New year, new goals. I’m writing this blog as a way to heal and rediscover myself after the end of an 8-year relationship with the girl I once loved. We crossed paths when I was 19, but unfortunately, by the time I hit 27, the incompatibilities in our lives were too overwhelming. It’s a tough pill to swallow when the person you’ve been with and loved with every fiber of your being decides to take a different path.

But let’s get down to business – let me introduce myself. I’m a guy from Italy, born and raised in the northern part of the country. Currently, I’m living the dream by working on the development of gasoline engines for a well-known automotive company in Bologna. Yep, you heard it right – I’m in the engine game, making those machines purr like content kittens. Life’s funny that way, isn’t it?

Well, it’s not exactly like that. The gig I’ve got is a blast, and the folks around me are spot-on. Yet, at this very moment, I’m sensing that my life is doing a little dance in a direction I didn’t exactly choreograph. On a personal level, I’m still reeling from the aftermath of my relationship’s grand finale. On top of that, I feel like I’m in a golden cage: good paycheck, minimal responsibilities, working for a company that’s showered with praise, but at the same time, it’s a tad stagnant with almost zero chances of internal growth. To add a cherry on top, the 2035 engine ban in Europe has me pondering whether I’ll be able to keep at this job until my retirement party. Life’s throwing me some interesting curveballs, and I’m just here juggling them, you know?

I don’t even have the comfort of many friends: I’ve consistently switched cities and environments with each academic milestone, and now, I have to work and live in a region different from my hometown. As a result, keeping in touch with the few lifelong friends I have is quite a challenge.

Yes, it’s true. I have an amazing family that’s always by my side, ready to support me through every “down” moment. However, when I’m on my own, I find myself having to rebuild what’s left of me.

In this quirky adventure, I’ve decided to pen down this blog, treating it like a diary (translation: it’s all about me, not you, dear reader).

If you’ve managed to wade through this verbal maze so far, big kudos to you! Thanks a bunch for the support, and here’s hoping my rollercoaster of a life story brings you some amusement or, who knows, maybe even a smidgen of helpful insight. Cheers to you, brave soul! 🚀