Echilibrum: 5 editions built on the dialogue between students and guests about managing emotions, performance, and fears

Echilibrum all the way
 
At the border between a high volume of tasks and waves of thoughts, expectations, and desires, lies a creative and persistent soul, ready to find the peace they need. The recipe? A dash of inspiration and energy from dedicated people present at the event that helps us better understand our priorities in the chaos of student life. In a note as captivating as it is motivating, Echilibrum marked the end of its fifth edition, leaving behind new perspectives on how we perceive emotions, externally imposed standards, and, above all, balance. The students present had the chance to listen to the experiences of the guests, who added value through constant interaction with the audience and their feedback.
 
The Echilibrum Story: among dreams in motion
 
As we have become accustomed since the first edition on March 14, 2022, Echilibrum has become the place where the roles we play every day gain meaning and are carefully managed. Whether we are talking about university, jobs, personal projects, or time dedicated to oneself, the event demonstrated that we must consider the context, the goals we set, and the emotions that overwhelm us. This project has evolved through each edition, bringing stories to students that directed their attention toward the mechanisms behind fear, the tools through which we can manage it, and understanding the causes that trigger them and their effects. Among the topics addressed this year were: fear of public speaking, burnout, anxiety, and procrastination, current themes intensely discussed in the media space.
 
Every idea deserves to be spoken
 
Mihaela Gînju, partner and director of ERUDIO, with experience in communication and leadership, opened the event with a calm and welcoming attitude; her speech debuted with an explanation of the origin of emotions, delimiting internal ones from external ones. Often, internal emotions are those that interfere with our ability to deliver a speech in front of an audience without feeling fear. The emphasis was placed on understanding the process underlying the emergence of the fear of public speaking, explaining the mechanisms through which the fear of the unknown, failure, and rejection from a community appear. The community that people want to belong to and the one that supports them proved to be important. Participants also received practical advice, such as being open to discussions with friends about a subject they are passionate about, emphasizing the importance of a united community in overcoming fears. Against the backdrop of the experiences discussed and the echo produced by emotionality and gestures, students practiced breathing techniques to diminish the incipient emotions in our lives. Mihaela Gînju demonstrated to us that the emotions that seem to take over actually show that we truly care about the work invested and the people in front of us. Any idea we have and wish to share deserves a voice, because silence caused by fear becomes an untapped opportunity.
 
Live the moment, not the agenda
 
In the same energetic formula, Oana Bianca helped participants discover the secrets behind burnout. A resident doctor and content creator with a solid emotional background, she defined her own concept of balance, which does not require a recipe or fitting into limits and requirements. Explaining that there is no standard program to follow, but only the fulfillment of tasks based on their relevance and the stage of life we are in, Oana exemplified a fragment of her professional and personal experiences. She highlighted the effects that aspirations based on ideals have on us, the solution being the acceptance of our own limits without becoming complacent. Through a dynamic approach, she focused on how we can prioritize our tasks, find motivation, avoid procrastination, and accept negative emotions and disappointments. She spoke about the importance of practical experiences we live through, avoiding competition with others, and moving away from standards of perfection. She encouraged students, regardless of circumstances, to focus as much as possible on their practical knowledge and skills and to make their way through this sea of opportunities that awaits them. Her empathetic and charismatic presence managed to maintain the audience's attention and convey confidence, confirming that there is a right time to play any role we propose for ourselves, whether in a personal or professional plan. All these valuable tips were offered in an open environment where students could express their opinions during the Q&A session.
 
The desire to excel: the echo of anxiety and procrastination
 
The one who reoriented the participants' attention toward community is none other than Deni Elena, a content creator and authentic presence in the online environment, who has accustomed us to the sincere style in which she presents her experiences and opinions. Deni invited us to change the lens through which we view anxiety, understanding the variety of forms in which it can appear and how it manifests affectively. She brought the twist and energy characteristic of the young generation, a community that redefines topics that are not talked about enough. Deni led us through the universe of our feelings, viewed from the perspective of a law student who uses reflection exercises. Participants were presented with two situations from the guest's life, and they identified which of the two generated anxiety and why. They were encouraged to stop seeking perfection and instead look for the drive necessary to complete a project important to them. Deni pointed out that anxiety comes from fear, from the desire to excel. Receiving questions, the audience shared moments that generated anxiety for them, increasing the level of emotional connection and involvement. They discovered that procrastination is also a way in which anxiety manifests and that the alarming wave of thoughts in our minds can cause physical problems. Among her tips were avoiding perfectionism, analyzing things that do not go well to anticipate future events, and reducing activities we do on "auto-pilot."
 
Balance deserves to be rewarded
 
Echilibrum could not have flourished in its fifth edition without the Students' House of Culture, which represented not only a location but also a partner in our journey, alongside whom we have aimed since the first edition to inspire and motivate students during their personal and professional paths, which require maintaining balance. Participants and organizers appreciated the atmosphere created during the event. Right from the entrance, people were greeted with a card featuring four engaging challenges, the first inviting them to sweeten up with KitKat, which drove the dynamics of future interactions between participants and the BOS team. Together, they completed all the challenges on the cards from the entrance, which were used to enter the Echilibrum-branded raffle. This centered on the unique experience and prizes offered by: Locked In - escape room discounts; Berliner - donut discounts; Electric Castle - advantageous ticket discounts; Museum of Senses - double invitations and discounts; Therme - double invitations to the Herbarium festival. We also thank Philips and all the mentioned sponsors who took the Echilibrum experience to the next level!
 
The story is written with each generation
 
Even though the fifth chapter of the Echilibrum adventure has come to an end, the project that brings spring and peace to the student's soul continues with new surprises, challenges, and unforgettable memories. This year's edition answered many of the questions from participants interested in anxiety, burnout, procrastination, public speaking, and methods to navigate the universe created by these, understanding that there is no standard recipe. They interacted with passionate and involved speakers in an open framework offered by partners, sponsors, and the BOS team. Edition 5 showed the importance of dialogue about personal development and balance, becoming a landmark for future editions and continuing to decipher the mysteries caused by emotions, fears, and standards!
 
The Echilibrum story continues to guide students on their journey, demonstrating that the balance between personal and professional life is not a final destination, but a road we travel more easily together!