Talk Time: Episode 006 – Lana Miro

3,230 words, 17 minutes read time.

Editor’s Note

In our 6th Talk Time episode, Lana brings balance.

🇵🇰 Roman Urdu Version

Lana Miro ka Talk Time interview ab Roman Urdu mein bhi parhein.

👋 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

Let’s start by getting to know you. This section covers your background, current work, interests, and the experiences that have shaped your journey.

Please introduce yourself.

Hi! I’m Lana, a 30-year-old. I’m someone who’s always curious and loves learning new things, whether it’s exploring new places, reading books, or trying out new hobbies. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time in nature. I also love sharing my experiences and thoughts on my personal blog, where I write about travel, productivity, and everyday life. Living in Ukraine has taught me to appreciate the little things, stay adaptable, and make the most of every opportunity.

What’s your hometown, and where do you currently live?

My hometown is Mykolaiv, Ukraine, and it’s also where I currently live. Since the full-scale invasion, there have been periods when the security situation became more challenging, so I occasionally stay in Pervomaisk, a smaller city about three hours away. It gives me a chance to recharge while still staying close to home.

What do you do professionally?

I’m marketer specializing in WordPress products. I’ve spent the last several years helping WordPress companies grow through content, partnerships, affiliate marketing, PR, and community building. I genuinely enjoy making technical products easier to understand and connecting them with the people who can benefit from them. Whether it’s writing, launching campaigns, collaborating with partners, or speaking with the community at WordPress events, I’m always excited to find new ways to help great products reach a wider audience.

What is your educational background?

I have a bachelor’s degree in Economics, studied in my hometown of Mykolaiv, Ukraine. While my career eventually led me into marketing, my studies gave me a strong foundation in business, analytical thinking, and problem-solving, which I still apply in my work today.

What are you working on these days?

I’ve been part of the Melapress team for the past six months, the creators of WP Activity Log, WP 2FA, and Melapress Login Security plugins for WordPress, where I focus on content marketing and community growth. My day-to-day work includes writing blog posts and documentation, creating and editing videos, managing our social media channels, and building relationships through partnerships within the WordPress community. I’m also involved in The Melapress Show, our podcast hosted by our CEO and founder, Robert Abela, where I help with planning, promotion, and growing its reach. I enjoy the variety of my role. 🙂

What achievement are you most proud of?

There are quite a few, mostly because I’ve been learning to let go of imposter syndrome and acknowledge both the big and the small achievements. On a personal level, I’m most proud of building a work-life balance that genuinely works for me. I have a limited amount of energy, so I’ve learned to be intentional about how I spend it and to create routines that help me stay productive without burning out. I’m also incredibly proud of the relationships I’ve built with my husband, my sister, and the rest of my family. They’re my biggest supporters, and I try to invest in those relationships as much as possible. Professionally, I’m proud that I found a career I genuinely enjoy early on. I’ve built a remote career doing meaningful work, learned to stay organized and productive.

What hobbies do you enjoy outside WordPress?

I’m a huge book lover. I enjoy reading stories that either teach me something new, help me relax, or simply allow me to unwind after a busy day. Reading has always been one of my favorite ways to recharge. Another hobby of mine is driving. Owning a car was a childhood dream, so I genuinely enjoy the freedom that comes with it. Whether it’s a short weekend trip or a longer road trip, I love being behind the wheel. I also love planning travel. Researching destinations, creating itineraries, and organizing every detail is part of the fun for me. I enjoy discovering new places, cultures, and local food, and every trip gives me fresh inspiration and memorable experiences.

What motivates you in life?

I’m motivated by seeing the results of consistent effort. Whether it’s building strong relationships, becoming healthier through regular exercise, or helping a product grow through my work, I find it incredibly rewarding to look back and see how small, consistent actions turn into meaningful progress.

What is something the WordPress community doesn’t know about you?

That’s a tricky question because I share quite a lot about my life on my blog, so I feel like there aren’t many secrets left! 😀

How would your friends describe you?

I think my friends would describe me as supportive, open-minded, and positive.

🔍 DISCOVERING WORDPRESS

Every contributor has a beginning. Share how you first discovered WordPress, what attracted you to it, and how your journey started.

How did you first discover WordPress?

My WordPress journey started with an internship at TemplateMonster, just one day after I graduated from university. The internship lasted three months and introduced us to the fundamentals of WordPress (and some other CMSs). During that time, we worked on different tasks and explored various areas of the business to discover what suited us best. That’s when I realized I really enjoyed marketing and the WordPress ecosystem. What started as my first job after university eventually turned into a long-term career.

What was your first WordPress project?

TemplateMonster – this was the marketplace. They had WordPress template, theme, and plugin categories. I suppose WordPress was one of the biggest categories there.

What attracted you to WordPress?

At first, it was the opportunity to learn something new. But once I started working with WordPress, talking to bloggers, YouTubers, and members of the community, I realized there was something special about the ecosystem. What attracted me most was the people. The WordPress community is incredibly open, welcoming, and always willing to share knowledge. It gave me the freedom to explore different areas of marketing, build meaningful connections, and continuously learn from others. For me, WordPress isn’t just a platform, it’s a community where I can be myself, keep growing professionally, and connect with inspiring people from all over the world.

Who helped you when you were getting started?

I was incredibly lucky to have an amazing team around me when I started my career. My colleagues from the Affiliate Department at TemplateMonster were always willing to answer my questions, share their knowledge, and support me as I learned.

When did you realize WordPress would become part of your career?

I think I truly realized WordPress was going to be a long-term part of my career when I left it. After spending 4 years at TemplateMonster, I decided to try something completely different, mostly because of health issues and the need for a change. I worked as a photographer’s assistant for about a year, and it was a fascinating experience. I loved the creativity, being on the move instead of sitting at a desk all day, and helping plan photo shoots. But over time, I realized I missed the WordPress community more than anything. I missed collaborating with people, building relationships, and working on products that help others. That’s when I joined Crocoblock, and it confirmed that WordPress was where I truly belonged. 😀 Looking back, stepping away for a while helped me appreciate just how much I enjoy being part of this ecosystem.

What was your first contribution to WordPress?

My first contribution was during Contributor Day at WordCamp Europe in Basel in 2025, where I joined the Marketing Team.

What skills did WordPress help you develop?

My first contribution experience was a mix of excitement and uncertainty. I joined the Marketing Team during Contributor Day, where we discussed ideas on how to promote WordCamps and encourage more people to get involved in the WordPress community. Since marketing is often more strategic and long-term, it wasn’t always easy to see the immediate impact of our work. At first, that was a little frustrating. I wasn’t sure whether my ideas would make a real difference. But over time, I realized that open-source contributions don’t always produce instant results.

< /> CONTRIBUTION JOURNEY

Contributions are at the heart of the WordPress project. Tell us about your contribution, experiences, motivations, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.

Which contribution are you most proud of?

I’d say it’s a small contribution. This year, I joined the Documentation Team during Contributor Day. I reviewed existing documentation, suggested improvements, and was able to see those changes being accepted and published. Receiving immediate feedback and seeing the documentation improve because of my contributions was incredibly rewarding.

Which teams or projects have you contributed to?

Marketing and Documentation

What motivates you to contribute?

What motivates me to contribute is the opportunity to be helpful. If I have knowledge or experience, I’m happy to share it. I still don’t consider myself a major contributor. I’m more of an explorer: I like trying different contributor teams, learning how they work, and helping whenever I can.

What contribution would you like to make in the future?

I think I will continue with the Documentation team and maybe try joining the Playground team (but I think it’s a more technical one).

Why should others contribute?

I don’t think I’m the right person to tell others that they should contribute, because everyone has their own motivations and interests. For me, contributing is about being helpful, learning something new, and meeting people from different parts of the WordPress community.

🗓️ COMMUNITY & EVENTS

The WordPress community is built by people. We’d love to hear about your experiences with meetups, WordCamps, community building, and the connections you’ve made.

What does the WordPress community mean to you?

Being part of such a large and welcoming community is incredibly encouraging. It reminds you that you’re not alone: facing challenges, learning something new, or simply sharing the same interests with others.

What was your first WordCamp experience?

It was WordCamp Europe 2024 in Torino, where we were sponsoring with Crocoblock team. Amazing event, city, and people.

What is your favorite WordCamp memory?

My favorite WordCamp memory is actually from this year’s after-party. After a few busy days filled with talks, networking, and activities, I ended up spending the evening with three people from different countries. We had such great conversations not just about WordPress, but about our lives, cultures, and experiences. It was one of those moments that reminded me that WordCamp is about much more than the conference itself.

📈 WORK & PRODUCTIVITY

How do you approach your work and manage your day? This section explores your work habits, productivity, tools, and professional insights.

What does a typical workday look like?

I usually start my day with a list of tasks I’ve prepared in advance. It helps me stay organized, prioritize my work, and easily adjust my schedule when new tasks come up. My workday typically runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which is the schedule that works best for me. I’ve learned that I have a limited amount of energy, so rather than trying to work longer hours, I focus on working efficiently during the time when I’m at my best.

Where do you usually work from?

From home. I have everything set up comfortably: standing desk, good chair, laptop, etc.

Morning person or night owl?

Neither! 😀 I’m definitely not a morning person; I need a little time to fully wake up. But I’m not a night owl either, because I’m usually in bed by 9 p.m.

What helps you stay productive?

Having a plan and schedule.

How do you handle stress and avoid burnout?

I’ve tried a lot of different advice over the years, but after going through depression, I realized that the most important thing is to listen to myself first. When I’m feeling stressed, I ask myself what I actually need in that moment. Sometimes it’s going for a walk, sometimes it’s talking to someone I trust, and sometimes it’s simply lying down for an hour and doing absolutely nothing. I’ve learned that rest isn’t something to feel guilty about.

How do you avoid burnout?

I don’t think burnout is something you can always avoid. In fact, I experienced it myself last year. It was one of the reasons I decided to leave Crocoblock, take a four-month break, and give myself time to rest before starting a new chapter in my career. That experience taught me a lot about my own limits. Today, I try to prevent burnout by not overworking, sticking to a schedule, planning my days, and regularly looking back at what I’ve accomplished. Seeing the results of my work reminds me that what I do has value. I also make time to rest and look for small moments of joy every day: a good book, a walk, a conversation, or simply a quiet evening. Those little things may seem insignificant, but together they make a big difference in maintaining my well-being.

What does success mean to you today?

Staying healthy, happy, and understanding you are on a right place.

What is the best career advice you received?

Do not believe everything you see in social media and do not compare yourself (still learning)

🤖 AI & THE FUTURE

Explore how AI is changing the way we work, learn, and contribute

How has AI changed the way you work?

It’s helping a lot with speeding me up, actually, and trying something interesting easily (like building new skills/projects). But sometimes, it’s slowing down and I’m spending more time on editing -_-

What AI tool do you use most often today?

ChatGPT and Claude. Gemini sometimes.

What skill do you think will become more important in the AI era?

Critical thinking.

🍽️ FOOD & DRINKS

Now for the fun part! Share your favorite foods, drinks, food memories, and the meals that bring you comfort, joy, or inspiration.

What is your favorite food?

Sushi

What is your favorite drink?

Water and kombucha (non-alcoholic)

Tea or coffee?

Both, depends on the day time 😀

What food reminds you of childhood?

Watermelons, definitely. I’m from the south of Ukraine, where summers are hot and the steppe landscapes are well-suited for growing watermelon. Even now, eating a watermelon instantly brings back those childhood memories and reminds me of warm summer days.

What do you usually eat while working?

I’m quite strict with my eating schedule, so during workdays I usually eat meals that I’ve prepared in advance. I try to choose food that is healthy, balanced, and gives me enough energy to stay focused throughout the day (like porridge or grains with meat and some vegetables).

What local dish should visitors try?

Ukraine is a true treasure trove of food, so it’s difficult to choose just a few dishes! I would definitely recommend starting with borscht, after that, try deruny (potato pancakes), especially with sour cream.

🔥 COOKING & KITCHEN

Whether you’re an experienced cook or just enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, we’d love to learn about your cooking experiences, favorite dishes, and kitchen stories.

Do you cook?

Yes, I do cook, and I actually enjoy preparing meals when I have enough time and energy. At the same time, I’m realistic and use ready-made meals or dishes that only need to be cooked.

What dish can you cook perfectly?

Borscht (obviously)

Who taught you to cook?

My mother, father and grandma

If a team of WPKitchen visited your home, what would you serve?

If the WPKitchen team visited my home, I would serve borscht, of course, potato pancakes (deruny), and probably add some seasonal dishes, like zucchini dishes, depending on the time of year.

What meal would best represent your personality and why?

Actually, borscht is the best describing my personality, because of having a lot of ingredients 😀

😋 WORDPRESS & FOOD

Tell us about the meals, drinks, and food experiences connected to your WordPress journey.

What do you usually drink while contributing?

Water

What is your favorite WordCamp food memory?

I really liked the menu of WordCamp Europe 2025 in Zurich, because they had Asian food.

Which country had the most memorable WordCamp food?

Switzerland

😄 FUN & REFLECTION

A collection of lighthearted and thought-provoking questions designed to reveal more about your personality, perspectives, and interests beyond WordPress.

Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?

Yes

Sweet or savory?

Savory

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Rest without guilt, but this is something I’m learning 😉

What is something on your bucket list?

A few things on my bucket list are getting a treadmill, attending concerts of my favorite Ukrainian bands, and traveling the Balkans.

🥄 ONE MORE BITE

Go beyond the questions and share the little things that make your story uniquely yours. These optional photos, memories, recommendations, and personal details add character, warmth, and a personal touch to your Talk Time interview.

☕ Favorite Mug: Share a photo of your favorite tea cup, coffee mug, or drinking glass.

🖥️ Workspace: Share a photo of your workspace.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Photo (Optional) If you’re comfortable, feel free to share a family photo or a photo with your partner, children, parents, or loved ones. This helps readers get to know the people who support your journey beyond WordPress.

📚 Meaningful Item: Share a photo of an item that means something to you and tell us why.

🏷️ WordPress Memory: Share a photo of a WordCamp badge, sticker, T-shirt, or souvenir.

🌍 Favorite Place: Share a photo of a place that inspires you.

🧳 Travel Memory: Share a memorable travel photo or story.

📸 Then vs Now: Share an old photo from your early WordPress days and a recent one.

✍️ Handwriting Sample: Besides your signature /autograph, write a short sentence by hand: “WordPress brings people together.”

🎧 Current Playlist: What are you listening to these days?

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDCLAK5uy_mplKe9BIYCO3ZuNWSHZr48bm9DUDzbWnE&playnext=1&si=sdzLv6537i23mcPE

📖 Current Book: What book are you currently reading?

“Little” by Edward Carey

💫 BEYOND THE QUESTIONS

Every Talk Time interview includes five personal elements that make it different from traditional interviews. These simple details help readers connect with the person behind the WordPress profile and add a uniquely WPKitchen touch to every story.

🍽️ Current Meal or Drink: Please share a photo of a meal, snack, tea, coffee, or drink you are currently enjoying. What are you having today?

🏠 Kitchen Photo: Please share a photo of your kitchen or cooking space. Tell us a little about this space.

A Message for WPKitchen

Thank you for this project!

Guestbook Autograph

Until Our Next Tasty Conversation

Lana’s Talk Time reminds us that a meaningful career is not only about what we accomplish, but also about how we make space for learning, community, creativity, and life beyond work. Her story shows the value of staying curious while finding a balance that works for you.

Thank you, Lana, for bringing balance to Talk Time and sharing your experiences, passions, and perspective with us.