Hobbies

Hobbies play a crucial role in my personal development and maintaining a balanced life. They are more than just activities I enjoy in my leisure time; they are essential components of my well-being. Engaging in hobbies offers a much-needed break from the demands of everyday life, providing a unique source of joy and relaxation. This mental and emotional respite is vital for recharging my energy and maintaining my mental health.

• Science and Computing
• Reading
• Movies/TV shows
• Meditation
• Philosophy
• Walking
• Cycling
• Swimming and Saunas

Science and Computing:

Well, guess what? I like science, physics, computers and programming.

Reading:
I'm a big fan of diving into a good book whenever I can. It's amazing how a few pages can open up new worlds, right?
Excellent books that really had an impact on me that I vigorously recommend:

• Méditer jour après jour, by Christophe André (2011)
  Twenty-five lessons for Living in Mindfulness. A meditation training with Christophe André, a star author in the psychology section. Simple and practical like a manual, the book is illustrated with paintings and comes with a CD of meditations designed and read by the author. Amazon
• Kintsukuroi: L'art de guérir les blessures émotionnelles, by Tomás Navarro (2018)
  Kintsukuroi is an ancient Japanese art that involves repairing broken porcelain by applying gold to the cracks. For Tomas Navarro, a psychologist, there is a deep analogy between our experiences and Kintsukuroi. We all have to face trials and losses. Overcoming them is like putting gold on our cracks, taking into account our past, our story, and any accidents we may have experienced. Initially symbols of fragility, the revealed fractures truly become our unique signature. They are what give us our value, our uniqueness. Embellished and transformed by the experience of adversity, we gain new strength. This guide talks about resilience and provides the necessary tools to help us rebuild ourselves every day, transforming difficulties into potential opportunities. Amazon
• The Little Prince, by Antoine de St-Exupéry (1943)
  Timeless and deeply philosophical work that transcends the boundaries of a simple children's book. First published in 1943, it is one of the most translated and best-selling books in the world. Amazon
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, by Mark Manson (2016)
  In contrast to the typical self-help book that encourages readers to relentlessly pursue positive experiences, Manson adopts a refreshingly blunt approach, arguing that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better! Amazon
Movies/ TV shows:

To unwind after a hectic day, I often spend my evenings watching movies or TV shows on my large 4K monitor with DTS 5.1 sound from Plex, Netflix or Apple TV.

Meditation:

Since discovering meditation in 2017, I've been enamored with it from the start. It helps me realign my energy and harmonize my body and mind.

Philosophy:

The boundary between the outermost reaches of physics and philosophy is remarkably subtle; I enjoy contemplating physics to the extent where it transitions into philosophy (epistemology). My primary preoccupation involves reflecting on the meaning of life in the universe, its rarity, and the anthropic principle. I believe there must be a reason behind it all!

Walking:

I'm fortunate to reside in the countryside, near a hilly region adorned with vineyards. Strolling through this stunning landscape on a sunny day, regardless of the season, continually unveils new discoveries.

You can explore the wonders of the world right in your own backyard!

Cycling:

While on holiday in St-Moritz, Switzerland, I experienced the delight of riding an electric bicycle, and since then, it has become indispensable to me. It enables me to venture around the neighborhoods, and I appreciate being able to adjust the battery usage based on how much physical effort I wish to exert.

Swimming and Saunas:

As a child, I was always fond of vacationing in the Mediterranean and swimming in its salty waters. More recently, I've discovered the saunas in Finland, and now, I absolutely enjoy the experience of a hot 90°C sauna followed by stepping out into the cold. The sensation is incredibly invigorating.