Let’s make seriousness great again! — These days, a dear friend of mine resigned from a company whose General Manager was totally incompetent. He would say one thing and do another, not clearly defining the responsibilities of each role in the company, creating tremendous confusion. In a word, he is not a serious person. In Italian…

Happy parents → Serene and hopeful children. — In my childhood memories, my father was almost always nervous. It bothered him when my sister and I played noisily, left our toys scattered around the house, or spoke loudly in the car while he listened to the news on the radio. I thought he was always worried about something…

Where I’ve gotten to, at the age of 48, in my journey. — Hello friends, how are you? How was your Halloween night? In Italy, the tradition of dressing up scarily and knocking on doors asking “ trick or treat? “ was introduced relatively recently, mainly for commercial purposes. When I was a child in the 1980s, we only saw it in special…

It’s as essential as water, food, warm clothing, and medicine. — I take the train to go to work. When I arrive at the station, I walk along some of the grayest and gloomiest streets in Bologna, where there are tall, ugly buildings, few trees, and walls covered in graffiti. In the early morning, along with me, there are many other…

Discover a Solid Narrative Structure for Your Story! — Have you ever been captivated by a story that follows a protagonist on an epic adventure? From ancient myths to contemporary films, many narratives share a common structure known as the Hero’s Journey. This timeless story template takes us on a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and triumph. In this comprehensive…

How much less anger and frustration would be, and how much positive energy! — As December unfolds, a true chill sets in here in Bologna, marking the end of a gentle and warm autumn. The first signs of holiday decorations appear on balconies, streets, and shopping centers. However, December is also a time for reflection, especially in the professional realm. It’s the season for…

Archetypes offer profound insights into our desires, fears, flaws, and skills. — What are Jungian archetypes? Jungian archetypes are fundamental, universal symbols or patterns that Carl Gustav Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, proposed to exist in the collective unconscious of humanity. What does it mean archetype? In Greek, the word ‘ arché’ means original, while ‘ típos’ means model. In other…

Drowning in busyness: lessons from the swimming lane. — Every Saturday morning, I go to the swimming pool with my wife, Valentina, and my little son, Tommaso. Yesterday morning, I noticed that a lane mate of mine, swimming breaststroke, was struggling a lot, clearly putting in a great effort but moving very slowly. I’ve never been an agonistic swimmer…

By tapping into universal symbols and archetypes, authors can create narratives that resonate deeply with readers. — Navigating the intricate landscape of the human mind is not only a pursuit for psychologists but also a valuable endeavor for writers seeking to understand the depths of their characters. In this exploration, the concept of the collective unconscious, as introduced by Carl Jung, becomes a powerful tool for writers.