Rich Conversations: 006. Polina Zasheva

Show notes from episode 006 of Rich Conversations with Polina Zasheva. Answers are cut down to fit into writing format.

How long have you lived in Chicago?

I moved to Schiller Park when I was in high school from Bulgaria. Then I went to college at DePaul and have been in the city ever since. Over a decade altogether.

How would you describe your neighborhood?

Lincoln Park East next to Lakeview. In the summer it feels like vacation. It’s by the lake and there are a number of parks. It’s close to downtown and options to get there. The only thing I don’t like is the homogeneity. It’s a very developed area and keeps growing that way. There aren’t a lot of unique and diverse restaurants, coffee shops, and shops. It’s more mainstream. Mom and pop shops aren’t here as much.

If you have an open Saturday, how would you choose to spend it?

In the summer I love going to the beach. A lot of my friends are still in the city and we’ll do things together. I ran the Chicago Marathon three times, so the lake path has been a big part of my life. In the winter I chose to participate in more indoor things. I recently finished a program at Northwestern, so that took a lot of my time studying. There’s a lot of opportunities for young professionals to learn new skills like coding and keep fresh. Technology is always changing, so you need to keep up. Maintaining a continual learning perspective is important.

When you think of Chicago, what colors do imagine first?

I probably think about the flag. Actually—now that I think of it—grey. I see Chicago in such a romantic way in the fall and winter. The buildings really bring that out. Everything takes on this greyish color—like it absorbs the sky. There’s a very unique feel during the winter.

What’s your proudest moment as a Chicagoan?

I’m not a sports person, but I enjoy seeing people celebrate Chicago. The Cubs winning the World Series was a very happy night. I’m proud of our diversity in politics; I’m proud of our colleges and universities; I’m very proud that Barack and Michelle are from Chicago. It’s an underrated city.

If someone visits you from out of town, what restaurant would you take them to?

Probably to a Bulgarian restaurant where I’m from. Chicago offers a chance to be part of all these cultures within the city.

What’s your hidden gem in the city?

The lake path. It’s not hidden, but I think it’s under-appreciated. We have this amazing park area.

What sound do you most affiliate with the city?

Wind tunnels. Going back to that winter feel. If you take out your headphones and walk down Jackson towards the lake, there’s so many pockets to hear the wind loudly and clearly. It provides a gothic feel that I think is unique. I lived downtown during college, and it was an enjoyable time to experience that.

What music has influenced you the most during your time in the city?

Blues. I love Chicago blues. I love going to blues bars. Obviously, Kingston Mines. I love when artists improvise. It’s so inspiring. It goes beyond music—it’s the passion.

What’s a common scene you see in your daily interaction with the city?

Actually, it’s not positive, but we took a trip to southeast Asia and when we came back, I noticed how many people in the city are affected by mental illness. I didn’t see that outside the country. There are a lot of people here on the streets talking to themselves, homeless, and not receiving the adequate care and help.

If you were given secret information that Chicago would be destroyed in one week, what’s one quality you’d choose to keep to rebuild it?

The CTA set up. I think it needs a lot of improvement, but it’s the life line of the city. You can get to so many areas cost effectively. I would keep that integrity.

What’s one thing you’d do to improve your neighborhood?

I would diversify it more. I think we have an opportunity to allow more creativity in our businesses. In Lincoln Park taxes are so high that if you’re not a big box store or brand, you can’t afford rent and take risks. If we found a way to create this startup hub in Chicago for tech, there must be a way to do that for other businesses.

When people learn you’re from Chicago, how do they respond?

I feel like it’s my home even though people bring up my accent. I usually get a positive response, but it’s followed up with “What about the crime?” I think it stems back to our schools. It’s a vicious cycle. I hope we figure out how to get out of it.

When you feel overwhelmed or need a mental escape but can’t leave the city, where do you go to clear your mind?

Chinatown. It’s just one example of experiencing another culture and cuisine all within the city limits. I like to check out neighborhoods whose culture is still present from the people that moved there years ago. It’s authentic.

What’s something you’re curious about recently?

I’m interested in learning more about how mental health is affecting societies. I’m curious about emotional stress on our physical health and well-being. I don’t think we’re doing enough to understand that. Not to mention social media and comparing ourselves to each other, feeling inadequate in a number of ways. That’s why I do yoga and I like the idea of being present and within the moment, but it’s so hard to accomplish. It’s the moments. It’s what you can control.

Within the past five years of living here, what personal realization has improved your outlook on life the most?

That idea of being present and all you can control is right now. I think about five years ago being asked at an internship where I’d like to be in five years. And I’m at where I wanted to be. Five years goes by fast. I’m happy with my career. I’ve gotten everything I wanted. When your dreams are founded upon material things, the satisfaction doesn’t feel as good as you thought. It’s better to lead with purpose. There’s a lot more beauty in the process than actually getting to the destination.

What’s something you dream of accomplishing over the next five years?

I would love to live a more simple life. But that’s not measurable. In five years, I want to be happy. Being comfortable with yourself and the choices you’re making. It means being okay with setbacks and things not going your way. Having a more holistic view of life. I would love to find that.