I’m really angry right now.

I started writing a blog post about my experiences in Gozo, though it feels more like an obligation at the moment, as I’m not really feeling inspired. Still, I’d like to aim for writing one post per week in the future, covering business and Maltese experiences.

However, I just had an experience that I’ll probably need to vent about for a while, and in my experience, writing helps me process these things.

So what exactly happened?

I received a message from the founder of GlobalNomadPass, saying they had a friend who wanted to chat about Malta. This friend happens to be the founder of RemoteBase, an independent authority on digital nomad accommodation.

Overjoyed, I immediately replied to the introduction, saying “I’m available anytime.”

The whole situation seemed exciting for multiple reasons: the founder’s profile, the company’s work, and the fact that I’d finally get the chance to give advice, tips, and guidance about Malta—in a business context, no less.

Of course, I didn’t get a response, but that wasn’t surprising. Over the years, I’ve experienced countless times that a significant portion of my emails remain unanswered, due to lack of time, interest, or any number of reasons. It’s just part of the process.

You should also know that I check my spam folder every 2-3 days in case something important ends up there, though it rarely ever happens.

It probably won’t surprise you that there actually was a reply. In fact, several emails landed in the spam folder.

“There's a fairly time sensitive opportunity,” the first email said. And yes, today I saw Chris’ post about Malta on LinkedIn. The timing of this “delay” is also strange because he posted it two days ago, and I check LinkedIn several times a day. Technology doesn’t seem to be on my side lately...

After that, I found the emails, where he had requested a Monday morning meeting.

Do I feel like I missed one of the biggest opportunities of my life?

Yes.

Am I angry at myself, my luck, and of course, Microsoft Outlook?

Absolutely.

Is my anger mixed with disappointment and sadness?

Naturally.

I don’t know how others deal with these kinds of mistakes; I try to prevent them, but clearly, I don’t always succeed. The world hasn’t collapsed, but my motivation hasn’t increased either—this story is tinged with a sense of failure.

I’m really angry right now, but I’m glad I could write it all down!

UPDATE:
We had a great discussion a few days later, which is a kind reminder of the importance of patience and not getting nervous or impulsive too quickly.