A Quiet Day in Bali Changed How I See Myself

Posted on July 20, 2026

A day dedicated to introspection and self-discovery.

It's been a while since I last published anything on my website. A lot has changed in my life since then. Moving back to Portugal, starting a new job, training for triathlons, and studying for RYA. I haven't made enough time to keep writing. I wrote this piece while I was in Bali on March 25, 2020, during Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence. Nyepi marks the Balinese New Year and falls on the first new moon of spring. During this day, people refrain from entertainment, travel, and work. It's dedicated to self-reflection, fasting and meditation. The silence gave me the space to reflect on my life and the person I was becoming.

I was born to humble parents who were university students at the time. My father studied medicine, and my mother focused on nutrition. We moved to a quieter, mainland part of the city when I was still very young. It was there that I formed my first friendships. I had two friends, we lived in the same building and spent our days playing together. The school I attended was quite alternative; it offered us a lot of freedom. We climbed trees and picked fruits - it was a very nature-oriented environment.

Being small for my age, I often found myself to be the smallest in my class, but I didn't mind much. After my brother was born, we moved again. This time to a beach-side house on one of the southernmost beaches of the island, Praia dos Açores. It was a peaceful and quiet place, surrounded by nature. At my new school, I was shy and struggled with making friends at first. The school was far from home, so I had to wake up early to catch a ride with my father. He would drop me off on his way to work. We would sometimes stop to watch the sunrise over the ocean on the way to commute. A moment of calm before the start of a busy day.

In the afternoons, I would take the bus back, arriving for a late lunch. At home, I had the freedom to explore my surroundings on my bike. The quiet streets and open spaces allowed me to venture out to the beach. Where I would often sit to watch the waves or chat with older locals. It was during this time that I started surfing, a passion that has stayed with me ever since.

As I grew older, my family moved once again, this time to downtown. The new building was lively, there was a football field, a swimming pool, and barbecue areas. It was a great place for a teenager, and I made many new friends. Around this time, my father's career took a significant step forward. This allowed our family to travel more and enjoy better economic conditions. I graduated from high school, but my attempt to get into university was unsuccessful.

Determined, I spent the next year studying. I got into the Federal University of Santa Catarina to study Computer Science. I had always been good at math and physics, and the growing field of technology fascinated me.

During my time at university, I had the opportunity to study English in Australia. It was my first time living away from home and in a foreign country. The experience was life-changing. I found a job as a delivery driver at Domino's Pizza on Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast. It was my first job, and I adapted to the routine. Working there allowed me to save some money and spend my free time surfing.

My parents wanted me to return to Brazil to continue my studies. Despite the fun and independence I was experiencing, I knew they were right. But before heading back, I decided to travel to Bali, Indonesia, with no plans and no place to stay. It was a paradise of surfing and new experiences. I met a lot of people, discovered new places, and experienced a different culture. Upon returning to Australia, my friends were eager to hear about my adventures. I decided to extend my travels by spending ten days in New Zealand before going back home. I did skydiving and bungee jumping. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone, leaving me with an adrenaline rush.

Returning to university after my travels was a shock. The routine felt suffocating, and I found myself unmotivated. My experiences abroad had changed me, though I wasn't sure how. Some of my friends noticed the difference too. Back at home, I continued surfing and going out, but university no longer felt like the right path for me. The theoretical focus of my studies seemed disconnected from practical, real-world applications.

Then, another opportunity for travel arose. This time to Norden, California, to work at Donner Ski Ranch as a lift operator. It was my first time seeing snow, and the experience was eye-opening. I loved my time in California. At the end of the season, two friends and I rented an RV and drove down the California coast. I returned to Brazil with a different outlook on life, ready to focus on my education and future career. I started reading more, looking into different fields, and expanding my knowledge.

While I was reflecting on my life and future, a friend suggested becoming a lifeguard. I was skeptical. I tend to doubt things until I experience it myself, but after some consideration, I decided to give it a shot. I took the tests and I got into the lifeguard training course. The course, led by the Military Firefighters Corps, was challenging yet invigorating. It required a lot of discipline and focus. I found myself enjoying it and aligned with my passion for the ocean.

At the same time, things at the university had reached a critical point. I had to pass certain courses to remain enrolled, but I had lost much of my motivation. I got expelled from the university, which was a difficult moment. I soon found work as a lifeguard during the summer at the beach. I moved into my parents' beach house and found a new sense of independence. Living alone and figuring out my next steps.

During this period, I spent a lot of time reading and educating myself. Books became my companions, helping me develop new perspectives on life. I was trying to understand what direction I wanted to take, and how I would explain my decisions to my parents.

An exciting opportunity came up. I heard about the possibility of working as a lifeguard in Portugal. Already familiar with living abroad, I knew this was the next step for me. It was time to leave my parents' house and forge my own path. I loved being a lifeguard. Working in Portugal seemed a great way to combine my passion for the ocean with a new adventure.

During my first season in Portugal, I focused on lifeguarding and surfing. I enjoyed the experience but found it difficult to secure a job once the season ended. So, I returned to Brazil, uncertain but not defeated. The second time I went back to Portugal, I had a clearer focus. I knew I needed to work year-round and create financial stability for myself. At the end of the season, I found a job at the Red Cross as part of an ambulance crew.

Working for the Red Cross was life-changing. It gave me confidence in handling emergencies, and the work was rewarding. I met many new people and formed a solid network, which helped me grow. I continued to invest in myself during this time. I took lifeguard training modules and earned my yachtsman's license. I was looking for ways to improve, and I felt proud of how far I had come.

Now, I'm considering branching out further. I've been thinking about exploring remote work opportunities, in design or development. The idea of freelancing appeals to me because it offers freedom of time, space, and creativity. I could continue working in roles I enjoy, while building streams of income. It's a balance I want to strike: doing work I love while maintaining a flexible lifestyle.

As I reflect on my journey, I realize how each experience has shaped who I am today. I've learned the value of independence and autonomy. The importance of discipline and the power of self-education. There have been challenges along the way, but every step has brought me to understanding what I want in life. A balance between adventure, self-discovery, and purposeful work.

And now, as I stand on the brink of yet another new chapter, I'm ready for whatever comes next. Whether it's exploring new ways to work or finding more opportunities to travel and surf. I know I'll continue to grow and evolve. Life, after all, is about continuous learning, and I'm excited to see where it takes me.

Since then, I've kept the habit of journaling. It feels good to see how I changed over time. Reading these words six years later reminds me how much I've changed. My perspective on life is different now, and I'm grateful for every experience that has shaped me. Looking back helps me appreciate how far I've come—and reminds me that it's time to begin another chapter.