Ignas Krupavičius – 39: “Life does not stop and I surrender to it”

“When they ask me what my age is, sometimes I have to think hard. I just live and don’t think about a year, because nothing will change. “ says I. Krupavičius.

Audience favorite journalist, Lithuanian Armed Forces volunteer for the portal People.lt He talks about upcoming military exercises, yearning to travel, relationship with his wife Vaida, and thoughts of starting a family.

Ignai, what mood are you in for your birthday?

The moods are ambiguous. Usually I would run away somewhere on my birthdays, because this year it is not possible, I will probably find it in Liepkalnis. (smile).

Based on my experience, I could say that I need to go to bed with the children at nine at night.

Why is there a desire to escape birthdays?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. I do not count the years that pass. In fact, when they ask me what my age is, sometimes I have to think carefully how many years I have been here for myself. I just live and don’t think about it because that thought won’t change anything. Useless.

And the desire to escape is perhaps because of my work, because I have a lot of communication, so sometimes I want to have fewer people around. We communicate with close people and friends without any opportunity, for that a birthday is not necessary.

And does this day encourage indulgence?

Now I keep looking at my son, who is 30 years younger than me, and when he grew up going to school, I realized how quickly time was running out. You already want to be reluctant to realize that you are on the threshold beyond which you move to the other side of life. However, I am well aware that the body will age, but the same person will remain in the heart. I try to remind myself on my birthday that we live in the here and now, and we may not have another birthday. Why doesn’t it make sense to spend not just this day, but the whole year?

As a birthday, I ask you: what plans do you have for next year? Maybe there are things you want to try or learn?

It’s not me who, at the end of the year, thinks about what to do in the next few years. I really hope I can travel now, I really want to know new countries and cultures. Of course, I am always open to new projects, new shows.

I realize that the body is old, but the same person will remain in the heart.

The mobilization of soldiers will begin shortly, to which the soldiers will be invited to update their knowledge after five years, which again will be a good month for the exercise. Like I say, this is festive. Such pleasures await me and I don’t know what’s next. Life does not stop and I surrender to it (smile).

You used to travel actively and mentioned clues during the conversation. Did I understand correctly that you miss them?

I’d really like to fly where it’s hotter, but I’m not complaining about the winter fun either. I have long understood that it is not necessary to fly far, just go to Klaipeda or Nida and you are already full of impressions and energy. Probably the most you want is not to travel, but to escape from everyday life and those four walls between which you feel safe and pleasant. I want to escape for a while and come home with a sweet heart (smile).

You’ve been working on the East TV show for more than a decade, so East’s beginnings have become your constant companion. Still don’t want to change the rhythm of life?

For more than a decade, I have found that morning is a very good time to do important work. Maybe one day different projects will appear and you have to get used to a different rhythm, but I would definitely not dare and want to make radical changes.

The morning is very important for a person in terms of energy and I am convinced of that. When you go to bed early and wake up with the sun, it is truly unforgettable and a real pleasure.

And what advice would you give to those for whom the early morning sounds completely unromantic?

I would advise owls not to go to bed and wait until morning, if they do not sleep at night, because the morning time is really wonderful. (laughs). And from my experience, I could say that I have to go to bed with the children in bed at nine at night.

These years have been difficult for many and you always have to smile from the TV screen. What helps you maintain your inner balance when the whole world lives in darkness?

I can say that the family that is always with me. If there is a dialogue between the four borders, spending so much time together, I think that is the greatest driver and happiness. (smile).

Did new rituals appear in the family during the quarantine?

In fact, not much has changed. We may have more time to escape to the farm or take a walk in the woods. There was more time for reflection, but basically family life did not change. As we were close, so we have survived (smile).

You like to actively spend time in nature. Does the work refresh you, the flow of information here?

I enjoy being in nature. Now that you can’t go anywhere, it’s a walk in the woods where there are fewer people. At times like this, I try to distance myself from the phone, to beat myself. You always want to go out to sea and see those wide horizons, take a walk along the coast. The sand and the sea inspire me a lot.

Lately, people can see you not only on television, but also running somewhere in the park. Are you running even in the cold?

After work, I like to run to Vingis Park, but when it’s really cold, it slows me down. This year I discovered another pleasure: after a five-year break, I took out my cross-country skis, which I had completely forgotten about. We had almost no winter last year, so this year we are rediscovering alpine skiing with the whole family. Wife and son learn, very happy.

The key is to feel what the other person wants, to listen to what they say.

In fact, it’s a lot of fun when you look out the window at those great mountains, the hills that are taller than you, and think how happy you are. It’s fun to experience that winter fun we did when we were kids.

I have noticed that he rarely shares interviews, telling other people’s stories more often. Don’t you like talking about yourself?

The most important thing for me is listening. Here in life in general, not just in journalism. I notice that sometimes we forget to listen carefully to what we are told. We condemn a person in advance, his actions, how he looks, how he behaves, what he is, because we do not listen. Sometimes I realize that it is very important to listen to a person without condemning them, but understanding.

I recently spoke with a blind skier. Her story is very inspiring and I think we often complain unnecessarily.

I love other stories that make me think about my own life. When I talk to people who achieve spectacular things, I do not give in to the difficulties of life, I am not inspired by myself.

I recently spoke with a blind skier who has seen a lot of things in his life, lost his sight as a teenager, but that didn’t let him go broke – he started three businesses, danced with a parachute, and tried a lot more than, say, me. Now he wants to go to the Olympics with a member of the team and be the first Lithuanian alpine skier.

His story inspires me a lot and I think many times we complain unnecessarily. It’s snowing too much, you get up early to work, it’s another thing to do. I am very happy to be able to meet different people. This is my greatest gift.

And that gift, listening to what the other person is saying, are you also using it to nurture the relationship? Is it more important to listen than to speak?

I always try. But relationships in general are an art and require a lot of attention, exceptional diligence, the ability to let go of one’s principles and accept a person as they are. I understand that with your sermons and desire to change a trait that you do not like in another person, you will not achieve anything good.

We have to accept another person as he is because we are not gods or omnipotent who can tell another person that you have to live differently now. When you realize that two different people who have come to life under one roof are building a relationship, you want to seek compromises.

I think a person has to live their life and if you find someone that you have connected with, you can share a roof, that’s great. The key is to feel what the other person wants, to listen to what they say. Here is a complex and serious matter that requires effort.

Maybe you are dreaming of a bigger family?

Yes. We are open and expect children in our lives. We would also appreciate these gifts.