17 questions for... Anna Zielińska, Co-owner & CEO stor9_, EO'er

Work life balance for me is... I think so, what is work life balance anyway? The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to work-life balance. In my case, as a businesswoman, it is rather impossible to separate 8 hours of work from the rest of the day off. You have to be able to navigate it smoothly. I like to mix work and private life, but on a healthy basis - this skill came to me over time. Letting go of the so-called “napinki” is the key to success. Follow your dreams.

My three most important daily health habits are… sport, food, sleep.

The sports I practice regularly are... pilates, tennis and I walk a lot with my dog.

I spend about 7 hours a week on physical activity .

My motivation for sports… I simply love sports and I don't need to motivate myself to do it. I approach it with great flexibility - if I feel tired, I simply give up training and I know that the world won't collapse because of it. You don't always have to be Miss Perfect. And it's worth keeping a distance from it.

I don't meditate... I haven't touched this area yet, but many friends recommend me to start this adventure :) I even received links to dedicated applications. I think I'm slowly getting used to it. However, I wonder how it will affect me. I used to think that I wouldn't be able to meditate - I thought it was totally boring and not for me, but both times and we ourselves are changing, so if I try, I will definitely share my experience.

My diet is based on... eating healthily and sensibly. Usually these are 3 or 4 meals a day. I care about good quality products, I read labels, and I basically don't eat meat. First of all, I listen to my body and what I need at a given time. I drink a lot of water and practically don't eat sweets, but that doesn't mean I deny myself them when I feel like it. Overall, he maintains a healthy balance in this area.

I end the day with... lately it's been a bath with salt and essential oils. I try to avoid the smartphone. I read books, but of course it is extremely difficult for me, with so much work and commitments, and the world around us is rushing. At the same time, I train the ability to focus on one simple activity - something like "being in the moment".

I devote myself to sleep... I try to pay attention, sleep 7/8 hours and get up without an alarm clock. Of course, it's not always perfect and sometimes I sleep less than 5 hours, but then I feel the difference and my body rebels. That's why I make sure I'm full of strength for the next day - I really like being well rested, but who doesn't, right? (laughter)

The thing I like to do just for myself is... long journeys - recently my beloved Caribbean and New York. I like quality time to get in touch with myself, and traveling teaches us and we get to know ourselves from a completely different perspective. In addition, all kinds of massages and rituals.

My little sins are... bread and butter and champagne (not necessarily in a duo), although it is probably the bigger sin.

For me, happiness is... the health of your loved ones - you can basically manage the rest yourself. Additionally, the ability to appreciate the present day and the joy of normal, everyday life. Recently I read an interesting interview with psychologist Joanna Heidtman, who says : "Every idealization of our life will sooner or later crash into reality - there are no absolutes. The more we inflate this bubble of happiness, the more it will hurt when it bursts. The path to peace, fulfillment and happiness leads to accepting that we are both "beauty" and "beast" at the same time.

Luxury for me is... freedom, health, long journeys, a job that I really like and find fulfillment in, and the ability to manage my time mostly as I planned. I've been working for this for a long time.

My small daily steps in taking care of the planet are... I don't eat too much meat, I choose walking instead of driving and I make conscious purchasing decisions.

The advice I would give myself if I were 20 again is... put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then put it on everyone around you. That means - take care of YOURSELF - your health, good psychophysical condition and good relationship with yourself. Don't always be there for others and sometimes be selfish for yourself. Make sure your world doesn't collapse if something goes wrong in your life.