Jane Kuhuk left Ukraine during the second week of the war.courtesy of Kuhuk
- Jane Kuhuk is a 30-year-old Ukrainian woman who moved to Greece to escape the war at home.
- She wanted to focus on her health and goals and create a safe place for her parents if needed.
This story is part of a series called "Millennial World," which seeks to examine the state of the generation around the globe.
Jane Kuhuk never gave too much thought to her future.
But when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, she decided to leave Kyiv, where she'd lived since college, to protect herself and focus on her career.
"There was so much uncertainty. No one understood what was going on," she told Insider.
The 30-year-old marketing executive who works from home said she felt lost, scared, and confused.
"I wanted to move abroad to create a safe space, like a fortress, in case my family needs to leave Ukraine, too," she said, adding that while she was somewhat scared to make the move, she knew it was the right decision to be able to support herself and her parents if they needed to join her. "I wanted them to be able to rely on me," she said.
What's more, with internet and power outages across Ukraine, Kuhuk needed an environment where she could continue working her remote job as a marketer.
Kuhuk is now in Thessaloniki, Greece, the second-largest city in the country. She lives alone in what she describes as a cozy one-bedroom apartment with a view of Mount Olympus from her balcony. She finally feels safe. The serene neighborhood has allowed her to reflect, for the first time, on what she wants for her future.
"It has been a transitional year for me. I finally got time to think about what I want, about what I feel," Kuhuk said. "And for that, I'm really grateful."
She isn't sure what she hopes for in her future, she said. But she's finally taking time to analyze her goals, which include being healthy and productive, as well as working a job she enjoys.
To achieve these short-term aspirations, she's adamant about following a healthy diet and a daily routine.
Here's a day in her new life, in which she focuses on her health and future.