THE SIDE THAT NOBODY TELLS ABOUT: STORY TELLYING

Luck follows courage. As Cortella said in his book, or many winners whose stories we have heard. What we often forget is that right before courage comes frustration, pain, and discomfort. The thing is that these stories we hear are told at the moment of recovery, when the worst is over. But what if someone writes when they are still face down, lying there, without hope, without perspective, consumed by the pain of failure, would you read it? Personally, I wouldn't. And let me explain: because what I look for in difficult times are stories similar to mine that turned out well. That gives me hope, inspires me. Nothing new here, but we can't confuse things. There can be hope and inspiration. The big question is how we describe the speed of the fall, the perception of the passage of time while we are there, lying down, without strength or courage to get up. We want this time to be as short as possible, like an ant bite, right?! This is where the danger lies, because in real life, if we take a little longer than the sting to get up, we feel that WE are the problem, that we are weak, without courage... Ok, ok, so let's press slow motion and take a closer look at this moment lying face down on the ground? Because this is where the process of getting back up takes place. It is there, looking at the ground, feeling your body without even being able to turn your head and look ahead when a lot happens inside us and allows the emergence of this spark that gives rise to the entire ignition of the recovery. We will open a gap in time and space, lying there, or rather, when we receive the blow that put us in that position. Ahhhh! And what a blow!

Failure hurts, it feeds the - I should have... I could have... - judgment and shame. The moment we are falling is the one in which we see the death of expectations, which can be very painful, it is a mourning, we see every dream or plan moving away (matrix moment). Pause in the pause of the pause. Let's be an anime. How many frames are dedicated to the fall, to the sensation of the fall from the perspective of the one who falls? We do see long falls when we tell the story of when we knocked down our opponent. But then the fall is described from the perspective of the one who won. Do you understand? The narrative of the fall is slow when we knock the other down, but very fast when we are knocked out, because we only start talking when we are standing again, or at least sitting down... it is always a narrative of the winner.

Bringing light to this moment of falling is very important. Looking up from the bottom and not from the top. Not that you won't be able to get up, please, that's not it! But rather realizing that this moment, the D-day (of the fall - "D" wrongly and not of the recovery - this will be the "R" moment) hurts like hell. So come with us in this dissection of the "D" day. It's on this day that the "magic" happens, hope resurfaces...

Whatever your narrative of downfall: in studies, in your career, in your love life or in your parenting journey, the "Not Yet", the not yet that I used with Carol Dweck so hopefully, is now sad, to dwell on what is still difficult, because it will STILL get harder before it gets better, you will not get better, at least NOT YET. I only know one thing: not being alone in any way, a wind blows on this face here, sweaty and tired, but with many frames still to draw.

Rituals and Flow: How to Create Meaningful Routines for a More Fulfilling Life

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a routine and a ritual? We often go through our days on autopilot, carrying out tasks without giving due attention to what we are doing. But what if we could transform our daily activities into moments of meaning and presence? In this article, we explore the importance of rituals for well-being, how they impact mental health and how they can be the key to accessing the state of flow, that moment of total immersion and full productivity.

The Difference Between Routine and Ritual

A routine is made up of habits and actions that we repeat daily. It helps us organize our lives and maintain a certain predictability. However, when it becomes mechanical and devoid of meaning, it can generate feelings of boredom and disconnection. A ritual, on the other hand, is an act filled with purpose. It transforms a common action into a special moment, bringing presence and intention to what we are doing.

Imagine the difference between simply drinking a cup of coffee in a hurry and turning it into a small ritual: choosing the beans, smelling the aroma, preparing it slowly and savoring every sip. Small details like these help us to get out of automatic mode and truly experience each experience.

The Impact of Rituals on Mental Health

Rituals are powerful tools for emotional regulation. They help create anchors in daily life, reducing stress and providing a sense of stability. Studies show that rituals can increase feelings of control and predictability, reducing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being.

Additionally, social rituals, such as sharing a family meal or performing a morning practice, strengthen bonds and foster connection. In a fast-paced world, these small practices allow us to slow down and truly connect with ourselves and others.

Flow: The State of Total Immersion

Flow is a neuroscience concept that describes a mental state in which we are completely immersed in an activity. In this state, we lose track of time, our performance reaches its peak, and we feel a deep satisfaction in what we are doing. Great athletes, artists, and high-performance professionals often report experiences of flow.

This state occurs when there is a balance between challenge and skill: the activity cannot be too easy, so as not to generate boredom, nor too difficult, so as not to cause frustration. Rituals are essential to prepare our mind and body to enter this state of immersion.

How Rituals Facilitate Flow

Creating a ritual before starting an activity can be the key to accessing flow more easily. Small habits can prepare our minds for a state of deep concentration. Some strategies include:

• Transition Rituals: Creating a small ritual to mark the transition from one activity to another can help improve focus. For example, before starting work, taking three deep breaths and organizing your desk can signal to your brain that it’s time to focus.

• Prepared Environment: Keeping an organized environment free from distractions encourages immersion in the activity.

• Connection with Purpose: Having clarity about why we are taking a certain action increases engagement and motivation.

Applying Rituals in Everyday Life

Turning ordinary activities into rituals may seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference. Some ideas include:

• Create a morning ritual to start your day with more intention, such as stretching, meditation, or a leisurely cup of coffee.

• Establish closing rituals at the end of the workday, such as a walk outside or a moment to reflect on the day's achievements.

• Incorporate social rituals, such as eating dinner without technological distractions and enjoying the presence of family members.

Conclusion

Rituals help us transform our daily lives into something more meaningful. They promote connection, presence, and well-being, and are a powerful tool for achieving a state of flow. Whether at work, at play, or in our personal lives, incorporating small rituals can bring more satisfaction and balance to our daily lives.

If you want to learn more about how to apply these concepts to your life, explore our content on well-being, neuroscience and personal development. Leave your comment, like the video and subscribe to the channel for more tips on how to live with more purpose and presence!

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Secrets of the Blue Zones: How to Live Longer and Better

Have you ever imagined living to 100 years old in good health and energy? In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into the fascinating Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones and discuss the secrets of these regions where longevity is not the exception, but the rule. These “blue zones” are places in the world where people live longer and with a better quality of life, and what they have in common can teach us a lot about well-being and health.

The concept of Blue Zones emerged from research that identified regions with a high concentration of healthy centenarians. Notable among these are Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Loma Linda (USA), Ikaria (Greece) and Nicoya (Costa Rica). Each of these communities has unique habits, but they share essential elements for longevity: a natural and balanced diet, moderate physical activity, strong social connections, a purpose in life and practices that help reduce stress.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is that in these regions there is no obsession with diets or intense exercise. Instead, movement happens naturally, whether it’s tending the land, hiking through rugged terrain, or simply engaging in daily tasks. In addition, a sense of community and belonging plays a crucial role in reducing the impact of stress and promoting emotional well-being. Adequate sleep, spirituality, and even the balanced consumption of wine at social gatherings also appear as important factors for a long and healthy life.

But what can we learn from the Blue Zones and apply them to our daily lives? Small changes make all the difference! Reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods, including more fresh and natural foods in our diet, cultivating deeper social bonds, finding a daily purpose and creating rituals to slow down are simple strategies that directly impact our quality of life.

If you are interested in longevity and want to find out how to incorporate these habits into your routine, don't miss our episode! Press play, share it with those who also want to live longer and better, and join the conversation by leaving your comment. Subscribe to the podcast and follow more content about health, well-being, and personal development!

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