What a month in Spain taught me about Presence, Connection, and Career Growth

Spending a month in Spain was more than just a getaway—it was a lesson in being present, nurturing relationships, and recognizing how past experiences shape future opportunities.

I started the year with Presence as my focus word, aiming to be more intentional in my actions, relationships, and career. This trip became the perfect way to put that into practice.

From deep conversations with old friends and spontaneous meetups to professional reflections on AI governance and career evolution, my time in Spain reinforced the importance of showing up, reaching out, and embracing both personal and professional growth.

Here’s how this journey unfolded—and the key takeaways I’m bringing into the rest of the year.

A Week of Reflection and Reset

I started with a full week of vacation—no work, just time to breathe, reflect, and realign. I took a workshop on goal setting and reflection, reinforcing the importance of stepping back before stepping forward.

During this time, I focused on:

? Health – Walking by the beach, moving my body, and eating fresh, local food.

? Joy – Prioritizing activities that make me feel fulfilled.

? Disconnection – Creating space to think without distraction.

Four-Day Workweek

After my reset, I shifted into a 4-day workweek, taking Fridays off to make space for exploration and long weekends. This rhythm gave me:

?? Deep work focus during the week.

?? Flexibility to travel and reconnect with people.

?? A better balance between productivity and well-being.

Presence in Relationships: Reconnecting & Reinforcing Bonds

One of my goals this year is to deepen my relationships, and this trip became a beautiful way to do so:

?? Professional Presence:

• I visited Tatiana Caldas-L?ttiger , founder of International WoMenX In Business For Ethical AI (IWIB4AI) Think-Tank , the think tank I’m part of. Over walks by the beach and great food, we discussed the past year’s achievements and the future vision as the think tank nears its one-year anniversary.

• In Valencia, I met David Roldán Martínez , another advisor in the think tank. Sitting in a neighborhood restaurant where everyone seemed to know each other, I was reminded of the power of genuine, engaged community—something we sometimes forget in fast-paced digital spaces.

?? Personal Presence:

• Reconnecting with my former dance and model student, Denise Olsson : One of the most special moments of my trip was when Denise reached out after seeing my Facebook post that I was in Torrevieja. I first met her when she was four years old at a dance and model school where I was an assistant dance teacher and fashion choreographer. Over the years, I saw her grow into a talented dancer and model, and now, years later, she is a mother of three, on maternity leave, spending a year in Spain with her family. We spent a long evening over dinner, reflecting on the values we teach our children, how childhood experiences shape us, and what truly matters in life. Seeing how much we still shared in terms of perspectives and values was deeply meaningful.
• A long, unforgettable afternoon turning evening with Maribel álvarez and her friends in Valencia: On Saturday, I met up with Maribel, Rut and Toni for lunch, and what started as a meal turned into hours of fascinating conversation. We talked about life in Sweden vs. Spain, cultural differences, and of course—food. We shared grilled artichoke, sepia (grilled cuttlefish, similar to calamari), followed by oysters, smoked fish, and other seafood at different restaurants. The conversation flowed so well that we continued on to a bar, chatting late into the evening. Eventually, when her friends went on to dinner, Maribel and I called it a night, but before heading to my hotel, I took their advice and walked through Valencia’s park that was once a river, now transformed into a beautiful green space cutting through the city.

• A surprise dinner with my sister-in-law in Torrevieja: While in Torrevieja, I had borrowed an apartment from one of my sister-in-laws. Unexpectedly, my other sister-in-law reached out—she happened to be in her own apartment there at the same time. She invited me to dinner with her friends, and since she is a restaurant owner, the food was incredible. We spent the evening talking about everything and nothing—life, parenting, vacations, and just enjoying the moment—and it reminded me how much spontaneous connections can bring so much joy.

Parallels Between Past and Present Work: From Digital Strategy to AI Governance

One unexpected yet meaningful moment during my trip was when my former manager reached out to me to connect on Google Meets. We hadn’t spoken in years—aside from briefly crossing paths in the city once or twice over the past decade—but he had played a pivotal role in shifting my career trajectory so I was happy to catch up.

We reminisced about the time when I was transitioning from traditional marketing to digital strategy, working with Google AdWords, SEO, and early data-driven advertising. Back then, structuring and managing data effectively was crucial, even if we didn’t call it governance. We needed clear naming conventions, accurate tracking, and structured data to ensure consistent insights and long-term optimization.

Now, in AI Governance, many of the same principles apply, but on a more complex and high-stakes level:

?? Ensuring AI model transparency – Documenting the inputs, outputs, and decision-making processes behind AI models.

?? Establishing governance frameworks – Defining policies for AI ethics, bias mitigation, and regulatory compliance (especially with the EU AI Act now in force).

?? Managing risk and accountability – Ensuring AI systems are auditable, explainable, and aligned with legal and ethical standards.

?? Data integrity for AI training – AI models are only as good as the data they learn from, making high-quality, unbiased data crucial for responsible AI.

What struck me the most was how much our early conversations about structured data, automation, and digital marketing had foreshadowed many of today’s AI governance challenges. The stakes may be higher now, but the core principles remain the same—clarity, accountability, and responsible use of technology.

Presence in Learning: AI Governance & the EU AI Act

Returning to Sweden, I immediately dove into a Masterclass on AI Literacy & AI Governance led by Tatiana Caldas-L?ttiger, just as the EU AI Act came into force on February 2nd.

This reinforced something I strongly believe in—we need to be present in learning, evolving with technology, and ensuring AI is governed responsibly.

Final Reflection: The Power of Reaching Out

If there’s one thing my time in Spain taught me, it’s this: reach out to people.

?? Whether it's a friend you haven’t spoken to in years, a former mentor, or even a casual acquaintance—you never know how much one message can spark a meaningful conversation.

?? Some of the most beautiful moments of this journey came from unexpected meetups, spontaneous invitations, and simply saying "yes" to connection.

?? In a world that moves fast, where we often get caught up in routines, taking a moment to truly be present with others is a gift.

So, as you read this, I encourage you—is there someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to? A former colleague, an old friend, someone who made an impact on your life? Take the step. Send the message. You might be surprised at where the conversation leads.

What About You?

Have you set a focus word for 2025? How are you embodying it so far? And, more importantly—who will you reach out to this month?

Let’s talk in the comments! ????