On Regeneration

I stretch my tongue to taste the first snow, the first actual peaceful moment since we returned to work seven days ago. The next morning, I wake up to a snow-blanketed Grindelwald. Sometimes, it's terrifying, how quickly you slip back into work mode while your mind takes much longer to get back to health and creative routines. 

The past month, we spent time at home in Berlin and Tarragona and traveled to Sitges and Tenerife. Like the hotel doors in Grindelwald closed for renovation in November, we, too, used that time to renovate ourselves. Like every year, this is our time for personal restoration: mental and physical regeneration. 

 Regeneration as a Guiding Philosophy 

 On this note, regeneration has become one of my favorite words—a powerful vision for reviving our bodies and minds and, most importantly, an encouragement of the possibility of systemic change toward a hopeful future.  

 According to the dictionary, regeneration means:

• Renewal, restoration, or growth. 
• The process by which organisms replace or restore lost or damaged tissues, organs, or body parts.
•  A spiritual or emotional rebirth or revival—a renewal of life, spirit, or mind.

Our November was about letting go of the emotional weight of a busy and exhausting year and creating space for physical, mental, and spiritual renewal. Part of this "bringing back to health" meant nurturing my relationships with family and friends—connecting with them over delicious food, long talks, and wild dances. Another part was exploring the island of Tenerife and strengthening my relationship with Sitges. I tried to bring in the lessons from last year and rest more, sleep more. 

However, regeneration isn't just a state we enter to recover from a stressful year. It's a mindset rooted in a deep understanding of interconnectedness and stewardship. It means recognizing our role within a larger system and a holistic understanding that our wellbeing is deeply connected to the health of our communities and the planet.

 Seeing the World Through a Living-System Lens 

 A forest thrives as a living system through collaboration, natural diversity, adaptation, and constant evolution. Our bodies are no different—both are deeply interconnected, part of the natural world. 

 The RSA, the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, defines a regenerative mindset as follows:

 "A 'regenerative' mindset is one that sees the world as built around reciprocal and co-evolutionary relationships, where humans, other living beings and ecosystems rely on one another for health, and shape (and are shaped by) their connections with one another. It recognises that addressing the interconnected social and environmental challenges we face is dependent on rebalancing and restoring these relationships" 

The RSA correctly points out that this way of thinking is not new but rather "has a long heritage, woven through cultures, indigenous wisdom traditions, philosophies, religions and communities around the world and across time." 

Exploring regenerative principles has been changing the way I ask questions and how I approach challenges, both in my personal life and in decision-making that impacts other people and the planet. It's been giving me tools to free myself from paralysis, pessimism, and anxiety when it comes to complex problems and envisioning a future rooted in hope, collaboration, and meaningful action. 

 The Interplay of Hospitality and Regeneration 

 To me, hospitality and regeneration are deeply connected. In hospitality, we welcome others with care, creating spaces for rejuvenation and joy. Small gestures, a genuine smile, a shared meal, can foster reciprocal relationships where giving and receiving are balanced. What would it look like to bring this spirit of hospitality, such as smiling at a stranger, into every interaction—not just with guests, but with everyone we meet?

Small Acts of Liberation 

 One of the most harmful habits in our society is mindless overconsumption - fast fashion and the endless cycle of buying new and creating waste. The good news? This is one of the easiest things to change. Buy less, repair more. 

 Since moving to Switzerland, I have embraced a minimalist mindset, only purchasing what I genuinely need or value. It feels liberating to prioritize quality over quantity and to know where my money goes. By valuing repair over replacement and minimizing waste, we can push back against the culture of excess and create a more cyclic way of living. 

 In a world obsessed with consumption, production, and performance, slowing down and focusing on what truly matters is an act of rebellion. Jenny Odell's How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy has inspired me to reclaim my time and attention and to bring back intention and focus into my daily actions. 

 Many of us encounter moments of procrastination, indecision, overwhelm, fear, and anger these days —especially when we witness a genocide unfolding in real-time on social media, see leaders failing to act responsibly, or people vote for politicians who still deny climate change and reproductive rights. 

 A regenerative mindset, however, reminds us of two essential truths: we have agency, and nothing is permanent. Like other ecosystems, we possess the capacity to adapt and evolve, using challenges as opportunities to build healthier futures for humans and all living beings. 

 Regeneration as a Mindset 

 Whether we talk about work or travel, healthcare and wellbeing, infrastructure and mobility, business and economy, urban planning and architecture, food systems and agriculture, education, fashion, governance, and policy, there is a growing interest in regenerative thinking. In my last newsletter, Nurturing Your Space, Nurturing Your Yourself, I wrote, "Regeneration begins at home." The truth is that regeneration, bringing something back to a state of health, vitality, or wholeness, begins in our minds and is channeled through interconnection and community. 

 Recommended

BOOKS / MUSIC / PODCASTS / FILMS / ARTWORK 

• "How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy" by Jenny Odell:
  Timely and insightful, this guide to reclaiming time and focus in an attention-driven world arrived at the perfect moment. Recovering from an intense summer, Odell's call to resist the push for productivity reminded me to follow my own preachings: slow down, pay attention, and nurture genuine relationships—with people, nature, and communities. Philosophical yet practical, creative yet personal, this book invites reflection on what truly matters. An inspiring read! 
• Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy" (Netflix Documentary): This eye-opening documentary reveals how corporations manipulate us into overconsumption, creating waste that harms people and the planet. It's a well-done wake-up call to reflect on buying habits and consider the environmental impact of what we throw away. If you are interested in understanding overconsumption and how to resist it, this is a must-watch.

What's Coming Next

I have finally set a deadline for launching my blog: Threeminds Travel - A Space To Nurture Regenerative Travel, Mindful Hospitality & Slow Living. No procrastination allowed. This time, I'm letting go of perfectionism, solely embracing the joy of creating something new. So, the end of January is going to be exciting for me, and I can't wait to finally share this project with all of you. Where attention goes, energy flows. And all my attention will be with the blog launch. Meanwhile, I wish everyone the most wonderful and cozy holiday time. I hope you are surrounded by love. I hope you are in peace. I hope you are resting. I hope you are resisting. I hope you are dreaming. 

I am deeply grateful you have stuck with me for yet another year, reading this newsletter, giving me kind and encouraging words. I deeply hope that in some way my words are giving something to you - may it be encouragement or motivation, may it be just a gentle reminder that we are in this mess called life together. 

 Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! 

With love, Zaza

Threeminds Travel