“Don't surrender all your joy for an idea you used to have about yourself that isn't true anymore.”
- Cheryl Strayed

These words really resonate with me. I'm all about reinventions and personal stories.

Friendliness, positivity, taste for big talks and trying new things are in my DNA.

My way to show up in the world is love, gratitude and passion. I believe that no matter how different we are, at the end of the day we're all in this together and we can always bring some light to each other.

I was born and grew up in Samara, Russia and got lucky to have Huck Finn-y kind of childhood on the bank of Volga river with camping, kayaking, swimming and wandering the wild places.

Two things I love the most are words and the outdoors. I'm obsessed with books, especially American literature, which I studied in college. In 2008 I moved to Saint-Petersburg to study literature and philosophy. I got my bachelor degree and was quite sure that I wanted to pursue academic career, but on my way to it I realised that the path I'd chosen made me dead inside. It was unexpected and painful turn in my life, which now I'm super grateful for.

After overcoming clinical depression I found out that my real power lies not in other people expectations, but within myself. That's how I discovered the power of connection in this day and age!

Last year I launched a blog daretomisfit.com. Today I share my experience and insights with like-minded people. My mission is to show them how to lead more joyful life, knowing that success is not something you need to fit in, that it can present itself in all shapes and colours.

My style of travelling is rather spontaneous, but never hurried. I like to experience local life, go to farm markets, cook at home, walk around. I like to wake up early and start my day with yoga and green smoothie. I'm into healthy lifestyle, but not in radical way, I love coffee too much))

Some days I'd like to spend really calm, other I want to be on the go, dance and laugh, and talk, and celebrate life in all possible ways. Museums, parks, gigs, universities and book stores, big cities' magic always blows me away.

As a guest, I would me happy to hang with you BUT I am totally self-sufficient and can spend time on my own without any discomfort.

https://www.facebook.com/stephania.chikanova
https://www.instagram.com/nunc_stans_/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on CS, because I'm genuinely interested in people, their life stories, wisdom and various paths of life.

For the good part of my life I was rather skeptical about the idea. How could people let me into their home and their lives, when I am nothing but a stranger, who doesn't even pay?!

But with years I came to realise that when I surf doesn't make me a consumer. I'm a giver, and I can show up as a giver. Wherever I am, I can be of help, of service, of joy. Human ability to show up for others in so many ways is the most beautiful thing in the world.

I am madly in love with Saint-Petersbug, so it would be my pleasure to show you around, because it's magic beyond the words! For now I don't have an opportunity to host myself, but hope one day this will change.

Interests

• wildlife
• writing
• books
• literature
• poetry
• vegan
• yoga
• meditation
• podcasts
• outdoor activities
• hitchhiking
• spirituality
• mindfulness
• people watching
• healthy living
• self-development
• american literature
• authenticity
• wild camping
• people's stories
• ted talks
• talking to people
• women empowerment
• russian literature

Music, Movies, and Books

MY ROLE MODELS: Walt Whitman, Henry Miller, Cheryl Strayed, Dr. Maya Angelou, Marie Forleo, Oprah, Dmitriy Bykov, Jeff Foster, Gary Snyder, Brene Brown, JK Rowling, Ingrid Nilsen, Carol Dweck

FAVORITE WRITERS: Sherwood Anderson, Walt Whitman, Thomas Wolfe, Henry Miller, Cheryl Strayed, John Williams ("Stoner"), Flann O'Brien, Virginia Woolf, W.H. Auden, Joseph Brodsky, Friedrich Nietzsche, Dmitriy Bykov, Stephen King, Jack Kerouac, Gary Snyder, Haruki Murakami, J.D. Salinger

FILMS: Into the Wild (2007); That Most Important Thing: Love (1975); Lecture 21 (2008); Kon-Tiki (2012), Wild (2014)

Potterhead. Love Potterless podcast hosted by Mike Schubert.
Big fan of Dear Sugars podcast, TED-talks and so much more.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Went 7-days solo hiking on an island on Volga river.

Quit social media for 8 years and then came back!

Made a decision to love the heck out of life.

Teach, Learn, Share

Some things I know about:

- overcoming depression and dealing with crisis
- personal boundaries and kind clear communication
- green smoothies
- writing

What I Can Share with Hosts

When it comes to contribution, I would love to bring all of myself to the table.

If you need a hand in decluttering, cooking, babysitting, etc, it will be my pleasure to help.
If you are looking for company for a morning exercise, yoga, workout, or other activity I'm all in.
I'm a good listener, I'm open to deep meaningful conversations about struggles we face as human beings.
And I can make fine blueberry pancakes as well)

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Greece, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, Russian Federation