005 Channel Your Rhythms

Note: It’s been a while since I posted on here. I had this draft that I wrote in mid-august, but never got around to publishing it. I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately which has affected my writing practices. Reading this draft two months later… it feels like a very timely note to self :)

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I’m currently sitting at a coffee shop in Zürich, Switzerland. A lovely, bright city with $8 coffees.

I took the leap to go to head to Europe on a one-way flight with the intention of living a more globally rooted life. I took a quick two day stop in Dublin on my way in to stay with my aunt and spend some brief time with family that lives there. I brought a small duffel bag of basic clothes and a backpack full of cameras, a couple journals and a laptop. Everything else I own is either in a storage unit or in some boxes at my parent’s house.

I’m not sure exactly what this will look like for me (how could I!?) but I do know traveling through different cities, setting up infrastructure for work and personal life, and learning about other cultures energizes me. Growing up in the US, born to immigrant parents, I have always felt like a global citizen (and on paper, I am a US and Irish, which qualifies for EU, citizen) creating a deep connection and curiosity for the diverse world we live.

I sort of flew here with zero plans and my family thinks that is a bit crazy, because everyone tends to ask what you’re plan is when you set off to travel. I’m well traveled. In fact, i’ve traveled to 31 countries and counting… and the funny thing is having less plans has always treated me better across the board. Sure, it’s good to know a general direction of where you’re going, but the fun is in the unknown and unexpected.

The main difference about this new chapter is that I don’t really have a plan to go back to ‘home.’ On all those previous trips, I had gone back to some home that I was living at - hometown of Seattle, Orange CA (college era) or Los Angeles. First of all, now I don’t have a lease anywhere so there’s really no physical place to go back to And this time I fully believe that life doesn’t have to be so bound to one place. I find the world is too big and interesting to live that way.

Traveling makes me feel most alive. Each day is novel and full. Embracing discomfort is the norm. I can live like a wandering bum but feel rich in experience and perspective. And in reality, traveling to other places outside of the US (aside from Switzerland lol and a few others) things tend to be cheaper anyways.

I’m meeting up with some friends on Monday, where we will begin to train around Switzerland exploring the surrounding towns - Luzern, Interlaken, etc.

If you’ve been putting off taking a leap of faith, perhaps ask yourself if you could start the jump now? It’s beautiful what happens once you start.

— Andres

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Area of thought to consider

CHANNEL YOUR RHYTHM

Should we show up every day or hour or week to our good habits because ‘we’re supposed to?’ even if it’s draining or only when it feels ‘right’ and energizing?

Showing up out of discipline can create good practices, but it can feel unsustainable at times. And showing up only when it feels energizing can lead to great performance and results, but also can fall into waiting for things to align perfectly to get started. Both can stall progress or even prevent you from starting, which takes away from what you might of actually set out to do - write once a week, workout x amount of times around a certain schedule, work on that side project, etc.

Instead of thinking in a disciplined, linearly manner or too loose on when and where, attune with your rhythms for whatever is present.

When we think of a river, at one point it may be a class 4 rapid, full of powerful energy. And at other sections it may twist and turn and become a mellow, calm flow. It’s the same river, but has different rhythms throughout. And most importantly, it keeps flowing.

Sometimes our habits and projects are like this too. One week, we have the energy to hit 4 workouts a week, eat healthy and mindfully every meal, show up to and work on our meaningful projects. But the next, perhaps we don’t feel the energy to perform at the same intensity or perhaps our attention and curiosity drifts elsewhere. We may need some time to step away and not feel bound to ‘having to do’ those things, which in turn could allow rest, recharge or new doors and perspectives to open.

Attune to your rhythm. Listen to it. Feel it. Don’t become stagnant.

It takes more courage to truly follow your rhythm, so don’t be discouraged if it takes time to do so.

Let it slow. Let is speed up. Let it flow.

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Quote to ponder

“Who wouldn’t travel if they could? It’s unthinkable to me, who wouldn’t want to enjoy different, new sensations, especially when the world is filled with so much great stuff. I like new things. I like to feel good. I like learning about stuff. It makes me happy. I like being wrong about stuff.” - Anthony Bourdain

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Something to try

Don’t use your phone for the first hour of they day, other than alarms or for guided meditation (if you like to use an app or audio recording). If you like how that makes you feel, try using an analog alarm and non guided meditation to omit all phone usage in that first hour.

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Links to Explore

🖼️ The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish and European art. It is located in the centre of Dublin with one entrance on Merrion Square, beside Leinster House, and another on Clare Street. It was founded in 1854 and opened its doors ten years later. My favorite pieces I saw from a recent visit are The Sunshade by William John Leech and The Terrace, Saint-Tropez by Paul Signac.

📍 Been App. Create a map of all the countries you have visited or share a list with your friend

🌄 Mount Rainier National Park, a 369-sq.-mile Washington state reserve southeast of Seattle, surrounds glacier-capped, 14,410-ft. Mount Rainier. Atop 6,400-ft.-high Sunrise, the highest point in the park reachable by car, visitors can admire Rainier and other nearby volcanoes, including Mount Adams. The park’s 5,400-ft.-high Paradise overlook offers mountain views, summertime wildflower meadows and hiking trailheads.

🚞 Eurail Pass. A Global Pass can take you to over 30,000 destinations across Europe. It's flexible, so you can map out your route in advance or simply decide on the day – you choose.

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Thanks for reading!

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