We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dasha Zhykharska. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dasha below.
Dasha, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
A lot of people in my life taught me that being pessimistic will save me my nerves because I would never be able to be disappointed. For a long time, I was building the model of my world the way I was taught, therefore events in my life were upsetting. It felt like nothing was going right. And when good events happened I would never allow myself to be happy for a long time, because everything in your life is “temporary”. It got to a point when I thought that there was no purpose in living, my existence did not make any sense or had no value. For a long time, this existential period was poisoning me and the world around me. So I asked myself a question: “Was I born to be unhappy?”. I could not believe that it was true, therefore I decided to explore mindfulness, spirituality, and meditation. I decided that if I changed the perspective, my life and my world would change accordingly. And that is exactly what happened. Everything is temporary? Yes! It’s temporary, any tough period has its end! My life is meaningless? Yes, be free and do what you feel and want! I started being grateful for every little bit, and my world started bringing me more happiness. Only because someone is trying to project their world on you, doesn’t mean that it fits with yours.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a professional Ukrainian actress with more than 5 years of film and theater experience. Acting is a source of freedom and truth, and I am the conductor of it for people. I believe that the opportunities that this profession gives are endless in a matter of sharing personal beliefs and feelings. Not only do I present the Ukrainian acting community, but also draw public attention to the war against my homeland. Music is another form of infinite art that creates its own unique experience. Vibrations are essential for all people, and I am trying to speak through them to particles of souls that build energies around them.
Being a producer means to me being responsible for the message that you are projecting into the world. Producing is a tool of mine that helps direct people to the creation of something worthwhile.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
To observe, to be present, to love. Reader, observe to study human nature, see the beauty and the ugliness, learn patterns, and develop communication and empathy. Expand your understanding of this world. Observing helped me a lot while preparing for the role in the feature film “FOREVER-FOREVER” by Anna Buryachkova. I was playing a bullied girl in high school, however, like any other character she had so much more to offer than just telling a story about teenage cruelty.
Being present means facing your fears as well, but it’s crucial to succeed and grow. No play can go well for me if I’m not present. This concept is vague enough, however, for me it is a feeling of a connection between internal and external. Presence is a fundament for existence.
Love is the only common thing between all people. We need it, lack it, hate it, have it. Love is necessary in creation. Acting from love and not for love gives much more to the world and oneself than any other “technique”.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Ego is my biggest enemy. In everything I do, I hear echoes of ego, that was developing my whole life and is based on my fears. Ego can be helpful, but in my case, it was stopping me from collaborating and exploring. Past 12 months I have been focusing on challenging my ego, and I do see the results in my work. I have a big podcast project “In Our Shoes” where I talk a lot about self-awareness, allowing yourself to be wrong, and the industry. The project mirrors my experience and growth (or stagnation). I just started my journey, but as they say “Willingness is already the first step”.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/da.zhykharska?igsh=dmZpMzJybWxsd3kz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasha-zhykharska-0700b1243?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@InOurShoesTPCatNYFA?feature=shared
- Other: “In Our Shoes” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyfapodcastclub_?igsh=MWFxN2w0dnVoY3pzeg==
IMDB: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm13849093?ref_=m_acc_yourpage
Image Credits
Alexis Montesinos
