Six ways to shock Your brain and become Greater
One of the most treasured memories of my life is the first time I traveled alone. At 21, I embarked on a one-day trip to Rome for some paperwork. It's astonishing how a single day can transform your life completely. I encountered various serendipitous moments and intense emotions, experiencing a level of fear and solitude I had never known before. The eight-hour night bus journey, leaving my hometown with only myself for company, was a pivotal journey to an identity shift. It taught me the profound importance of challenging your mind to unlock a new, improved version of yourself. There is no doubt that there is immense beauty in embracing change and striving for greatness.
Throughout my life I have collected few ways to shock your brain to embrace the path of change and identity shift:
Create Art
At the age of 20, I began teaching myself to play the piano using a 66-key keyboard borrowed from a university peer. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I started by learning my favorite melody, "Nuvole Bianche" by Ludovico Einaudi, in its simplest form. Gradually, I increased the piece's complexity until I could play the original version flawlessly. Now, I can improvise, compose, and even perform classical pieces like Vivaldi’s "Winter" from The Four Seasons and Chopin’s Waltz Op. 64 No. 1 and No. 2. The piano has opened a door within my soul, allowing me to perceive the world through a new lens. It has led to more engaging conversations with people and a deeper appreciation for music, especially good music.
Sensory Deprivation
Fasting is a powerful tool to reset your health and completely transform your well-being. Interestingly, after fasting for more than 17 hours, your body enters a state called autophagy, where it begins to heal itself. The initial days of fasting can be challenging, as you deprive yourself of the dopamine boost that comes from food. However, the more you practice fasting, the easier it becomes.
Travel to Multiple Places in a Short Time:
Traveling to various destinations in a short span is my absolute favorite thing to do. I’d trade food or wealth for it—though I'm joking about trading my sister. Sorry, sissy! I remember a time when I traveled to six different cities in eight days. I took a train from Paris to Brussels, then Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Prague, and finally Vienna. And no, I wasn't being followed by the government if that's what you’re thinking. It was like being at a buffet with so many delicious choices that you end up wanting them all. I managed to visit all those cities, but I paid the price with exhaustion and a nosebleed. I had to extend my stay in Vienna three times because my body was rebelling against my ambitious itinerary. Fortunately, I had great roommates at the hostel, so I was in good hands.
Physical Exercise
This speaks for itself. There’s no need to bring up the infinite proofs on the benefits of working out.
Learn a New Skill or Language
Following my trip to North Macedonia this year, I decided to learn Macedonian. My frustration with not being able to read the ads written in Cyrillic motivated me to start. After teaching myself the alphabet, I fell in love with the language.
Walking
I'm not talking about walking while listening to music. I mean the pure, undistracted act of walking, where you fully engage with the sounds of the world around you—ideally, in nature—and the noise of your own thoughts. No distractions. It's becoming increasingly rare to spend time with our own thoughts without turning to music, podcasts, or other diversions. Many brilliant minds, like Albert Einstein, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Friedrich Nietzsche, were known for their walking habits. Walking stimulates the brain and sparks inspiration, making it a powerful activity for creativity and reflection.
Feel free to start
with the one that seems
the easiest for you
to guarantee results.
