Open letter: How do you end this year well?
I feel like September is the month everyone realizes the year is ending, time to review the resolutions and catch up with what you still seem to have time to accomplish. Looking back, this year was different from anything I lived in my life and probably you too. However, it made me go even deeper and reflect on how’s my life has been since moving to Sweden.
I feel like I’ve been living a collection of “first times” where I’m constantly putting myself in vulnerable situations, in uncomfortable positions, but hey, that’s what it means to start something, right? A new life, new friends, new job.. I don’t call myself an entrepreneur, I’m not there yet. I’m courageous. I decided to make real (BIG) changes in everything I wasn’t happy with and I’m going forward. I love this quote btw: There is only one logical direction in which to go: Forward. The author is unknown maybe I can steal it for me, no?!
2020 has been a rollercoaster, I know you heard this so much already that it became a cliché, yet sayings become cliché because when something is true, it is said many times that it is a cliché to say it again. I had more ups and downs than a CrossFit professional doing squats. A mix of emotions, anxiety, thoughts, all together in two places: my body and mind. I started this year turning 30, which I can make sure to you that 29 was a crazy crisis between am I ready for this or not, guess what? I am.
It is the year I officially launched this dear platform called GLOOW, which I’ve been working for the past 1,5 years. It was the year I stopped exercising weekly for a semester because I can (I’m 30 now, remember?). This was also time to revaluate my relationship, trying to see as an “outsider” how we are growing old together. And of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, something surreal to be living it which made me realize how the world is SUPER connected. This subject is hard and I wrote two essays about it here and here.
I always thought of myself as more pessimist than an optimist, but 2020 also made me see that I am an optimistic person. The idea of pessimism is never seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, having no before the yes, punishing yourself for not doing this or that, or thinking that things only happen to you. Guess what? Everyone is constantly anxious, happy, worried, angry, or sad about something, don’t fool yourself! This week was an intense, constant headache, impostor syndrome at its maximum. And I was thinking about what to write, what to share, and I thought: What is more human than sharing struggles? It is easy to look clean and cool. But to be vulnerable takes courage.
I created this platform to show the obstacles and accomplishments of a daily basis, to inspire and feel inspired by you. I believe it’s time to be more transparent with each other. As I said before, sharing is caring! And behind my constant feeling of eating all the chocolates in the world and my headache that don’t go away this week, the most important thing I learned this year (and after two years of therapy) is to listen to my body and comprehend when I want chocolate and when I need to exercise. (Or is my 30s consciousness, such a grown-up now!)
Also, understanding the greatness of vulnerability (Brené Brown are you proud of me?)! I learned that between first-times situations and getting out of my comfort zone, my world turned bigger. Please, don’t get me wrong, comfort zones are still 100% my Sundays. However, there’s a characteristic rising between these two things: spontaneity. And you can’t imagine the cultural-shock of a Brazilian living in Sweden, I’m constantly planning short notices dinner parties to inspire this hidden side of my friends.
Therefore, the year is ending and we all get emotional, anxious, and annoyed that somethings are left on the way. But I want to challenge you to set realistic goals for the rest of the year and write down:
- Something to start or try
- Something to stop
- Something you should continue (that you started this year)
- Something you should do more (try it 2x month)
- Something you should do less (once a month only)
Remember September is here and you still have 111 days to go!
As Nike used to say: JUST DO IT!
And when life gives you lemons.. just keep swimming.
