ROORAL

Our Cofounder Juan Barbed's reflections on his way to work this morning..

Violence against women is still a real problem. ?? Many of the reasons are structural, but not all. Research shows that violence against women in rural areas tends to be worse than in urban areas. Women living in small rural and isolated areas report higher prevalence of intimate partner violence, and greater frequency and severity of physical abuse compared to urban women. Rural women globally tend to face similar challenges in terms of isolation, lack of resources, and cultural factors that can contribute to higher rates of violence and difficulties in seeking help. At Rooral, we engage with local rural women to become part of our community and participate in our activities. We see their strength and wisdom. Yes, they have it more challenging than urban women but they also have so much to bring. There is a lot of wisdom in tradition and living close to nature. And so much to learn aout community, care, and gifting. More and more people are moving to rural areas, which challenges stereotypes and brings more diversity and richness of lived experiences and mindsets. On today's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we honor the women who are part of Rooral. We want to be a platform which uplifts and supports women from all walks of life no matter where they come from.

The olive harvest in Andalucía is a significant cultural and economic event that takes place annually during autumn.???? Olive cultivation in this region dates back to ancient times, with deep historical roots. Traditional harvesting methods include hand-picking olives, which ensures optimal ripeness and quality. Modern techniques may involve mechanical harvesters that shake olives from the trees, though this approach risks damaging the fruit and trees.?? Andalucía is renowned for its diverse olive varieties, including Hojiblanca, Picual, Arbequina, and Manzanilla. Each variety brings unique characteristics to the region's olive oil production. The Picual variety, for instance, represents 50% of Spain's total olive crop and is particularly prized for its rich antioxidants and stable oil. Olive oil is a vital part of the Mediterranean diet and is considered a symbol of health and prosperity. While Andalucía remains the largest producer of olive oil globally, contributing significantly to the local economy, recent challenges such as reduced rainfall are impacting the harvest. ?? Decreasing rainfall has led to smaller harvests and rising olive oil prices, potentially threatening the economic stability of many families and communities who depend on this traditional agricultural practice.???? The olive harvest represents more than an agricultural event—it embodies the rich cultural heritage, resilience, and community spirit of Andalucía.

Thank you for your generous words Robert John Lora! ?? "I honestly can't say enough good things about Rooral! They've created this amazing workspace in the most beautiful village setting, with absolutely everything you need to stay productive while making friends. The best part? The people. From the staff to the locals, everyone is so welcoming that you'll feel at home within days. The location is just gorgeous. For anyone wanting a perfect mix of work and peaceful surroundings, don't hesitate – this place is a hidden gem."

In today's fast-paced work environment, mental fatigue has become a common issue affecting productivity as well as well-being. ?? Recent research highlights the importance of cognitive rest and recovery, emphasizing that our brains need downtime just as much as our bodies do.?? Read our newest blog post 'THE IMPORTANCE OF REST AND FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE' to learn strategies for mental recovery and how we engage in them at Rooral! ?? https://lnkd.in/dNR_PCR9

We're at the Coworking Europe Conference in Bulgaria this week!?? We will be discussing how the coworking and coliving model can support rural areas facing depopulation while empowering remote workers. ???? It's a win-win we say. ? We'll be speaking at the Panel: 'What is the Silver bullet to make rural and smaller towns coworking a sustainable business?' In this panel we will be sharing our experience adapting a coliving and coworking model to a rual community in southern Spain. ???? Don't miss it! A big thank you to the organizers for making this happen.

At Rooral, we find it important to explore alternative approaches to travel that benefit both tourists and local communities. ?? And this is how we do it! ???? All details in our most recent article! https://lnkd.in/dU3A4-6a

In recent years, Spain has experienced a surge in tourism that has led to growing tensions between visitors and residents in popular destinations. This phenomenon has created significant challenges for Spanish cities like Barcelona, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands. ?? At Rooral, we find it important to explore alternative approaches to travel that benefit both tourists and local communities. ?? Digital nomads have a unique opportunity to embrace slow, responsible, and sustainable tourism practices that can revitalize rural areas while having an authentic experience. ???? Read our newest article 'Sustainable Tourism in Spain: A Win-Win for Digital Nomads and Rural Communities' to learn what we do to create ethical, heart-felt stays at Rooral.?? Happy reading! https://lnkd.in/dU3A4-6a

?? What if we honor the village's art of gifting by offering free stays to those who want to help revitalize the community? So excited to announce our Rooral Residencies Program called “Vente al Pueblo”! How It Works: ???? From November 11th, we will welcome innovator and artists for free who are eager to share their talents with the village. Do you want to be part of this incredible year and celebrate life with us while supporting the revitalization of our village? Fill out the application (link in comments) and see what a village can achieve together!

Since the word ‘coliving’ entered my life in 2022, many things have changed for the better. From the more personal and growth-related aspects of my life to the most playful moments I’ve experienced so far, these have all happened thanks to the spontaneous idea of moving, with my partner at the time, to a coliving space in the Azores Islands (Novovento - coliving Azores and Dwell) in the autumn of 2022 for three months, instead of renting a flat or an Airbnb. Then I entered this addictive loop and visited Cloud Citadel - Coliving Coworking Community, Sun and Co. | Coliving Coworking Community, Alpiness Coliving and ROORAL. These are some of the countless things that have happened to me thanks to being part of this movement: ?? Lived on an island in the middle of the ocean ?? Hiked in three volcano craters (extinct, haha) ??♂? Met two of my best friends today ?? Met a bunch of inspiring people who push you to new challenges ?? Overcame burnout and depression ?? Set up my own design and web business ?? Worked on a new career shift that fulfils me ?? Fallen in love again ?? Found a home away from home (Alpiness) ?? Learned to ski in the Swiss Alps ?? Returned to sport climbing ?? Tried ice climbing for the first time ??? Completed my first multi-pitch climbing ascent ?? Learned to make baskets and ?? soap with natural materials A huge thanks to those who work in the coliving industry (basically pursuing a dream and a lifestyle) whom I’ve had the pleasure to meet or whose work I’ve seen – from operators to volunteers, content creators, and community developers. Anna Tadini, Fabienne Luisier (Rohner), Benoit Luisier, Juan Barbed Isusi, Jon Hormaetxe Castells, Austris Cirulnieks, Sole García Fernández, Fernando Manzanares, Ana Rodríguez Rejón, PhD, Mapmelon, Ali Greene, César Alberca... The coliving community has shaped the person I am today, and I’ve never been as happy with myself as I am now. But now we have a bigger mission: to shape the future of living together. To transform the remote work philosophy into a positive impact on the places we inhabit, particularly those at risk of depopulation. Because the notion of individuality doesn’t work anymore (or perhaps it never did), and we achieve great things when we come together. Now it’s time to give back to the community. ?? I’m in the process of discovering how, but I’m fully committed!