Liuba’s Diary

You Are Not Wasting Your Time When You Do What You Love

Liuba’s Diary — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:26:28 GMT

A life made of little moments worth remembering. Scrapbook made by me.

Do you remember the things you loved doing as a child? Climbing the highest tree, collecting stones, dressing up just for fun. And most of all, do you remember how it made you feel?

THIS BOOK is for anyone who has ever LOVED in SILENCE

Liuba’s Diary — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:17:48 GMT

“What we crave from others far more than money or material assistance is love and attention.” ~ page 155

Teeny Tiny Review

I have just finished reading “MADONNA IN A FUR COAT” by Sabahattin Ali, and WoW, what a masterpiece. Written by a Turkish dissident who was murdered in 1948. This short, partly autobiographical novel follows a Turkish man (Raif) who falls in love with an artist ( Maria) while living in Berlin in the 1920s. A love story that doesn’t try to impress. It simply tries to be true.

My Favourite Quotes

Behind Every Perfect Photo Is a Life You Know Nothing About

Liuba’s Diary — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:14:58 GMT

Dear Diary

A few days ago, I had a long phone call with one of my dearest friends. She wasn’t feeling good at all. She said that every time she opens Instagram, she sees people on holiday, eating at the restaurants, smiling and seemingly living their best lives, while she feels like she is doing nothing, stuck with routine and her little children.

We talked about it for a while, and I asked her when she usually finds herself scrolling through social media. “Mostly when I have nothing else to do and I am getting bored,” she said. “And then I see everyone else out there having fun, and suddenly my own life feels even more boring.”

This Book Will Make You Want to Bring More Music Into Your Child's Life

Liuba’s Diary — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 08:45:52 GMT

I picked this book from a small gift & book shop located in the crypt of St Martin in the Fields Church at the edge of Trafalgar Square and I am very glad I did. The book is written by Joan Koenig, a pioneering music educator and owner of L’Ecole Koenig Conservatory, Preschool and Kindergarten in Paris.

I picked this one up almost by chance. Very glad I did.

The Musical Child is about the positive impact music can have on children’s development in their early years. The book follows a child’s development from infancy to age six. For each age, Koenig describes the different stages of a child’s development and demonstrates how music can fit into each one like a therapeutic puzzle piece.

5 Blue Zones Where People Live Longer Than In The Rest Of The World

Liuba’s Diary — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:18:12 GMT

A couple years ago, I watched a documentary on Netflix about the world’s Blue Zones. It is about five places where people regularly live longer than almost anywhere else. We have even had the chance to visit one of these zones. Read on to discover what I learnt.

I Wish This Book Had Never Needed To Have Been Written

Liuba’s Diary — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:23:56 GMT

One night in November 2015, when Antoine Leiris was at home looking after Melvil his baby son, his wife Hélène was killed, along with 88 other people at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris.

Three days later, Antoine did something unforgettable. Instead of answering to violence with hatred, he wrote a long open letter to his wife’s killers that would echo around the world. The letter went viral back then and many people wanted to help Antoine and Melvil.

Welcome To My Diary

Liuba’s Diary — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:28:38 GMT

For anyone who doesn’t know me yet, I am Liuba but my official name is Liubovi. I was named after my grand grandmother. All my friends have more modern names but I guess my parents still didn’t watch those famous TV series to get inspired for a fancier name.

Anyway, I am not here to complain about my name. I adore my name and it means LOVE.

I have a ten year old boy called Nikita. He is a keen reader. He plays piano and violin. My heart is bursting with joy and happiness when I watch him practice or perform.

I read a lot. I love books, classical music, art, vintage things, gardening, partying/chatting with friends and travel. And I am always busy designing our new home. Ahhh and I nearly forgot to mention that my favourite drink is PROSECCO.

9 Must See Attractions In Nice, France

Liuba’s Diary — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 22:03:00 GMT

[I first wrote this in 2014. Reading it again years later, I realised it still had something to say. I’ve revised it a little and wanted to give it a new home here on Liuba’s Diary.]

She Always Has a Book

Liuba’s Diary — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 00:40:00 GMT

[Originally published on my blog in 2014. Twelve years later, I’m bringing it here to Substack because apparently, I have always been a girl with a book.]

Maybe You Don’t Need To Be Productive Today

Liuba’s Diary — Thu, 30 May 2013 09:19:00 GMT

[I first wrote this back in 2013. Rereading it again today (07.08.2026), I realised the message is still just as meaningful. I’ve revisited it, changed a few words and decided to give it a new home here on Liuba’s Diary]

Dear friend,

Children Know Something We Have Forgotten

Liuba’s Diary — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:34:00 GMT

[I originally wrote this in 2011, when I was 23 years old.]

"I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring." — Liz Armbruster

Today was another one of those wonderful days, spent surrounded by my little nephews. I don’t think I could ever quite put into words how dear they are to me. They are my little sweethearts and whenever I am with them, life somehow feels warmer and a little more beautiful.