”One day, a goodbye… and me walking away!”
That famous line from a Brazilian song sometimes echoes in my mind when that longing for home hits. Some people ask me what led me to leave. What was, in fact, the reason I abandoned my family and my passion for my work as a social columnist and graphic editor?
Maybe I should answer them by starting, for example, with why I stayed in Brazil for so long or why I never returned for good.
In that song, the lyrics mention it was “crazy to leave for such a small adventure.” In my case, it was a way to escape the stress I believed I was living under. My understanding of stress is quite different 24 years later. Yes, it’s been 24 years since I left everything behind and went in search of what many people fear… the unknown!
Ah, the unknown! If I told you that I never feared the unknown, I’d be lying— and lying is not part of my character. But I must confess, the unknown fascinates me, because it pushes my mind to work with greater sharpness.
What I didn’t know back then was that geographical escape wasn’t the answer to my mental confusion. I changed my life, but anxiety and stress followed me like shadows until I realized: when life gets complicated, we must intentionally simplify it.
This blog is not just about my journey, but a practical and loving guide born from my own experience for you who, just like me, feel the weight of a complex routine and desperately seek clarity and peace.
It is the manual I created for myself and now share so that you can transform stress into purpose, become the best version of yourself, and positively impact the world.
So let’s go “back to the beginning.”
Who was Claudete Matos once upon a time?
My siblings would say I was the baby of 14 children of Antonio Bento Pereira and Davina Matos Pereira (in memoriam). That little girl who threw tantrums until she got what she wanted. Stubborn and spoiled. I would say persistent and bold.
My childhood friends say I was studious and curious. I would say hungry for knowledge and determined. My teenage friends would probably say I was a dreamer. I would say visionary.
I was born in Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil, but at the age of 13, I was adopted by the city of Sombrio (same state). I love my hometown and have great affection for my people, but if you ask me where I’m from, even though I’m deeply fascinated by the canyons and the simplicity of my little spot in Cachoeira de Fátima, I will certainly say I’m from Sombrio. Why?
Because it was in Sombrio that I gained a stronger foundation for life. I was welcomed with open arms by people with noble and humble hearts. People who didn’t worry about where I came from, but about where I wanted to go.
However, if you ask my favorite beach, I’ll say with enthusiasm and certainty: Torres (Rio Grande do Sul) — “the beach that watched me grow”. My mother’s homeland and the land of the Matos family.
I don’t want to make this introduction too long. When I start writing, my mind travels and I tend to write an entire newspaper! So, let’s take this step by step. I want to take you with me on this journey back to the beginning.
So, as you follow along, get ready for an adventure. Put aside whatever you’re doing. I know! It’s not easy to find free time, but remember: just as your cell phone needs a break to recharge, so do you.
If you love coffee like I do, make yourself a fresh cup, because both the taste and the aroma need to be in harmony for your mind to relax. Find a little corner just for yourself, if possible, far from any noise. I’ll explain the title “These Wonderful Women,” and then I’ll wait to hear from you— after all, the best part for me is the connection with my readers and interactive participation.
Together, we can go much further on this journey!
Reflection Points:
- The Myth of Geographical Escape (Mental Health Focus)
“What I didn’t know back then was that geographical escape wasn’t the answer to my mental confusion.”
We often think changing our environment (a new job, a new city) will solve our internal stress. How can you face your current challenges instead of escaping them?
2. Radical Simplification as a Leadership Tool (Leadership Focus)
”…when life gets complicated, we must intentionally simplify it.”
As a leader, complexity is the enemy of efficiency and mental clarity. How can you simplify your processes and expectations to reduce anxiety for yourself and your team (or family)?
3. Transforming Stubbornness into Persistence (Self-Development Focus)
“Stubborn and spoiled. I would say persistent and bold.”
Your childhood traits define your potential. How can you reframe the “negative” perceptions others have of you into strengths that drive your personal growth?
