matteoraschini

-Sunday night reflections. Looking back at the highs, the lows, and everything this week has taught me.-

Good evening and happy Sunday, dear readers.
And as every Sunday, let’s start this quiet evening by looking back at the week.
Ready? Let’s begin.

This week had its ups and downs. There were days when I let myself go a little more, and others when I held on stronger. At times I was swallowed by sadness and melancholy. So many thoughts. Thoughts about wanting to reach many goals, and then falling into sadness because I feel like I’m not strong enough to start. Or because I think everything must be done perfectly, when the real perfection is simply starting.
I acknowledge that.

But surprisingly, despite all this, there were many positive things.
Before giving voice to my thoughts, let’s look at the weekly stats.

This week my average sleep score was 85, with an average of 7 hours and 13 minutes of sleep per night. A bit less than last week, but I had two early work shifts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the alarm at 4 a.m. Not ideal, but manageable.

Now let’s talk about one of my biggest addictions: coffee.
This week I drank 8 coffees, with an average of one per day, and today I allowed myself two.

I completed a total of 60 minutes of meditation, with some days at 10 minutes per session and others at 5. I must admit it’s becoming my little morning ritual, together with a glass of warm water. I’m happy about that. A calm mind in the morning helps me start the day well.

I read two books: one Japanese novel, and The Law of Attraction. A very powerful book whose teachings I will definitely carry with me. At the moment, I’m also reading the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and Flow. I’m really happy to be reading so much. Reading takes me to a world of its own: just me, the book, and emotions.

My average screen time was 2 hours and 47 minutes per day, half of last week’s average, with 44 minutes per day on Instagram. Honestly, a great result. Most of the Instagram time happened on days when I felt sad, using it to cope with melancholy by watching other people’s stories. I won’t hide that I also used it to find inspiration, looking at profiles connected to what I’d like to do in the future.

Today, January 25th, the scale shows 80.65 kg, which means –1.2 kg this week. The hard work in training and a healthy diet are paying off. I am extremely happy.
For me, the number on the scale means very little. What really matters is how I feel, how confident I am when I look at myself. Sleeping well, feeling light, breathing more easily—these small things together make me truly happy.

Another week with no binge eating episodes. I enjoyed all my meals and didn’t need to escape into food. Since I stopped tracking macros and started following a balanced diet, I feel better. I’m really glad I deleted the app last week.

I completed 10 training sessions between running and gym workouts. A great result.
Yesterday, as I told you, was race day: my first trail running race on snow. What can I say—I couldn’t have ended the week better. I finished 10th out of 400 people, and 2nd in my category. I’m incredibly happy about this achievement. It proves my training is working.

Before the race, for several days, I strongly visualized myself on the podium. The Law of Attraction works. I believe in it. I attract what I desire.

Another beautiful part of this week was seeing my friend Eddy, which made me really happy, and talking on the phone with my “brother from another blood,” Junior. I nurtured real relationships, choosing them over empty friendships. Cultivating friendships is important, but filtering them and learning to say no to relationships that drain you is just as important.

Running my first race with my parents was special.
This week I also started supporting local vendors, buying fruit, vegetables, and fresh eggs at the market. Completely different taste. I’m not going back. I want to rely more on real food and less on processed food. I started buying real bread from a local bakery, and just walking there has become a small ritual that makes me feel good. I love bakeries and interacting with the people who work there.

Today, like last Sunday, was rest day. Or better, an active rest day: 40 minutes of easy spin bike just to loosen my legs after yesterday’s race.

Today I took the day for myself. My friend Thomas and I went out for lunch. I finally enjoyed my long-awaited bowl of ramen and onigiri. After all this time, I truly earned it. It was the best reward after yesterday’s race.

In the past, after ramen, I would usually binge on ice cream and sweets at home because I considered ramen a “cheat meal.” Today, I enjoyed my ramen, my onigiri, had a snack with Greek yogurt and homemade granola—and that was enough. I’m happy.

I’m happy because since starting this challenge, I’ve learned to enjoy food without labeling it as a cheat. I want real food, not junk food. Junk food gives nothing emotionally—only addiction to sugar and excess. I want food that tells a story, food that makes me feel connected to where it comes from.

Despite the ups and downs, I realize now how small the bad days were compared to what this week truly was:
real food, real friendships, time with my parents, physical well-being, and above all mental well-being in my relationship with food.

I’m grateful to myself. I’m grateful for being healthy, for being able to enjoy meals out, and for discovering new flavors without guilt.

Thank you.
Have a wonderful evening, dear readers.
See you tomorrow.

–Some days start slower, but feel bigger inside.–

Good afternoon, dear readers.
Today is race day?!

This morning started at 7:30 a.m. I know very well that one of my main rules is waking up at 6, but last night I chose to give priority to my family. I went to my brother’s football match and got home at midnight. I know how important my morning routine is to me, but I chose what truly mattered. So this morning I woke up at 7:30 to get the right amount of sleep before today’s race.

Today I’ll take part in an easy 10 km trail with my parents. It’s the first time in my life that I’m running an actual “race,” and of course I’ll tell you later how it felt. I’ve never really considered trail running before, but honestly, it’s starting to excite me. The idea of running in nature feels beautiful — feeling free, lonely souls moving through kilometers of mountains. Freedom.

Just before writing this, I was visualizing what I want from my life, what I want to achieve. Three things came to my mind immediately: trail running, traveling, and creating videos and content. I think this is everything I need — and will need — in life. This mix belongs to my big inner cauldron. My goal is not to be the strongest trail runner, but to create content around mountain running, traveling, and running in new places, capturing nature, cities, and sport with my camera.

At the core of my thoughts, though, there are always travels. I want to travel full-time, collaborate with brands for advertising projects, and become a Sony ambassador. I know my abilities, and I know I’ll get there. All of this will take shape in my life. I think it, I feel it — and when I think about it, my emotions are alive and joyful. I think it, and I obtain it. I attract what I think. Living thoughts. Emotional thoughts.

I just need to allow all of this to enter my life. My thoughts are strong, and I’m ready to welcome what is meant for me.

Yesterday I created my actual 2026 vision board with images and powerful words, but I want to make it better. So I deleted it and started again. I want to print all my inspirations and build a real board with everything on it. In the next days, I’ll work on this project so I can have my thoughts in front of me, on paper too — to make them even clearer and stronger. I’m sure that the stronger the thought, the faster it attracts what we want.

Now I’m here, in the car, heading to Asiago, ready to live and enjoy my trail. Yes, I’m writing while in the car — but in the end, it doesn’t matter where I write. What matters is what I want to transmit.

Visualize. Strong thoughts. Attract.

Good afternoon, dear readers.

-Some days feel heavy. Today was one of those. Even when I do the right things, my heart feels a little behind.-

Good evening, dear readers.
Today was a grey day. And my mood felt grey too.

Even though I had a good workout and worked on my vision board, I feel carried by a wave of sadness. I feel behind, as if I know what I want from my life but I can’t yet turn what I see in my mind into something real. I know that visualizing is important, but I also know that action and decisions are needed to truly chase our dreams.

Today I focused on my vision board. It was beautiful to write on paper the things that represent me, the things I want to achieve this year. It’s a very ambitious vision board, but I believe I am capable of doing everything I set my mind to.

Aside from that, I didn’t really excel in anything today. To be honest, I don’t even feel like writing. Especially when I don’t feel strong emotions to share. But because today I don’t feel like sharing my ideas, thoughts, or emotions, I want to talk about something important to me.

Today, after a long time, I finally liked what I saw in the mirror. I know, I know—we should always appreciate ourselves as we are. But I am deeply connected to my physical shape. Being in shape for me doesn’t just mean abs or good lines. Feeling good also means sleeping well, having good sleep quality, a low resting heart rate, and performing well in my workouts.

This is fundamental for me. And this is why I am so obsessed with eating well, training, and resting properly.

As you know, I’ve always had a difficult relationship with food. I used to give in to emotional eating and use food as an escape. But it was always the wrong choice. After every binge, I felt bad, and the next day I felt guilty.

Now, since I started this 75-day project, I have zero desire to binge or eat processed food. Sometimes I feel a bit of craving when I watch Instagram videos, but what would make me happy now is no longer a hamburger or sweets until I explode. I want to try new foods. I want to sit down and eat a good bowl of ramen.

For a week now, I’ve been craving a good ramen. And I’m happy that I no longer see food as a “cheat,” but as an experience.

I love Japanese food. I truly appreciate their philosophy, and especially the care and respect they put into preparing food. I’ve never been to Japan, but I watch many videos. They live slowly, without rushing, without chasing the clock. They take their time—and that feels right.

I would love to live an experience between China and Japan. To learn more about their cultures and taste new foods. I have so many places I want to visit. I want to be a full-time traveler, and I will be.

Travel, photography, video, and running are my passions. I want to turn my passions into my work and create my own reality.

I don’t want to end my life in the place where I am now, surrounded by the same people, going to the same places. I am a free spirit. I need to travel and document everything I do.

THIS IS WHO I AM.
A born traveler, adaptable to every culture, with an unusual sense of curiosity.

I want to capture every moment I feel. I want to capture emotions through my camera and share them with the world. I just need to find a way to turn my passions into my job, into my source of income.

I’ve always been someone attached to money. But lately, what I truly want is freedom.
Freedom to choose where to live.
Freedom to decide how long to stay somewhere.
Freedom to change cities without answering to anyone.

This is who I am.
A curious person who wants to discover the world.

I want to see the most remote places on this Earth and document them.

THIS IS WHO I AM.

After this small release and reflective moment, I wish you a good evening, dear readers.
See you tomorrow

-No big steps, no pressure. Just presence, gratitude, and real human connection.-

Good evening, dear readers.
Today the sky was cloudy, but I was happy.

I started the day at 6 a.m. with a sleep score of 95 — what can I say, great sleep. This morning I meditated for 5 minutes. Not much, but I’m keeping the continuity. Consistency — that’s the word that fits best.

Today I ran 10 km and felt amazing. I love running, breathing fresh air, and today I went out without my phone. It was just me, my feelings, my emotions, and my legs running nonstop, kilometer after kilometer. I’m happy I had a good workout.

Today and tomorrow I won’t do any quality sessions because on Saturday I have a mountain race! I’m grateful because I’ll be running with my parents. It will be one of those moments where we reconnect, doing what unites us the most: running.

I’m happy today — really happy. Even though today I didn’t work on anything directly useful for my goals, it was a beautiful day. Running without my phone, drinking a cup of red tea… but that’s only part of what I did today.

I’m getting into the habit of buying bread at the bakery, trying to reduce packaged bread. But for me it’s not just about health — it’s becoming a mantra. The thought of going out to buy bread makes me feel good. I want to prioritize local vendors and use fewer packaged products.

Going to these local places makes me feel good. I want to interact with people. When I go to the supermarket, I just buy and leave. But when I go to the bakery or the fish shop, the idea of having a conversation, observing the counter, choosing and trying new foods makes me happy.

Today I had many thoughts in my head, blaming myself for not being productive. But tonight, looking back at what happened, I realized that happiness isn’t only about working hard toward something. It can also be about having a day full of positive and rewarding experiences.

After two years, I saw a dear friend again. We had lost touch for a long time, and even though I didn’t really expect to see him again, today it happened. I felt really good in his company. For the first time in years, I had a deep and interesting conversation.

Listening to what he’s doing and what he’s been through, exchanging life views, and being able to count on someone who doesn’t only talk about themselves, but truly listens — that made me very happy.

I saw a big change in him. I felt a different energy compared to how I knew him two years ago. I’m not someone who easily opens up or talks about feelings, but today I felt comfortable — both talking and listening. I felt good vibes.

We spent three hours together and time flew. I was so focused on the conversation that I didn’t even realize it was already 2:30 p.m. I’m really proud of the path he’s on — he’s achieving many of his dreams and doing well.

He gave me a push to put the right energy into what I want to attract in my life, to stop caring about judgment, and to have the resilience and strength to pursue my goals fully. I really needed a conversation like this. I feel lighter, less stressed. Feeling understood is not easy for me, and today I felt it.

I tend to hide who I am, to keep everything inside, because I rarely feel understood. I usually try to solve everything on my own. But today — and yes, I know I’m repetitive, but this is my diary — I want to say it again: I’m happy.

I’m grateful for this dose of friendship and for spending such a beautiful morning together. I hope to see him again soon, or at least rebuild our connection.

Later today, I also received a call from someone I consider my brother, not by blood. We hadn’t spoken on the phone in a while, and it meant a lot to hear his voice again. Even though we’re 10,280 km apart, we’re always in sync.

We see each other once a year, and we don’t talk all the time, but I carry him in my heart. He’s been there during my darkest moments, always supporting me. I care deeply about both J. and E. — you know you can always count on me.

I want to reflect on something. For a long time, I neglected my friendships. Not because I wanted to be cold, but because I felt I had nothing to share and nothing in common anymore. So I stepped back, choosing myself over relationships that didn’t give me anything.

Today I realized how important it is to cultivate relationships — but not just any relationships. I mean the kind where you can be yourself, without fear of judgment, where you feel understood.

The friends I truly care about can be counted on one hand, and that’s okay. I want to protect these bonds. Not just because we grew up together, but because now I understand how powerful it is to talk to someone who really listens.

Today I’m grateful for these two beautiful conversations. I may not have had a “productive” day in terms of chasing goals, but today this was enough.

We can want and attract many things in life — money, travel, love — but nothing is more beautiful than attracting joy and happiness. When you realize that happiness is what truly matters, everything else becomes secondary.

You can have all the money in the world, but what kind of life is it if you can’t be happy or cultivate meaningful friendships?

Be happy. Be joyful. Attract joy. And most importantly, allow yourself to feel it.

Tonight, with a cup of tea — my cup of tea — I’ll take some time for myself, away from screens, with a good book and my physical journal.

Good evening, dear readers.
Take care of your relationships. Don’t neglect them.

-Some days feel heavy. And that’s part of the work.-

Good evening, dear readers. How are you?

Today I feel worn out.
It was my second early shift at work, and waking up so early is starting to take its toll. I feel very low on energy, and tonight — whether from real hunger caused by all the training, or from fatigue and stress — I felt a strong urge to eat. I could have eaten anything on the table.

But I controlled my hunger. I redirected my thoughts and reminded myself that I am strong and that I control my mind. So I told myself: Matteo, eat what you’re supposed to eat, nourish your body, and if you’re still hungry, try not to obsess over it.

Now that I’m writing this, the hunger has calmed down. I feel about 80% full.

This made me think about one of the principles of longevity in Japan, called Hara Hachi Bu. What I’m about to mention is based on tradition and research. Okinawa is considered one of the five Blue Zones — areas of the world where people live the longest. One of their main habits is eating large amounts of vegetables and plant-based foods, and most importantly, eating until you feel about 80% full, not completely stuffed.

It’s a mindful approach to food, one that helps avoid overloading the digestive system. It’s a cultural rule that promotes balance and moderation — and it can be applied to other areas of life as well.

Another very important factor is eating mindfully. Sometimes I manage to do it. I try not to use electronic devices while eating, focusing only on the food in front of me. Ideally, we should also eat slowly, savoring every bite to help digestion — something I still struggle with. When hunger hits, I tend to eat fast without thinking. I want to improve this. I want to learn to eat more slowly, not just for digestion or satiety, but because eating slowly helps build awareness.

After this reflection on food, I want to talk about how I feel today.

I’m truly tired. Not because work itself was intense, but because my sleep schedule is irregular. Some days I sleep 8 hours and wake up fresh and motivated. Other days I sleep 5 or 6 hours and reach the end of the day feeling like jelly.

This morning my alarm went off at 4 a.m. I know I could easily wake up at 5:15, but I don’t give up. My morning routine is too important to me — meditation, reading, journaling. It’s part of who I am now. Starting my day like this, with a ceramic mug filled with warm water, has become my mantra.

This is who I am: someone who gets obsessively attached to the things he cares about. I care so deeply about that mug that I’ve almost become obsessed with it. I see more than just a piece of ceramic. When I hold it in my hands, my mind travels to some place in Japan. I feel gratitude. I imagine myself in a ryokan, drinking a cup of hot tea. I’m grateful for having bought that mug.

After work today, I completed a very intense gym session and really challenged myself. I’m trying to increase the time I can hold a plank. I’m now at 1 minute and 45 seconds, starting from 1 minute just two weeks ago. I want to see how far I can push my body — but above all, my mind.

More than physical fatigue — which is obviously there — the real challenge is mental. There’s a moment when seconds stop flowing normally. Time slows down. And right when you’re about to give up, you start fighting your inner self.

So I decided to challenge myself, to compete with myself, to understand my limits. I want to go beyond them. I want to dominate my mind — not just as a challenge, but as training for control. I want to improve my mastery over my thoughts.

This is day three of trying to follow the advice from The Law of Attraction, but for the past two days I haven’t practiced visualization. I know I need to restart, but I need my place — my bench in the park. I want to sit there after my run, with no thoughts, and start creating in my mind, visualizing what I want to achieve.

Tomorrow I’ll start again. I promise. I want to test these universal laws described in the book.

Another day where I spoke badly about someone I don’t like. Another day where I didn’t fully control my thoughts. Another day where I visualized negative things I don’t want to attract — yet just by thinking about them, I attract them.

I need to learn to think positively and truly believe in it. It’s not enough to visualize what we want if, deep down, we believe we’re not capable of achieving it — because then the law cancels itself out.

Positive thoughts.
Positive thoughts.
Visualize.
Visualize.
Create.
Create.

I need to build the habit of thinking positively, not thinking about others, being kind to everyone. A healthy mind. Healthy thoughts. Healthy thoughts lead to what I want. What I want leads to joy, gratitude, and freedom.

Plan.
Learn.
Fail.
Execute.

I wish you a good evening, dear readers.
See you tomorrow.