Expectations and 7 Days

I had relatively high expectations for the second half of last week. After a longer, uneventful period, I was looking ahead to the intense two weeks I had previously described. Since the end of my assignment in Malta is approaching, it’s likely that this intense period won’t ease up anymore.

But there’s nothing wrong with that—I actually love this kind of pace. My body, however, seemed to like it less, signaling with some sleep issues and illness that it had become quite accustomed to a calmer life and might prefer if this otherwise welcome intensity didn’t come around.

No worries, we’re only young once, I might think—if I hadn’t already worn out this phrase over the past 15 years... While I walked 40 minutes to the Startup Festival in a suit, feeling like it was 40 degrees outside after just 5 hours of sleep and realizing that I wouldn’t be getting more sleep than this until Sunday, I felt quite down. I wasn’t too enthusiastic about that day’s meetings either, as they were all with complete strangers and involved a significant informational asymmetry.

And then, it began.

The first meeting started at 10 AM, followed by six more. But somehow, the people on the other side didn’t mirror the fatigue and lack of enthusiasm I was feeling—they were quite the opposite. Eyes full of energy and openness looked back at me during each meeting.

As if that wasn't enough, a few equally energetic acquaintances showed up, and our small CONNECTICLUB group picked up on this energy—or maybe even set the tone; it’s unclear. What matters is that the flow from the first meeting of the first day carried me through the entire week.

Since this is not meant to be a detailed recounting of events but rather a reflection on the experience, I won’t delve further into the two days of the Startup Festival, the two nights in Paceville, our first and last house party, Mdina, Bugibba, Valletta, beach days in mid-October, or my 48 hours in Sicily.

I’ve already described these feelings elsewhere (here and here): heightened excitement, the thrill, and the fear that something might go wrong—which, of course, doesn’t happen. All of this wrapped in countless conversations, some deep, some more superficial. Which is perfectly fine. A few kind words, criticism, summaries, and observations of growth through someone else’s eyes—always so sweet.

Nostalgia and looking ahead.

It’s fascinating how expectations almost never align with reality, yet these intense periods always turn out to be really good in their own way—just like this time. And we haven’t even talked about the previous weekend and the one that followed...

While this is just as much a gratitude blog as it is a recap, there are a few people I am very grateful to for the past days. And the best part is, they know it exactly! 😊