What a crazy year 2025 was for me. A difficult, yet organized and predictable first semester, followed by a completely crazy and exhausting second semester that felt like two weeks, as it went by so fast. Because of all this, this New Year’s Eve was a real end of a cycle for me, completely different from the last years.
This way, I really enjoyed the end of the year, because a good ending should never be wasted. These are moments when things become clearer, where it’s easier to reinforce a wish/learning, as well as introduce new things into our lives. So, I’m sharing here what I want for 2026 – things that have been popping up in my head and that I’ve been waiting for a good moment to commit to myself.
Also, these points I am sharing here are related to some lessons(Polarity and Rhythm) from a book that was very important to me in 2025, The Kybalion. It was a recommendation by my friend Felipe, from Aldeia Zen. I do not doubt that getting to know the people from Aldeia was one of the biggest gifts 2025 gave me.
If anything makes sense to you, too, don’t be shy about sending me a message on Instagram or an email (me at marcelioleal.com) as the Incas used to do.
- Do more of what I want (Exploration)
At the end of the year, I did something I always wanted, I went jumping from place to place, enjoying a little bit in each spot, and bringing an immense energy from the friends I met on this journey.
From Belém to Maceió, 5 states, 4 distinct celebrations, and more than 100 friends with whom I had the opportunity to spend at least 2 intense and profound days. It was incredible in every way.
This year, I just have to maintain this. If my intuition tells me it will be good, I need to find a way to make it happen.
- Deepen what makes me mentally well (Explotation)
2025 was incredible in terms of getting to know myself, but tough. Not this year, right? Total focus on not putting myself in situations where I need to think too much. It seems easy, but it’s not, and I still hope it is. The only thing I’m sure of is that it will be much more delightful(pt-br words seem to be more appropriate – delicioso/gostoso).
- Explore new things and evolve in what makes me physically well (Exploration)
In the last part of the year, I started testing several things related to my physical well-being, believing more in what my body shows and less in theory. From fasting, through different workouts, to cutting out foods that make me “sick,” everything seemed to make a lot of sense. Now it’s time to continue testing new things. There’s still a lot of room for improvement in this part of my life, and I’m excited to see the impact of these experiments.
- Deepen the relationships that make me well (Exploitation)
Since June 2023, I put myself in a cycle of exploration, which made me explore many things in a very open way with two main objectives: to know myself, and to meet people who were not close to my cycles.
I can’t say it was always comfortable and pleasurable; in fact, it was hyper challenging, most of the time uncomfortable, and rarely pleasurable. But the result was incredible, just from the friends and experiences I had, I could write a little book that would even be interesting.
Now, the pendulum is swinging to the other side. My goal is to deepen what worked, what makes me well, and what I know. So it will be a period of more no’s, going to a few things, and being close to a smaller number of people. Less discomfort, more guarantee of good energy.
- Get back to focusing on my passions (Exploration)
I always complained that I didn’t have time to pursue my passions outside of work; that’s over. This year, I’m already putting into practice at least 3 things that had been stuck for the last few years. How good it is to see (again) that more work outside of work(my passions) gives me more energy and not less.
- Intentionally contribute to the universe
Until my move to Berlin (2019), I was always doing something to give back a little of the much that I gain from the universe. But moving out of the country, then the pandemic, and my moment in life made me greatly decrease my effort in this aspect.
Here, I still don’t know what I’m going to do, but I just know that I will. Furthermore, Burning Man taught me that I have to give back to the universe with actions that are natural for me, things that I am good at, and that don’t weigh on me. Now it’s very clear to me that it’s also not with the skills that pay my bills, something I always used.
- Be less critical
My personality leads me to be critical of everything, especially of myself. Even though many times this critical view only serves to make little jokes, I recently realized that sometimes this can inadvertently radiate negative thoughts and energies. That is, the practice of not complaining is not enough; I need to be less critical in various situations, especially when there are people around who don’t know me deeply.
- Prioritize everything smaller, everything that is more organic, more artisanal
Small is better! From celebrations, trips, and parties to food, events, and wines.
Before the haters charge me, yes, wine on this list is a novelty that appeared on the first weekend of the year, two days ago, so to speak.
- Fine adjustments
A series of things deserve a fine adjustment, such as:
More (++++++++)
- Art events
- Brunches
- Going out during the week
- Sleeping with a book
Less (——–)
- Weekly and daily coffee portions
- Going out on Fridays
- Sleeping with a cell phone
10. Music
Music deserved a separate session just to say that even with a lot in 2025, there will be more in 2026. It’s unbelievable how much this does me good. And if they ask me why I prioritized music and forgot a friend, my answer will always be (in pt-br to make it easier to connect the dots) – “É meu estilo de vida”.
May 2026 be a great year for you, my friends!
Happy New Year!
PS.: Talking about believing deeply in intuition and energy is still strange to me. A whole life based on mathematical thinking 🙂
