This text was finalized while listening to this music.
This month, we bring you a powerful reflection from our Partner, Nuno Santos Fernandes, about what really matters in life.
Do you know what is most important to you?
In the majority of Walking Mentorship programs, we have this invitation: clarify, for yourself, what is most important. We invite each participant to list what is most important to them, ensuring that they write it down in order of importance, meaning there can only be one number one.
This should be a simple enough exercise, and for me, who has done it many, many times, should come without trouble. For many years, it was undoubtedly my family – my wife and kids.
However, recently life forced me to rethink this in a profound way.
At the end of 2023, I suddenly fell into an anxious depressive crisis. The signals had been piling up for many years, possibly decades. But still, I always believed I could handle a little more, I was strong enough.
And so, to my surprise, one morning I woke up feeling deeply pessimistic and anxious to the point that I didn’t sleep for almost a month and my mind wouldn’t stop worrying and feeling desperate about the future.
This happened on the 23rd December 2023, a perfect timing : (
During this crisis, I could only handle basic tasks, such as cooking or driving, and was unable to decide the most basic things. I felt I was in a never-ending nightmare that I never woke up from.
It was torture, but what really broke my heart was how this impacted my wife, my kids, my loved ones.
This was not only my problem, it harmed all my family and loved ones in a way that I found unbearable.
To be totally honest, I had great support from my psychiatrist and psychologist, and I had a fast recovery, and despite my familiarity with the theme of mental health and being involved in fighting mental health stigma, I struggled to accept I had to see a psychiatrist, and at the time, only did it for the sake of my wife and kids, which allows me now to talk about this without feeling ashamed or distraught.
So, what is most important?
Each one has for sure his/her own answer, but what I take from this experience is that the most important thing is taking care of myself – I must put on my oxygen mask first if I want to be able to care for others.
It is not that my family became less important; it is just that I realised the best I can do for my family is to take care of myself, so I can be here for them and they can benefit from and enjoy my presence.
I know this can seem obvious to some, and it is clear to me now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle in acting on it.
It is hard to say no and to prioritise myself. It rubs against my grain. It is uncomfortable and feels selfish and petty.
So, I not only need to recognise it but also to incorporate it into my daily habits. Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge that I am what is most important.
So, again, I have something really important to walk for – and with every step I make progress.
If you feel there is something in your life you need to clarify or changes that you need to commit to, check out our upcoming programs – it might be the right time to join us!
In the meantime, keep walking with us🚶♂️ changing the world one person at a time, one step at a time.
Are you ready to embark on one of our journeys?
If you think it is about time to take yourself for a walk, we invite you to join one of our carefully designed upcoming programs 👇
🔹 Destination you – Camino | Spain: [26 April-3 May] Start here
🔹 Parents & Kids – Coast of Galicia | Spain: [19-26 July] Start here
🔹 Destination you – via Francigena | Swiss Alps: [23-30 August 2025] Start here
🔹 Camino de Berobreo – Coastal Route | Spain: [6-13 September] Start here
🔹 Slow Down – Sardinia | Italy: [5-7 October] Start here
🔹 Year-End (Walking Mentorship Alumni only) – Algarve | Portugal: [11-14 December] Start here
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What have we been doing?
While we are trying to catch up with the final videos from our latest programs (we will get there sometime in April) we share with you some visual highlights of such incredible experiences.
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How can we walk together?
Walking Mentorship is a labor of love that helps you gain deeper insight and equips you to create a meaningful impact on your life and those around you.
How can we work together? We keep things simple by offering, Individual, Group and Corporate programs. Find the best fit for you and book a call with one of our mentors.
Until then, keep walking with me,
