From Stressed to Serene: A Journey of Starting a New Life in Paradise
Alex Afonso (Herege) is a true testament to the power of following your dreams. Despite being successful in his previous life as a key creator of the website Playocean, responsible for all the content related to the Sines area in Portugal, Alex felt something was missing. With an adventurous spirit and a desire for a new challenge, he made the brave decision to leave everything behind and start a new life on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Thailand.
Alex's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to pursue your passions and create the life you've always dreamed of. Contact him for a psychic reading and take that leap of faith to start your own extraordinary adventure.
One of the beaches of Maenam to the north of the island. In the background, you can see the island of Koh Phangan, known for its Full Moon Party.
Who were you before you dropped everything?
Before I dropped everything, I considered myself a sheep in a flock. I was a stressed, nervous, anxious person who was irritated by life's circumstances. I felt like a faulty piece in a mechanism that doesn't work well. I believed my happiness depended on external factors like the weather, financial or political situations, news, or employment. I saw many people around me with the same symptoms as mine who complained about their jobs or lack thereof. I felt like just another person.
Longtail Boats on the sandy Maya Bay in the Phi Phi Islands, available for tourists visiting the Krabi area. Here the filming of "The Beach" took place, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio
Tell us a little about your life before you dropped everything
Before I dropped everything, I lived a life filled with stress, anxiety, fears, and meaninglessness. I was stressed due to the problems inherent in a so-called normal life. I had fears of not being able to pay all my bills and the anxiety of rising gasoline prices, taxes, and unexpected expenses. I felt like I was part of a flock that seemed to be ruled by society's dogmas. And if you didn't follow the rules and traditions, you were considered a crazy or black sheep.
Phi Phi Islands
Why did you decide to break up with your life?
My decision to break away from the life I led came naturally. It was through an inner change that the exterior began to change as well. I've always heard: Do you want to change the world? Change yourself. Until then, it was just an appealing phrase that deserved a "like" on Facebook, especially if it was accompanied by a beautiful image. After I had really changed within, I realized that the world had changed around me, or rather the way I saw it. I believe that the way we see the world is a reflection of our mind or our state of mind. I changed some habits in my life and cut out everything that made me feel bad, such as watching television or being with people who didn't mean anything to me. I came to be at peace in the midst of the chaos of society. It was with this inner peace that I decided that the world around me should better reflect my inner state. If I'm right inside, why can't what surrounds me be to my liking, too!?
Phi Phi Islands
What did you take in your luggage when you dropped everything?
Taking into account that, due to my inner change, I began to give more value to experiences and moments than to accumulate things. What I brought in my luggage was very little: three or four t-shirts, three or four shorts, slippers, documents, a computer, and my kite surfing material.
What did you feel when you got on the plane?
When I got on the plane, I felt like I was taking the biggest step of my life. I felt anxious but also hopeful and happy for having freed myself from the moors that bound me to a world that was no longer mine.
Two piña coladas and some appetizers while enjoying the late afternoon at the InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort.
Why Thailand?
Mainly because it is a country with summer all year round, temperatures above 30º C, paradisiacal beaches, palm trees, and people with a completely different way of life.
A wonderful place called Vikasa Yoga
Did you find what you were looking for?
Without a doubt, I couldn't be more pleased. I found a lifestyle that best reflects my personality today. I found beaches where I can spend the whole day, with waters that reach 38º C. I found safety among the people; I leave my door open all day, even when I go away. I found fantastic flora, surrounded by vegetation all year round. I have met people from all over the world who share the same lifestyle with whom I can share experiences. In short, I found myself.
Late afternoon at InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort, west of Koh Samui
Have you started or restarted again? Why?
I feel like I have started my life. I started being who I am, doing what I like to feel good most of the time. I feel connected to everything, I feel free. And all because I believe that we are in this world to be happy, and we can only be happy doing what we like when we like it.
Koh Nang Yuan; a private island that is part of Koh Tao
Were you able to drop it all over again?
Certainly. After dropping everything the first time, everything becomes easier. Perhaps the first time is the most complicated for everyone. For me, it was not that complicated because it was a natural stage of my state of mind; it was not forced at all. It was the release of old habits, places, and routines to create others that I could identify with better. Since I started collecting moments and not things, the release of accumulated goods is something simple, and the experiences - these - go with us in memory. I started to have everything, almost nothing.
Erawan National Park, situated just over 200 km west of Bangkok. Here I was dressed in very comfortable cotton clothes, made by the locals and sold in Bangkok. The hat is typical of Vietnam but also sold in the markets of Bangkok
Who are you now?
I could say my name is Alex (Herege), I'm 43 years old, and I'm Portuguese and currently living in Thailand, among other things. However, I don't think that says who I am. What I think best defines me is a general definition for all of us humans. I consider myself part of a whole, a whole that involves everything that exists. I am a part of a source of energy to which we all belong. Although an individual with my own characteristics and thoughts, I am a reflection of something superior, experiencing this physical form and taking the greatest possible pleasure from this life, and sharing it with others.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is situated about 45 minutes by speedboat from Koh Samui. The feeling of union with everything that surrounds me, lightness and freedom in waters with average temperatures of 33 ° C.
If you're feeling stuck or looking for guidance in your own journey, we highly recommend reaching out to Alex and checking out his profile on Psychic Mix. His unique story and experience may just inspire you to take a leap of faith and pursue your passions, and his insights as a psychic can offer invaluable guidance and support along the way. Don't hesitate to connect with him and start your own journey toward a more fulfilling and authentic life.
