Wander Log - From Solitude to Strength - Santa Catarina, Brazil

This new chapter began in Paulo Lopes, a small town nestled in the state of Santa Catarina. It was here that I decided to settle for a month, although I initially planned to stay only ten days. The goal? To breathe life into my association, shape its identity, launch my blog, and reflect on how my three projects — my association Racines & Voyage, my blog Wanderoots Lab, and my autobiography Alaya — interconnect, complement, and enrich one another. At the same time, I needed to lay the groundwork for economic sustainability to continue this journey uncompromisingly.

A much-needed recharge after intense months

The three weeks before my departure to Brazil had been exhausting. Between emotional reunions with loved ones I hadn’t seen in a decade, heartfelt goodbyes, and the launch of my projects, I felt carried by a wave of inspiration and sharing. These exchanges nourished me. Giving the best of myself is an experience that, paradoxically, also fills me. Inspiring and being inspired, shining and radiating to share my light — these are pillars of my balance. But these intense periods must be balanced with moments of deep solitude to reconnect with myself.

Upon arriving here, despite being surrounded by the kindness of my friend Helen, I found myself alone most of the time. This solitude gave me the opportunity to establish a routine of sports and renewal. I immersed myself in boxing, capoeira, yoga, and weight training under the Brazilian sun. For me, these activities aren’t just physical — they’re a remedy for the loud and incessant thoughts of an overactive mind. Without exercise, I feel off-balance, unwell. And after several months without intense activity, I rediscovered here a rhythm that does me good.

A place brimming with inspiration

Helen’s land, 33 hectares of preserved jungle, is a true laboratory of eco-sustainability and community. Edible forests, water management, biodiversity — every element embodies a resilient and sustainable vision. In this setting, I found a space where time belongs to me. A luxury I hadn’t tasted since the theft of my yurt and the loss of my forest lab. The fear of having “too much time” quickly gave way to a surge of creativity.

My daily life here was punctuated by precious moments: encountering a majestic snake, which for me symbolizes inner transformation, and a writing routine where I laid the foundations of my projects. My association, rejected during its first administrative attempt, required rewriting its statutes — a task I had been dreading. But this time allowed me to reclaim the necessary steps for its development.

Work as a mirror of life

Through these reflections, I confronted an essential idea: our profession and work choices shape our entire lives. We spend a third of our existence working, not to mention the time we spend thinking about it. If what we do isn’t aligned with our values or deepest aspirations, it becomes an overwhelming burden. Work is more than just a means of subsistence. It’s a quest for meaning, a way of being in the world. That’s why I decided that my projects wouldn’t just be “jobs”; they would be the expression of my light, my energy, and my determination to transform pain and resilience into strength and inspiration.

A balance between comfort and preparation

I stayed a month at Terra Nova, savoring the magic of the place and working intensely on my projects. However, a significant event reminded me that comfort is never a destination. A dog attack, which occurred during a walk with my friend’s dogs, left me injured and prompted me to reassess my mental and physical preparation for the challenges ahead. This experience also pushed me to leave this small paradise and continue my journey into Brazil’s interior, notably to the Iguazu Falls.

Life’s Challenges and Hidden Lessons

The journey of life often unfolds like a winding trail, filled with unexpected challenges and beautiful discoveries. As I explore the serene landscapes of Southern Brazil, I am reminded that every step, whether steady or hesitant, is part of a larger narrative. These rolling hills, dense forests, and diverse ecosystems reflect life’s duality: moments of calm intertwined with storms.

But even amid this peace, I feel the weight of an inner struggle—a lingering shadow from past traumas. Walking alone in nature, I often find fear resurfacing, rooted in experiences I wish I could forget. My time in Mongolia, and other difficult moments, left deep marks. I feel this fear in my belly, an ache in my back, as though my body carries the memories of vulnerability and uncertainty. It’s a constant battle to acknowledge these emotions, to face them rather than let them consume me.

Healing is a long and winding path, one that requires immense courage and patience. I know my journey is far from over—I still have much to learn, much to understand about myself and the world around me. But despite the fear, despite the struggles, I refuse to give up. I hold my head high, step by step, finding strength in resilience and hope in the beauty of the world.

Every journey has its lessons, and nature is perhaps the greatest teacher. It reminds me to persevere, to adapt, and to embrace life in all its complexity.