What is the best thing that I love about my work? The best thing about my work is the ability to create something that people don’t just see, but feel. I love building quiet atmospheres — moments that seem simple, but carry a deeper emotional layer. When someone looks at my work and pauses, even for a second, I know it worked.
What is my idea of happiness? My idea of happiness is being in a state where I can create freely and honestly. It’s a quiet balance between inner calm and inspiration. Happiness, for me, is not loud — it’s a soft feeling of being exactly where I’m supposed to be.
What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is losing connection with what I truly feel. Creating without meaning, just for the sake of output, is something I want to avoid. I always try to stay honest in my work, even when it’s difficult.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I can be overly self-critical. Sometimes I see what is missing instead of what is already there. But over time, I’ve learned that this also pushes me to grow and refine my work.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? I admire creators who build a strong visual language and stay true to it. People who don’t follow trends, but create their own direction. For me, it’s less about specific names and more about authenticity and depth.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? What I dislike the most is when work becomes purely technical and loses meaning. When the focus shifts from feeling to just producing content. I always try to return to intention and emotion.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I feel happiest when I create something that feels complete in a quiet way. Usually it happens late in the process, when everything finally aligns. Those moments are calm, but deeply satisfying.
If I could, what would I change about myself? I would trust my intuition faster. Sometimes I take time to be sure, even when I already feel the right direction. Learning to trust that instinct is something I’m working on.
What is my greatest achievement in work? My greatest achievement is building my own creative voice. Not copying, but developing something that feels truly mine. This is something I continue to grow every day.
Where would I most like to live? I would love to live in a place close to nature, with space and silence. A place that allows me to think and create without distraction. For me, environment is deeply connected to creativity.
What is my most treasured possession? My most treasured possession is my ability to imagine and feel deeply. It shapes everything I create and how I see the world. It is something no one can take away.
What is my most marked characteristic? My most marked characteristic is sensitivity to atmosphere and detail. I notice small things that others might overlook. This influences both my work and the way I experience life.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? Anywhere near water — a quiet shoreline, a place where the city fades away. These spaces allow me to slow down and reconnect with my thoughts. In that silence, ideas come naturally.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? I enjoy places that feel calm and intimate rather than busy. A quiet café with soft light and a sense of space is enough. For me, the atmosphere matters more than the place itself.
What books influenced my life and how? I’m drawn to books that explore inner worlds and human emotions. They shaped the way I see depth beyond the surface. More than specific titles, it’s the feeling they leave that stays with me.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I would choose music that feels timeless and calm. Something minimal, emotional, almost weightless. Music that allows you to feel everything fully.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? I’m drawn to quiet, observant characters. Not loud heroes, but those who carry depth and strength within. They often say more through silence than through action.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? I admire people who remain true to themselves and their path. Those who continue even when it’s not easy. For me, strength is quiet consistency.
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? A film that stays with you long after it ends. Something atmospheric, slow, and emotionally layered. A story you don’t just watch, but feel.
What role play stories in my life and work? Stories are at the core of everything I do. Even a single image carries a narrative. My work is about telling stories without words.
What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me? It means taking responsibility for how I see and shape my life. We don’t control everything, but we choose the meaning. In my work, I do the same — I create worlds and emotions.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? The people who believe in me, even quietly. Not always visible, but constant. That kind of support matters the most.
Which people or companies would I like to work with? I would love to collaborate with brands that value atmosphere, emotion, and storytelling. Especially in beauty and luxury. Brands like Dior, Chanel, Estée Lauder, YSL Beauty, Apple, and Aesop inspire me. I’m drawn to those who create not just products, but feelings.
What project am I looking forward to work on? Projects that combine visual art and storytelling into immersive experiences. Work that feels like a quiet emotional space, not just content.
Where can you see me or my work?
On LinkedIn and in my portfolio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/inesa-gladkaja-1119243a7/
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Passion evolves, but never disappears. As long as you stay connected to it, it continues to guide you.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Women who create with depth and authenticity. Those who build their own voice and are not afraid to explore it.
How can you contact me?
Email: [indara@inbox.lv](mailto:indara@inbox.lv)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inesa-gladkaja-1119243a7/
Take a Testdrive in Your Dreamjob

An initiative by The Hero’s Journey & The Heroine’s Journey
You have just read one of the 5,000 stories published here over the past decade. Every single one proves the same thing: a creative, fulfilling life is not a fantasy. It is a choice — made by real people, in real circumstances, one honest decision at a time.
Reading their story is the first step. The next step is a conversation. With the person already living the life you are wondering about.
What Is a Testdrive?
A Testdrive is one hour — or more — with a professional who is already living the life you are curious about. Not a motivational speaker. Not a career coach. The actual sculptor, filmmaker, chef, architect, or entrepreneur you want to understand from the inside.
You ask the questions that matter: What does a day really look like? What does it pay? What did you sacrifice to get here? What do you wish someone had told you before you started?
Peter de Kuster finds the right professional in his global network, makes the introduction, and gives you the questionnaire that gets honest answers — the same questionnaire behind every story on this site.
What You Receive
Access to a professional in the exact field you want to enter. A structured, deep conversation guided by Peter’s questionnaire. The unfiltered truth about a life you have been wondering about.
Your name is published as the interviewer on every profile you create — an immediate, permanent footprint across the creative industries you are exploring.
What Your Mentor Receives
Your mentor gives their time not for money but for something more lasting: the chance to help someone find their path, and a published profile on one of the world’s largest archives of creative professional stories — read by thousands of people every week.
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EXPLORER · € 150
One profession. One mentor. One honest hour inside the life you are curious about.
Peter finds the right professional, makes the introduction, and gives you the questionnaire. You conduct the interview. The result is published on The Hero’s Journey with your name as the interviewer.
Ideal for someone with one clear profession they want to explore.
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Up to three professions. Three mentors. Three published stories — each with your name as the interviewer.
Peter personally selects each mentor for fit — not just anyone in the field, but the right person for where you are in your journey. Three conversations across three different lives, giving you the depth and breadth to make your next move with complete confidence.
Ideal for someone standing at a genuine crossroads — curious about more than one path, and serious about finding the right one.
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Every euro goes directly to sustaining The Hero’s Journey and The Heroine’s Journey as independent storytelling platforms — ten years of published stories, and counting.
Ready? Tell Peter which professions you want to explore and which plan suits you. He will find your mentors.