Run to the hills: Redesign your lives
Creativity enhancement and existential thoughts as the main characters
So we wanted to get out of the heat and noise of such a big city like Rio de Janeiro and get a bit of calm. It was great but there was a need for a greener place with mountains ⛰️😁. It turns out there was a city just 1 hour and a half from Rio by bus that checked all the boxes. We were looking to set roots for at least a month in a peaceful place as we had stayed just 2 weeks in 2 different places.
I like the fact this option came out of nowhere. You can easily get surprised if you don’t plan too much. I usually research a lot as I like the process of doing so. But going with the flow sounds like a good plan many times.
“WTF is Petrópolis?” was a question I’d also be happy to answer. You won’t see me taking a photo with the tiny Mona Lisa in the Louvre. In fact, the memories I hold the most are much more simple.
I wasn’t actively looking for a job as I was trying to find the right fit. And I had to talk about my short-term plans and where I’d be located today and tomorrow. Even today, people speak about home-office jobs as if they were location dependant. But being a ‘digital nomad’ was a different thing.
“There is no happiness if the things we believe in are different than the things we do”
— Albert Camus
I got freedom by going out, hiking, and visiting restaurants, cafes, and many spots. I just took a couple of small freelance projects while finishing my contribution as a UX Mentor.
As a designer, you deal with the Blank Page Syndrome, the Imposter Syndrome, or whatever syndrome you want. And as a millennial designer, you can also add a dose of anxiety.
I’m not quoting Steve Jobs, Don Norman, or any of these guys. What the heck is doing Albert Camus on the quote above?
This is often unspoken due to portfolios that highlight what you think are accomplishments and avoid showing the failures and many other things. Today it feels like there are more and more processes to be added to our schedules. That leads to more (zoom) meetings, bureaucracy, and ultimately…burnout.
This might just eventually pop up while having a beer with some close friends/colleagues 🍻
Studies have shown that taking time away from the job can have physical and mental health benefits. People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals.
The importance of taking some time off 🕒
1) Elevate physical health 👟
Taking a vacation every two years compared to every six will lessen the risk of coronary heart disease or heart attacks. What if it’s more than that? Or if it’s every weekend around the corner?
2) Elevate mental health 🧠
Chronic exposure to stress can lead to anxiety and depression. When you take a vacation, calm arises and stress is relieved.
3) Elevate motivation 💪
You will feel more focused and productive when coming back. Chronic stress can make it difficult to achieve certain tasks and cause memory problems.
4) Avoid burnout 🤯
You will feel more creative and productive than overworked, under-rested people. Address your mental, physical and spiritual needs before committing to responsibilities.
5) Stronger family relationships 💛
Having more time to spend with your family will lead you to better connections. You will not regret having not spent so much time with them in the future. And you will feel happier.
A Time for Reflection 🧘🏻♂️
What was the last time you stopped and thought about your next goals in life? For me, it’s something hard when running on the wheel. I got a lot of inspiration while when on vacation. But that was a short amount of time and then I’d go back to my routine and forget some of those things. Not everything, but the thoughts would be more corrupted. There would be more ‘but what if…?’ and doubts.
One of the most life-changing moments I had was 10 years ago when I left a job because I wanted to work as a freelancer. I was much younger and had no plan, but I felt it was the right time to prove my worth.
3 GOOD 👼🏻 things about that experience
- I designed and developed quite complex websites and built a strong portfolio that ultimately lead me to better job opportunities in the future
- I got a recurring client whom I kept working with for the next 7 years and gave me the chance to earn a side income
- I did and Euro tour for a month and spent a couple of weeks in the Patagonia in less than a 3 months timeframe
3 BAD 👹 things about that experience
- I spent a lot of time at home
- I spent a lot of time at home
- I spent a lot of time at home
I think it was great being aware of having spent a lot of time at home. I knew I could get shit done but I also needed a reason to go out, stay healthy and explore 🌎
“The overman…Who has organized the chaos of his passions, given style to his character, and become creative. Aware of life’s terrors, he affirms life without resentment.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
The truth is there’s no recipe. But it is better to regret having done something than not. And you can also force something to the point of breaking it.
We are still in the middle of a global pandemic, trying to do our best. This is also an opportunity to value our lives and design the kind of life we would be happier with.
