Time moves differently in the shadow of war. For these young people, the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 created a stark dividing line in their lives—a “before” and an “after.” Through their honest reflections, we witness the acceleration of growing up when childhood intersects with historical upheaval. Some narratives reveal newfound resilience and purpose; others document the quiet grief of interrupted dreams and lost normalcy.
Taisia Kharchuk:
Three years ago, I was a student at NaUKMA, living in Kyiv, dreaming about my future, and making plans. But when the full-scale war began, everything changed. I returned to my hometown, where I had to rethink many aspects of my life. I realized that nothing is more important than family and health—both mine and my loved ones’. Before, I used to worry about things that now seem insignificant. Now, I understand that material possessions and career achievements mean little if you don’t have the people you love by your side.
Stress has become a constant companion, but I’ve learned not to let it consume me. Instead of resisting it, I try to adapt and find ways to manage it. Life continues, even in the darkest times, and I now see the importance of appreciating small moments of happiness. Whether it’s a quiet evening with family or simply a peaceful walk, I’ve learned to cherish these things more than ever.
Bogdana Fediuk:
Three years ago, I graduated with a degree in business management, thinking my future was clear. I imagined working in a big company and building a stable career. But in 2022, my life changed completely. The full-scale war in Ukraine began. I was in Kyiv when everything changed overnight—sirens, fear, and uncertainty became part of daily life. Because of this, it was very difficult to find a job. Despite this, I started studying English. I was so interested in it and it became my goal – to study English in depth and become a philologist. I entered Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to study English and Ukrainian philology, following my passion for languages.
At first, it was challenging to focus on studying. I lost many old school friends as we all took different paths, but I found new ones at university—people who shared my love for words and culture. The war made me rethink what is truly important. I began to appreciate everything I have more. I also realized that happiness is not in working in a prestigious company or in a high salary, happiness is not in whether you bought a new dress today or went to a bar with your friends. Happiness is that your loved ones are healthy and close to you, that you have a home to which you can return and that you have your hometown, where you can walk and remember pleasant moments from your childhood.
Maryna Andrushko:
Three years ago, I faced great uncertainty and the unknown, fear for the future. Three years ago, the war began, you don’t know what will happen in 5 minutes: constant air raids, shelling, terrible news, which continues today. However, in April 2022, while studying in the 11th grade, the doors to the future, choosing a profession, university “opened” before me. I can’t say that I am nostalgic for that time because the full-scale war turned our lives upside down – in a negative way.
Now I am a Junior at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. I live in Kyiv, learning to be independent, responsible, more self-confident. Of course, with the move, life changed again by 360 degrees. New surroundings, people, thoughts, habits, worldview, goals and dreams, plans. Now I feel much better, but one thing remains unchanged – war. The invasion reminds us of war every day: shelling, news about the front line, my hometown that is constantly under shelling. Now we are in a constant state of stress and anxiety. Of course, now I am in my youth, and this is my time to change and transform. Now I have everything: family, clothes, a roof over my head, food, but I do not forget who I am thanks to – the Ukrainian military.
Kristina Kaliafitska:
The last three years have been a trial for me, one that has changed everything—from my perception of the world to my plans for the future. The death of my father in the war tore apart the usual course of life, leaving a pain that cannot be silenced. It made me reassess many things: what is truly important and what is merely an illusion. The people in my life have changed too. Some have drifted away, betraying me, while others, on the contrary, appeared during the toughest times and made me realize that I can rely on them. I have learned to appreciate genuine support and not waste energy on those who are indifferent.
Studying has also become something more for me than just acquiring an education. I used to see it as a mandatory stage, but now I view it as an opportunity to understand the world more deeply, to find myself, and to realize what truly matters.
I am no longer afraid of change. The realization of how quickly reality can change has taught me to live in the here and now, to seize every opportunity, and not to shy away from challenges. For me, the future is no longer just about plans; it is a continuous journey where the important things are the people, the moments, and the values that remain unchanged despite all the trials.
Diana Kohut:
Over the past three years, my life has changed significantly. I’ve grown in understanding, not just in knowledge but in how I perceive the world. I’ve learned to appreciate simplicity, finding joy in moments rather than chasing endless goals. My values have shifted—I now cherish relationships, time, and personal well-being more than external achievements. Challenges have taught me resilience, and I’ve come to see change as an opportunity rather than a threat. Ultimately, these years have reshaped my priorities, making me more mindful, grateful, and present in everyday life.
The war has changed me profoundly. It forced me to reevaluate what truly matters—peace, security, and the people I love. Before, I took stability for granted, but now I understand how fragile life is. I’ve become more empathetic, feeling the pain of others as if it were my own. Fear and uncertainty have shaped my perspective, making me stronger yet more cautious. I no longer see the world in simple terms; everything is complex, filled with shades of loss, hope, and resilience. Above all, I’ve learned to value every moment, every conversation, and every peaceful day.
Bogdan Hatsenko:
My life, perception of the world and values have changed a lot in the last 3 years. I began to evaluate people differently. If before I believed that a person is good until proven otherwise, now I choose a more moderate approach and perceive people as something neutral and after looking at their actions and what they are, I form my attitude towards them. My everyday life has also changed quite a lot, but this is a normal process for my age. Values are a complex and important topic and it is impossible to convey them in a short set of words, but I can say that they have become more formed.
Anna Teslenko:
Over the last three years of war, my personality and my perception of the world have changed. if earlier, I refused to do many things because of anxiety and fear, now I take it and do it. For example, if earlier, I could not imagine going to a concert alone because of fear of crowds or uncertainty, now I forget about everything and go. because no one knows what will happen to me or the band members, and whether there will be such an opportunity again. I also began to appreciate the importance of time and stopped wasting it on unimportant things or something that causes negative emotions, it is better to spend it with family or friends. Although, the circle of friends has changed, because some people do not understand the importance of culture and continue to communicate in russian or consume russian content, or someone went abroad and lost touch with the reality in which I live. and it is important to respect your values.
Oleksandra Sulim:
Over the past three years, my life has changed drastically. I have faced challenges that reshaped my perspective and made me appreciate the true value of family and close relationships. I used to take many things for granted, but now I cherish every moment with my loved ones. Difficult times taught me that material success means little compared to the support and warmth of family. I have become more grateful, patient, and understanding. Life is unpredictable, but what truly matters is the love and care we share with those who are always there for us.
Anastasia Voitsekovska:
Over the past three years, my life has changed completely. I used to live in my hometown, go to school, have my usual circle of friends, and never imagined that one day I would have to leave it all behind. Because of the war, I was forced to move to another city, and from that moment on, my past life remained only in my memories. In these three years, I have not returned home even once—I haven’t seen the familiar streets, the places that were dear to my heart, or the school where I spent so many years. The most painful part was that I never had a graduation ceremony—a moment that was supposed to symbolize the end of childhood and the transition into adulthood. Due to the distance, I lost touch with most of my friends. At first, we tried to keep in contact, but over time, our conversations became less frequent, and we had fewer common topics to discuss. Life took us in different directions, and it was inevitable. However, old connections were replaced by new ones. At university, I found friends who share my views, support me, and make my world brighter.
Despite all the difficulties, these years have taught me a lot. I have realized that change is always hard, but sometimes it opens up new opportunities. The war took away my home, my school years, and my carefree youth, but at the same time, it made me stronger, taught me to appreciate the people around me, and not to be afraid of starting over. Life goes on, and I try to keep building it, finding joy even in difficult circumstances.
Olga Zadorozhna:
If I were asked to describe the changes over the three years of the full-scale invasion in one word, it would be only one word – growing up. On February 24, you were still a child who was supposed to finish the 11th grade, celebrate graduation, take exams and enjoy the upcoming years of student life. However, the war made you rethink many things. Especially your views on responsibility for your future, gratitude for today, happiness, and the concepts of life and death have changed. In other words, all this chaos added more existential questions that we should have come to when we were older or during our adult years. But our generation had no choice but to adapt quickly to critical and sometimes destructive changes, to keep our minds cool, to think rationally, to be strategists, but at the same time to believe in a good future, to not give up and to support our loved ones. From my own life, I can say that in these 3 years I have faced many problems, life crises, and internal experiences and realized that there is nothing that cannot be survived. Everything is our experience, for which we should also be grateful. The only thing stable in our lives is the changes we accept or not, which is the true law of our present life. As well as the words that everything that is beyond our control should be removed from our area of responsibility. So with these rules of life and the experience gained, it is easier to adapt to the rapid flow of events these days. This is our common strength.
