OLIYNYKOVA: “I learned to enjoy simple things”

– Having taken the first semi-weekend day in a very long time, I realized that I am most comfortable at work. It may sound strange, but it has become difficult to relax, completely “switching off” from things. Now my activity is connected with frequent trips to different countries, and being far from home, I increasingly catch myself feeling unreality – as if there is some beautiful, “Instagram” illusion around me. She is attractive, but at the same time dangerous and somewhat infantile, and this feeling repels me more and more.

At work, everything is different: there are clear goals and tasks, I understand exactly what needs to be done, and this fascinates me. Now I approach sports calmly and systematically – with healthy professionalism. My volunteer initiatives and a goal that is important to me off the court form a single, complete “chain”.

I learned to enjoy the simple things that have real, everyday relaxation: morning coffee, good food, a few pages of a book before bed. This is enough for me to recover.

I’m not a big believer in the concept of “burnout” – although I don’t consider myself an expert on the subject. For me, everything is simple: you either do it or you don’t.

Therefore, now my complete immersion in work is not about “achievement” (this, by the way, has never been about me; I am not a person fixated on success or hyper-productivity), but about calmness, harmony with my own ideals and consistent movement in the direction of what I believe.