An Inspired Chat with Everay – Ewelina Borkowska of Devon, UK

We recently had the chance to connect with Everay – Ewelina Borkowska and have shared our conversation below.

Everay – Ewelina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think people secretly struggle with self-doubt and loneliness. Many of us are scared to share our vulnerabilities, so we keep them hidden, thinking we’re alone in what we feel. But the truth is, so many people are going through similar things—we just don’t talk about it enough.

Self-doubt is something I’ve personally struggled with for a long time. It’s what inspired me to create my debut album, Set In Stone. The album tells my story of learning self-love and self-belief, of facing my fears, stepping out of my comfort zone, and accepting myself as imperfect but still worthy. It’s a reflection of my journey toward being at peace with who I am.

I believe that many others struggle with feeling like they’re not enough, constantly comparing themselves to others, especially with the influence of social media. It can make people forget that what we see online is rarely the full picture. We’re all just trying to find our way—and I think we’d feel a lot less alone if we shared those struggles more openly.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Polish singer-songwriter based in the UK. My music blends pop and rock influences, and I write from a place of honesty and emotion. I released my debut album, Set In Stone, an 11-track project exploring self-belief, self-love, and overcoming personal struggles. The album marked the beginning of my journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment.

Right now, I’m working on my second album, Phoenix, which explores self-love within relationships and the strength it takes to rebuild after pain. As a survivor of narcissistic abuse, I stand strongly against all forms of abuse, and this album is dedicated to all survivors — a message that healing, growth, and rebirth are always possible.

Over time, my music has found listeners in different parts of the world, with several tracks receiving international radio and chart recognition along the way — something I’m truly grateful for.

I’ve been honored to receive several awards, including Songwriter of the Year (Silver) at the 2022 ISSA Awards, Personality of the Year in Poland, and Vocalist of the Year 2024. But beyond the recognition, my true aim is to write songs that uplift and empower — music that reminds people they’re not alone in their struggles, and that even in the darkest moments, there’s always light to be found.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
There have been so many incredible people who saw me clearly before I could truly see myself. My sister, Iza, was the first — she encouraged me to follow my dreams when I was just a teenager. That simple support planted a seed that grew into everything I’m doing now.

My partner, Jack, has been my rock throughout this journey. He lifts me up whenever self-doubt creeps in and has never stopped believing in me. My friend Dave always reminds me, “It takes 15 years to be an overnight success.” His positivity keeps me grounded and inspires me to trust the process.

I’m grateful to Tony Olson, a talented singer-songwriter who helped create the Nashville version of my song Voices with top-class musicians — that experience showed me I could sound like a professional artist. I also owe so much to my amazing vocal coaches, Joanna Walling and Alicja Szeligowska, who encouraged me and reminded me that I could do it — I just needed to let myself try. I’ll forever be thankful to my producer, Barney Dine, whose guidance from our very first recording session gave me the space to grow, experiment, and truly find my sound.

Finally, to my fans and patrons — your messages, comments, and words of encouragement mean the world to me. I might not be able to mention everyone by name, but I remember and appreciate every single act of belief and kindness. You’ve all helped me see the artist I was meant to become.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I didn’t even realize at the time that I was experiencing emotional abuse. Looking back, I couldn’t believe someone could treat another human being that way. After it happened, I went through guilt and self-doubt — questioning if I was enough, especially after being cheated on, and comparing myself to another woman.

The turning point came when I decided to reclaim my story and my strength. I began learning about narcissism, reflecting on what drew me to my ex, and slowly letting myself heal. Writing my second album, Phoenix, became a way to transform that pain into power. Most of the songs were written after I faced the betrayal and began processing my feelings, and the more I healed, the more I felt ready to speak openly about it.

Songs like Warrior, Crown, Sweet Lies, and my latest single, Burning My Bridges, reflect this journey. Burning My Bridges is about walking away from what no longer serves you, cutting out toxic people, showing others how to treat you, and embracing self-love. Each song is a piece of that process — a reminder that even after betrayal and pain, we can reclaim our strength and confidence. Through my music, I’ve realized that what once held me back can now inspire and empower — not just me, but anyone going through something similar. Healing isn’t just about surviving; it’s about reclaiming your power, standing tall, and thriving.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
That’s a tricky question! I actually asked my closest friends, my family, and even some of my fans to help me answer — and their responses were so beautiful. They told me that what matters most to me is music, family, my dog, sharing my songs, and success — not just career success, but living a life that feels true to who I am.

For me, it really comes down to being authentic, following my heart, and connecting with people. Music is how I express all of that. Using my voice to inspire, empower, and uplift others is at the core of what I do. I feel incredibly grateful that I get to do what I love every day, and I hope that people can feel that same passion and care when they listen to my songs.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will say that I was someone who turned pain into purpose — that I used my voice and my music to help others find strength when they felt weak, and light when everything around them seemed dark. I want to be remembered as someone who stood for self-belief, resilience, and kindness.

I hope they’ll remember that I never gave up — that no matter how hard it was, I kept trying, and that I truly embraced every moment of this life, however fleeting. If my songs and my story can remind people that they’re not alone, that healing is possible, and that they have the power to rise no matter what they’ve endured, then I’ll feel like I fulfilled the purpose I was meant for.

More than anything, I hope people remember that I loved deeply, cared fiercely, and never stopped trying to help others see their own worth. My name, Everay, carries that intention too — ‘Ever’ is a reminder of time, the most precious and fleeting gift we have, and ‘Ray’ represents a ray of light, the kind of warmth and hope I hope to share with others through my music and my life. In a way, it’s a promise: to make the most of every moment and to shine for those who need it.

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Image Credits
Dave Johnson, Jonathan Fox

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