or abroad, who to become next. At the same time, I realize that my school years, which were relatively stable and predictable, are coming to an end, and a completely new stage is beginning — university and adult life.

Sometimes it becomes anxiety-inducing because I don’t know how everything will turn out. In moments like these, I calm myself down with simple things: I remind myself that everyone takes exams and that I will pass them too; that if others managed to get accepted, I will be able to as well.

Changing the content I consume also helps me a lot. It’s a very weird life hack, and I haven’t really heard of others doing it, but when my screen time is 8+ hours a day and the perfect images on social media start to feel overwhelming, I deliberately look for real people’s stories. I literally type the question that worries me into TikTok — something like “real adulthood” — and scroll through the comment sections 🫣

And probably the biggest thing that supports me is the belief that everything unfolds the way it’s meant to, and that everyone arrives at what’s theirs at the right time for them. What’s meant for you won’t pass you by, as they say.

 

Alisa Scherbak

Finding Courage Through Movement and Change

I support myself by trying to go somewhere at least once a month, even if it’s just a one-day trip to a small town in Ukraine. Changing places and surroundings really helps me reset, regain a sense of movement, and remind myself how much there still is to see — that the world is bigger than everyday routine. That’s where my courage lies for me ))

Stefania Durytska

Finding Stability in Small, Controllable Steps

At times, when I’m faced with uncertainty, I try to focus on what I have right now and what I can control. Usually, I make a list of tasks or actions that have already been completed, regardless of how small or ordinary they might seem. This helps encourage me and allows me to see the entire path I’ve already taken, giving me a clearer understanding of the next steps.

And despite everything, sometimes simply going for a walk with friends brings me back to the thought that “it’s okay” and motivates me to keep moving forward 🙂

 

Yelezaveta “Lizzy” Zolotorova

Meeting Uncertainty Instead of Escaping It

When things get heavy, I disappear from conversations and give myself time to be alone. Sports, movement, and nature are my way not of running away from my thoughts, but of meeting them. During workouts, I think about everything that doesn’t have a clear answer and allow those questions to simply exist.

Sometimes I write down all my thoughts without any filter, then tell myself “stop” and reread them. Strangely enough, that’s often where the answers already are. Sometimes those thoughts turn into song lyrics. Sometimes into an essay.

But the most effective thing I’ve realized is simply to keep going. Even when you don’t know what to do next, it’s worth continuing to do what has always had meaning for you. What brought you closer to your goal before still works in times of uncertainty.

It’s important to remember that in moments like these, you’ve often simply outgrown an old desire. This is an opportunity to understand yourself better and discover new interests: reread the classics, dive into something unexpected, even figure out Formula 1. But one of the most important things is time spent just with yourself and the things you do.

register now

More Articles, Pro Tips & Mission Updates

Living With the Unknown: YouLEAD Alumni Reflect on Life in Wartime Ukraine

January 20, 2026 No Comments

In times when so little can be controlled and so much pressure falls on the shoulders of the younger generation, Ukrainian youth have never given up. YouLEAD brought 16 participants to the USA in 2025 for professional growth and a breath of peace away from war. These young leaders continue to inspire their communities and remind the world what courage looks like.

Read More »

Pro Tip: Polarity Management Framework

October 24, 2025 No Comments

When things go off script, when tension rises, deadlines press, or feedback stings, how do you respond? 

For most leaders, resilience is about the ability to move through emotional intensity with awareness and agility, so you can respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. All while maintaining a calming and inspiring demeanor in front of your team. Lumina Learning’s EQ tool Lumina Emotion helps develop that important skill. 

Read More »

Ksyusha Lohvinenko: What happens to a Leader during Wartime?

October 24, 2025 No Comments

In times when so little can be controlled and so much pressure falls on the shoulders of the younger generation, Ukrainian youth have never given up. YouLEAD brought 16 participants to the USA in 2025 for professional growth and a breath of peace away from war. These young leaders continue to inspire their communities and remind the world what courage looks like.

Read More »

How to Build Resilience in Yourself and Others

September 30, 2025 No Comments

When things go off script, when tension rises, deadlines press, or feedback stings, how do you respond? 

For most leaders, resilience is about the ability to move through emotional intensity with awareness and agility, so you can respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. All while maintaining a calming and inspiring demeanor in front of your team. Lumina Learning’s EQ tool Lumina Emotion helps develop that important skill. 

Read More »