I recently had a chance to speak at a webinar organized by the Beyond Beauty Club. It was a truly remarkable conversation that highlighted the significance of sharing our personal stories. The audience consisted of remarkable women. The purpose of the talk was to delve into our life experiences, creative journeys, and the valuable lessons we learned while chasing our dreams.
Naturally, we started at the beginning: growing up in Hungary during the second half of Soviet repression. I shared my upbringing and origin story of witnessing my dad rebel against cultural oppression the only way he knew how: by smuggling in Hollywood movies. He never sold any of them, but spent many days translating them from English to Hungarian, then using his voice (and two VHS recorders, complete with a pair of headphones and a microphone), he dubbed these movies. His passion for stories that encapsulated hope and imagination became a vital part of my life. We had secret movie nights every Saturday and Sunday. I would not be the person I am today without having had this magical experience.
Even as a child, I understood something important: freedom of thought and artistic expression wasn’t always guaranteed. As an author, I believe now more than ever that they’re worth protecting.
We discussed my writing journey, which began with a dream—literally. In 2012, I awoke with the inspiration for a story that persistently occupied my thoughts. But there was one small problem…
I didn’t speak English.
Technically, I had studied the English language for twelve years in school, but it was passive knowledge. I could read a bit, but speaking and writing fluently were another story. It felt impossible to become an author. I spent ten years learning English and becoming fluent. I spent another seven years writing my first book, which, ironically enough, also originated from a dream.
Looking back, I still remember how discouraging and challenging those years were. It wasn’t a timeline that I picked. It was organic. What kept me going was the open and growth mindset. That’s because growth requires patience, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace discomfort. This leads us to one of the most important lessons we discussed.
Kindness toward yourself is non-negotiable.
When you are pushing yourself to grow—whether in writing, business, or life—you will face obstacles. If you combine relentless drive with self-criticism, burnout becomes almost inevitable. But when you balance ambition with compassion toward yourself, something intriguing happens.
You grow faster.
Why?
Because you’re no longer fighting yourself while trying to move forward.
We also explored a question many people struggle with: How do you know if you’re growing or simply failing?
The answer might surprise you.
Growth often feels uncomfortable. Awkward. Messy. Sometimes even humbling. Most people interpret those feelings as signs they’re doing something wrong and quit too soon. In reality, discomfort is often evidence that you’re stretching beyond your current limits.
Another topic that came up was the myth of the perfect moment.
People often wait for ideal conditions before starting something meaningful. The truth is, there is no perfect moment. Motivation doesn’t usually appear first. More often, motivation comes from movement. You start, you stumble a little, and then momentum begins to build.
So the best thing you can do?
Jump in.
Finally, we talked about something I believe is essential: knowing who you are.
Many people chase dreams that don’t actually belong to them, often influenced by societal expectations or the aspirations of others rather than their own true desires. Understanding your values—your “why”—is what gives your work meaning. And identity itself isn’t static. It evolves as we grow.
We concluded the webinar with a question that deeply resonated with me: What made writing The Last Lumenian Saga more than just a dream?
Because at some point, it stopped being only about me.
Writing my books became a responsibility. They became a means of connecting with readers, of offering a glimmer of hope, and of encouraging them to follow their passions.
And if a girl from Hungary who once couldn’t speak English can become an author…
Well, imagine what’s possible for you.
Journey on Growth, Creativity, and Chasing Your Dreams
