It has been one year since I returned from an incredible experience in India. What has changed? People often ask me these questions, and honestly, I ask myself the same. I like to do my “check-ins” occasionally to see the results. Here’s what I’ve found.

Higher Levels of Happiness and Contentment

This is a big one—and my favorite! Of course, happiness is subjective, but I had a way to track it.

In 2020, I wasn’t doing well, and the pandemic only made things worse. I felt overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted most of the time. I realized that if I didn’t make changes, things could spiral. That’s one of the reasons I started meditating daily. Along with meditation, I got an almanac, and at the end of each day, I would draw a face representing how I felt and then reflect on what triggered that emotion. After a few years, I stopped drawing the faces but kept the habit of checking in with myself—writing down the bad days and leaving the good ones blank.

The results in 2024 were astonishing: the number of “bad days” had significantly decreased compared to previous years. My economist husband would say, “That’s not a clean comparison because many factors changed besides going to India,” and he’s right. But one thing hasn’t changed—he still doesn’t wash the dishes when it’s his turn, and somehow, I’ve become more chill about it (right, JP? lol!).

I’ve always considered myself a positive person who sees the glass as half full and falls in love easily—with experiences, places, and food. But this past year, that feeling intensified. I often felt like I was on a psychedelic trip—amazed by everything around me—and I hope that feeling lasts for a long time.

Teaching Meditation to Friends and Family

I had done volunteer work before, but it had been a while since I was engaged with any organization. I wanted to volunteer in a way that allowed me to share my knowledge, so I started offering meditation classes to friends and family. Even though I wouldn’t call myself an expert (though Gurú Barreto has a nice ring to it), I wanted to share what I had learned with those curious about meditation.

To my surprise, my parents and close relatives have consistently joined the weekly online classes. At first, I thought they just wanted to support me (“Poor Caro, no one is going to show up—let’s join”), but eventually, they told me they genuinely enjoyed them. One of my aunts even said it’s one of her favorite weekend activities. Others have mentioned that breathing techniques help them manage stress.

I always look for impact in everything I do, and I’m happy knowing that these classes create a space for relaxation—and hopefully, happiness—for my loved ones.

(You’re welcome to join too!)

Cutting Back on Social Media

Social media is a great tool for sharing knowledge, staying connected, and engaging with friends and colleagues. However, during my mini-sabbatical, I did a four-month social media detox, which felt great.

Last year, I also implemented some time management techniques to be more efficient. The first step was drastically reducing my social media usage. During this period, I tracked how I spent my time (my phone’s screen-time feature helped a lot!).

The results were pretty good—at least for what I expected. I could read more and longer documents for work and even catch up on some novels. On the downside, I felt less connected and experienced FOMO (fear of missing out) from not keeping up with social media. This year, I plan to be more connected—but in a balanced way.

Becoming a Freelancer and Digital Nomad

This was the biggest change. I wanted to explore new possibilities and experiment with different ways to work in sustainable finance. And it turned out to be an amazing experience!

I had the opportunity to support various consulting firms as a Sustainable Finance Specialist, helping them with their clients. The best part? I had to learn a lot. In corporate jobs, administrative tasks take up so much time that they often overshadow actual work. As a freelancer, I had fewer distractions and could focus on projects. I also met new people and worked with teams from different countries and backgrounds, which I really enjoyed.

This experience also allowed me to travel while working—but not necessarily for work. While the flexibility was fantastic, I was constantly tired and found it hard to concentrate in the trendy little coffee shops where new generations work. I missed my quiet and cozy home office. I’ll try the digital nomad life again this year, but with some adjustments. If it doesn’t work… well, maybe I’m too old! 

The Big Question: Can Freelancing Pay the Bills?

I gave myself one year to see if freelancing could be financially sustainable. I’m a few months away from that deadline, and I can’t complain. The biggest challenge? Cash flow. Most clients pay three or four months after a project starts, which requires careful financial planning. Let’s see how things unfold.

What’s Next

On the one hand, I loved how last year turned out, and I want to refine what worked while eliminating what didn’t. On the other hand, I want to dedicate more time to new project ideas. Last year, I struggled to find the time—even with all my time-management strategies. It happens—.

Let’s see where this journey goes!

Ps The photos are from some places I visited as a digital nomad last year.

A bientôt