Welcome to my Newsletter

In today's newsletter you will find:

• A welcome message

• A reflection from my last adventure

• A video recommendation

A welcome message

Writing a newsletter can be overwhelming and intimidating. There's an endless list of "must-dos" to gain subscribers, that I have spent months thinking on what's the best way to start. I found myself waiting for the perfect idea, the perfect moment. But truth be told, there's no such thing as perfection. The best way to start? Well, it's simple: face the blank page and start typing, one word after another. It may sound obvious, but the only way to overcome fear is by taking action.

So, here we are.

Welcome to my newsletter, and thank you for being here. I hope we can enjoy the journey together, learning and growing along the way. If you have any questions or feedback, please send me an email at hello@aitanaforcen.com.

A reflection from my last adventure

I've just returned from a six-week stint as a polar guide in Antarctica. After enduring an exceptionally challenging 18 months at work since relocating from New Zealand to Europe, this experience felt like a breath of fresh air (no pun intended :)). Now back at home, I find myself pondering the profound impact our environment has on our thoughts, actions, and behaviors. It's remarkable how easily we slip back into a "normal routine" that keeps us within our comfort zones, draining us of the energy to do thing differently.

This reflection has led me to consider the daunting question of whether I am strong enough to resist the influence of my surroundings. I already know the answer, though. The recurring fear of succumbing to the environment around me has prompted thoughts of relocating once more. If I find myself unable to maintain my individuality and sustain a lifestyle that brings me joy, perhaps it's time to bravely seek out, once more, a more nurturing space.

A video recommendation

I watched the documentary a couple of days ago and it resonated so much with the reflection above (you can read the whole reflection here). To be completely honest I have conflicting feelings about doing an Ironman in Antarctica (the same as I have conflicting feelings about tourism in Antarctica, but that is another discussion for another newsletter). But the opening statement of the documentary hit me like a rock:

Everybody questions when you do something that nobody else are doing; nobody questions when you are doing what everybody else are doing.