A Forced Step Back
Five years ago, the world hit pause, and so did I.
Life made me slow down, and in that stillness, I came face to face with myself.
No distractions could shield me from this: just me and the mirror.
For the first time, I saw my life from above, like a helicopter view.
That uninvited break gave me perspective.
What I saw wasn’t always easy to deal with. It was raw. It was real. But it was necessary.
I realized I’d been running on autopilot, chasing goals I didn’t set, stuck in loops that drained more than they gave.
It was time to wake up.
Seeing Through the Fog
I saw how my environment was quietly stealing my energy.
Inspiration became rare. Relationships strained. Work felt hollow.
I was caught in a spiral of negativity, endless talk, with no traction or added value.
And deep down, I understood no one was waiting for me to succeed.
I was here to please and to comply.
The world isn’t fair. It’s not supposed to be.
It’s a clash of divergent interests, and that’s okay.
What matters is how I move through it.
It’s on me to carve my path, own my choices, and stand by the outcomes.
That’s what a man is supposed to do.
Realizing all that doesn't make you bitter, it is freeing.
Letting go
I stopped chasing what no longer served me.
Athletics faded with the lockdowns, though I’ll admit, summer 2020 had me flying on the track.
Video games, once a sort of escape, lost their grip.
I let go of distractions and started tuning in.
Listening to myself. Trusting my instincts.
Reclaiming my energy
I began putting myself first, not out of selfishness, but intention.
Because when I feel strong, I can show up better for others.
My body became my compass again.
I meditated. Reflected. Prayed. Asked for help.
I got honest with myself and with others.
I set boundaries.
I traveled more in five years than I had in my entire life.
Met new people. Learned new things. Took risks.
And slowly, I started feeling proud again.
I chose to live. Fully.
Learning the hard way
I learned the value of speed.
Decide fast. Act fast. Fail fast.
Then get up and do it again.
Mistakes aren’t the end. They’re part of the process.
Resilience is the real flex.
This journey? It’s far from easy but way more satisfying.
Staying true to the path
Recentering helped me stay focused on excellence, on meaning, on beauty.
I embraced change. I worked hard. I took time to contemplate.
I strive to be useful. To keep the fire alive.
To see the world with wonder, not cynicism.
I’ve tried to be generous. To listen more.
To invest in myself and others.
I’ve taken risks. Made mistakes.
Hurt people I cared about.
Forgave and asked for forgiveness.
And grew through it all.
A new chapter
This is the path I’m on now.
It’s not always comfortable, but it’s real.
It’s challenging. It’s exciting. It’s mine.
I walk it with no regrets. No guilt.
Just gratitude.
If you’ve read this far, thank you.
This post is high-level, a comeback after a long silence.
There’s more to say, and I’ll try to share it, bit by bit.
I’m back. And I’m just getting started.