EFFORTLESS.

Yesterday while brushing my teeth I was looking in the mirror and I realized how dark brown I got. I haven’t noticed it at all. But with the white towel wrapped around me and the light hitting my body perfectly I looked really brown. Also I realized that I got more shredded. But from what? I didn’t really prioritize fat loss, or getting a nice tan, or whatever.

And while brushing my teeth my mind started to rattle. I had to get my phone to write down some notes so I could write this story.

The main thing that hit me and made me think about it for the rest of the evening was that everything was so damn effortless. Just a byproduct, not forced, not wanted, just in flow.

I know this may sound shallow and not worth a story, but for me it is. Because it reflects what I think me and a lot of you are struggling with - flowing effortlessly through life.

Look, for example, if I would have arrived in Bali with the mindset of getting tanned or shredded and would force everything to achieve that, like laying the sun, turning every 15mins like a burger patty and only prioritizing salads to get shredded, it would also work out, but it would be forced. At least thats how I feel.

For me, being tanned and shredded is just a byproduct of living my life, of playing althina (brazilian football) at the beach everyday after 5PM with friends and new people I meet every single day.

The main goal is to enjoy, to pursue my passion and not to get tanned or shredded. Very simple and shallow thoughts, right? No. Think about it more. Reflect on your life.

Why don’t you get in shape? Why does it seem so hard? Because you are forcing yourself to do something that doesn’t align with who you are.

But then again, just doing what we want is also not the solution, we need discipline, overcome resistance both physically and mentally.

Let’s stay with the simple thought of getting tanned or shredded for a second to analyze my theory.

If you prioritize activities that bring you joy (for e.g. playing football) and the byproduct of that is your desire (being shredded) - Prioritize your passion (for me photography) and the results (good photographs & stories) are just the byproduct. This is how I think you win in life.

At home I did everything to be in shape, tracked my food, went for long runs and walks, but I freaking hate running, and it’s not like - let’s still go for a run because David Goggins says we should get out of our comfort zone. It’s more like the gym, laying on benches for an hour - just a waste of time if I’m completely honest. But if I see it as something that will strengthen my muscles so I can still move at a high age, the gym or a fit body is again just the byproduct. You get my point? Just a shift of mindset or a shift of lifestyle.

If I go running just to burn fat, for me it makes no sense. If I can burn more calories playing soccer with friends or teammates, making connections and actually living out my passion than just run the same route everyday for an hour by myself.

Maybe I also have a false view on things. Running clears the mind, the gym clears the mind, etc.

My point is, why not doing something that truly makes you happy, brings you joy and the byproduct of it is the same, as it would be if you do something only for the outcome or result.

Same with photography and these stories. Why am I doing it? For you guys that read it? No - But to increase my skills in photography and storytelling. And who ever reads it or enjoys it is just the byproduct of what I would do anyways.

Again, I have to find a way that brings me joy and satisfaction and where good pictures and stories are just the byproduct. If I would focus so hard on getting good pictures and stories, I would interfere with the flow of life.

The best photographs I took, the best stories I wrote in my opionion are the ones that are not forced. The ones that were just the byproduct of an amazing experience, or interaction.

The one thing that I stressed a couple of times during this and other stories, is that your desired outcome should be a natural byproduct of what you do anyways.

Like this you will be in the flow state and your desired outcome will be exceeded by the laws of the universe - because you are not forcing it, not wanting, no attachment. You are letting go and with letting go, you attract everything.