I FOUND A NEW VOICE — AND IT SPEAKS FOR OTHER WOMEN
Success story: Viktoria Perepelykina, graduate of the Steel Self-Esteem course
"I realized that true strength lies not in the loudness of your voice, but in your unwavering inner resolve. When you know what you want, the world hears you even in silence,“ says Viktoria Perepelykina, head of the Economic Analysis and Development Department of the Economic Development and Investment Management Division of the Zmiiv City Council and chair of the public organization ”I.D.E.Y.A." (registered on March 12, 2025).
Are you familiar with the feeling of constantly being caught up in a whirlwind of affairs, carrying an excessive burden of responsibility, and having fatigue and depression become your constant companions? If so, the story of our graduate, who combines responsible work in the civil service with active community involvement, will give you hope and inspiration!
Victoria came to study at the Online Academy for Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders in a very difficult state. She was deeply depressed and constantly exhausted. The reason was simple but devastating: she had taken on too many responsibilities, both at work and in her personal life. She continued to carry out tasks that she should have decisively refused or at least delegated, guided by her inner conviction: “I must, I must, I must.”Added to this was the widespread “impostor syndrome” – the fear of admitting that she did not know or could not do something. All these factors created a vicious circle of exhaustion and a feeling of hopelessness. She needed not just support, but a clear understanding of how to change this situation, how to stop and cease being “guilty to everyone.”
TURNING POINT: THE “STEEL SELF-ESTEEM” COURSE
When Victoria saw information about this course, an inner voice whispered, “Why not?” She decided to give it a try, feeling that this was where she would find the tools to help her finally break the chain of endless ‘shoulds’ and learn to say that cherished, sometimes difficult “NO.”
A COURSE THAT HELPED CHANGE NOT ONLY HER ATTITUDE TOWARDS HERSELF, BUT ALSO HER LIFE
“It's not enough for me! I just got started, and now it's already over. How did it go by so fast?” Victoria admits about her feelings after completing the course.
During the “Steel Self-Esteem” course, Victoria mastered key skills:
Effectively setting personal boundaries
She learned to easily say “NO” to what doesn't suit her and “YES” to her dreams and aspirations, both in her professional and personal life.
Overcoming “impostor syndrome”
Her fear of admitting her own incompetence or ignorance disappeared, which gave her tremendous inner freedom and the opportunity to be honest with herself and others.
The art of delegating responsibilities
She mastered the skill of effectively distributing tasks that she had previously taken on herself.
Restoring life balance She learned to listen to herself and put her own needs first, ceasing to feel “guilty to everyone.”
Formation of self-esteem
She gained inner confidence and steadfastness, which allowed her to be guided by her own decisions rather than the expectations of others.
RESULTS:
She overcame deep depression and exhausting fatigue, gaining freedom from excessive “obligations.”
Her life is no longer determined by the expectations of others, but by her own conscious decisions.
She has achieved significant and lasting personal progress, which continues to open new horizons for her civil service and public activities.
“Certain changes have been achieved in my life, and I continue to move forward,” says Victoria.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Victoria seeks to scale up her activities, using her newly gained confidence to work even more effectively in the field of public administration and civil society development through her organization “I.D.E.A.” She plans to continue inspiring other women with her example, demonstrating how important it is to listen to yourself and move confidently toward your goals.
“Now I am not just a civil servant or a public figure — I am a voice that speaks about the importance of inner strength, self-protection, and dignity. And I have the knowledge to be heard,” says Victoria.Victoria Perepelkina's story is an inspiring example of how professionalism, resilience, and a desire for growth can help overcome life's challenges and find a new calling, even when combining different social roles. She demonstrates how the “STEEL SELF-ESTEEM” course helps to find inner strength, set healthy boundaries, overcome burnout, and confidently move toward a life where you truly value yourself and your worth.
The “Steel Self-Esteem” course is part of the “Online Academy for Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders” project, implemented by the NGO Age of Opportunities with technical support from UN Women Ukraine and funding from the Women's Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). WPHF is a flexible and fast funding tool that supports high-quality activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of local women to prevent conflicts, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.
This publication has been produced with the financial support of the United Nations Women's Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), but this does not imply that the views and content expressed herein are officially endorsed or recognized by the United Nations.
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