Aleksandra Strugalska

I was born on December 1, 1989, in Łódź. Four years later, my brother was born. I spent part of my early childhood with my grandparents in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, in a small village called Mosty, where my mother comes from.

In Łódź, we lived in Marysin, near Julianowski Park, so I attended Primary School No. 172 named after Stefan Banach, which I graduated from with honors and a 5.7 average. When I wasn’t doing homework, I went to dance or painting classes. My mother always cared not only about my high level of education but also about my exposure to the arts. She often took me and my brother to the theater, concerts, and other artistic events. Every evening, she read us fairy tales, stories, and books. With my father, I went to the cinema to watch Disney cartoons. He bought me their pirated versions at the Bałucki Market from Russian salesman’s – only in English, because “from Russian” you could get cartoons only in the original language. Thanks to my parents, Disney, and books, I learned from an early age to dream and believe that dreams come true. Because of this, I survived many hardships – and didn’t go crazy – because I always believed that things would get better one day.

Although I come from a poor family, my parents decided to send me to a private Bernardine Fathers’ Middle School, where I attended a French-language class. The level was very high, so I barely graduated with an average of 4.7. I chose my high school on my own – I wanted to continue in the 4th High School with a French-speaking class but didn’t get in, and by chance ended up in the 28th High School, which resembled more a correctional facility than a school. The level was so low that I basically learned nothing there, yet I had a scholarship, distinctions, and people called me “the best student” because I relied mainly on the knowledge I brought from middle school.

For university, I chose the University of Łódź – Faculty of Law and Administration, majoring in administration. I didn’t get into law because I did poorly on the history matura exam – instead of studying 19th-century Polish-Hungarian relations, I preferred to dance with the “Czarne Stopy” group, party, and spend time with my then-boyfriend, now husband. Later, I had the option to change the major, but I already had other plans for life. From my first year at university, I no longer lived at home – I supported myself and wasn’t interested in long studies or legal internships. Besides, I had neither the financial means nor the time. During that time, my parents went bankrupt and closed their business, and I struggled with my own personal issues. Before finishing university, amidst all this emotional and family chaos, I quit my job and got married. The wedding was wild, lasting three days, and right after it, we left on our honeymoon.

During my studies, I worked as a waitress at the Bedroom club on Fridays and Saturdays and gave English tutoring. For some time, I also worked at the Ryłko store in Manufaktura shopping mall and later at the Siódemka courier company. At the peak, I studied full-time, worked full-time at Ryłko or Siódemka, worked weekends as a waitress, tutored English, planned the wedding, and attended dance classes – because that was the only thing I did for pleasure, just for myself.

After returning from the honeymoon, I cut my hair, defended my thesis, and started my first job after graduation. I quickly got promoted but changed jobs roughly once a year – whenever I got bored or felt I couldn’t grow further. I always wanted more, faster, and stronger than others. I was used to working under pressure, with constant stress and a heavy workload.

As a result of various unexpected events, I started my own business, which I run to this day. I went through severe burnout and several years of therapy. I took part in many projects, worked socially, and held managerial and operational contracts. Today, I fulfill myself not only as a managing partner in my company but also as a writer, developing my brand Alex The Dreamer.

Looking back at my life, I see a mix of extremes, contrasts, and paradoxes. Full of chaos and adventures, passion, wild love, breakups, and grief, huge money and great losses. So much has already happened – and so much lies ahead. Even if I died today, I would know that I lived intensely, truly, with pain and joy, successes and failures. I lived a life like a movie. Extraordinary. Unique.