2020: The Pause That Made Us Listen
Echoes from 2021, carried into this new space of reflection.
The year 2020 was undeniably historic and deeply challenging. Among its countless consequences — many of them painful — it at least brought a rare opportunity: to reconsider our relationship with silence and time.
Social silence arose from social distancing.
And our experience of time was profoundly shaken.
In some ways, it felt like nothing happened. In others, it felt like everything changed.
Some days seemed endless, yet in a blink we were already in 2021.
For the first time, all of humanity shared an experience that, at the very least, forced us to encounter solitude.
It gave us a chance to embrace silence and reflect on how we use our time.
Personally, I spent much of that year in silence. In the midst of so much complexity and suffering, I chose to stay quiet and reflect. It was through silence and time that I came to understand myself more deeply, my consciousness, my sense of citizenship. Fully aware of my imperfections, I also became clearer about my vulnerabilities. And paradoxically, I found strength in what many say we’ve lost: our humanity.
The understanding that it is language, consciousness, and citizenship that make us human became more vivid than ever.
Starting in 2016, I made a radical change in my career. After years of feeling disconnected from my core values, I shifted paths and aligned my professional choices with what I truly believe. I immersed myself in sustainability and impact-driven initiatives, experiencing opportunities that took me from Brazil to the world.
I participated in meetings and discussions convened by organizations like the UN, the World Economic Forum, and several of the world’s most respected universities. I learned a great deal from these experiences, but I also witnessed firsthand how often these institutions can be flawed, disconnected, and distant from the harsh realities faced by most people. Along the way, nevertheless, I met remarkable individuals shaping the critical debates of our time: on climate change, social justice, and beyond.
Looking back, I can only say this: the more I study these subjects, the more passionate I become about knowledge, and the more aware I am of my own contradictions. But by recognizing them, I can recalibrate my path and strive for greater coherence…walking the talk, even if imperfectly.
After years of collecting experiences, scribbling book notes, reflecting on podcasts, engaging in meaningful conversations, and learning plenty through hard work, I decided to share some of these reflections in a way that feels short, accessible, and, I hope, occasionally light-hearted. A personal lens on a world that’s changing fast.
My hope is for this space to go beyond the usual circles and reach people from all walks of life.
Through these reflections, I want to explore themes that touch daily life, nudging readers to pause, question themselves, and reflect on the small, often overlooked things that shape our existence.
Above all, I hope this becomes a space for exchange, where I can share reflections and also learn from your experiences and perspectives.