Flow – Q & A: Alessandro Abis, Italy

We see the flow of life, like a river – as one great flowing journey. The essential flow of life is achieved when we understand the concept of flow and can integrate into everything we do. As part of a regular series, we are asking people we know, people we have discovered and people we are inspired by, to share with us some insights into their life, their work and what being in flow means to them. 

Q. Tell us about yourself and what you do

My name is Alessandro Abis. I’m 46 years old and an Environmental Engineer. I’m passionate about nature, traveling and outdoor sports and my home – the small island paradise of Sardinia. After many years working in the mining industry, I decided to completely change my life, so I literally came out from underground and decided to follow the sun! I had previously lived in a van in Australia and New Zealand for nine months and had been on safaris in Namibia, using equipped four-wheel drive vehicles with rooftop tents. I took inspiration from my travels and decided when choosing a career to open a small business related to tourism, so I adapted that adventure travel concept to Sardinia and this is how Follow the Sun Sardinia was born! I rent out fully equipped camping cars – tiny orange Pandas with a rooftop tent, shower, gas stove, table, chairs and more for the coolest Sardinian adventure! I also organize breath taking full day activities like hiking or stand up paddling excursions, and guided outdoor expeditions, which are adventurous three days journeys across the island. Wanna come?!

Stand up paddling at La Maddalena © Follow the Sun Sardinia

The Supramonte region of central Sardinia © Follow the Sun Sardinia

 Q. Why do you do this profession? 

At that time of my life, just four years ago, I had the undeniable need to get closer to nature and to my passions, so I looked for a job in tourism. But I knew I wanted something really different, so that’s how the idea for Follow the Sun Sardinia came about. Follow the Sun is a way for me to share the stunning beauty of my island with people from all over the world. It’s a fully sustainable project that allows people to explore the beautiful coastline of Sardinia, without impact and by leaving no trace behind when they leave. It’s the best way for people to have an adventure into the wilderness, but only two hours away from central Europe. I realized that I’m most happy when I can see that people still feel good while living life in the simplest way – that gives me something that I couldn’t have with any other job.

Alessandro Abis © Follow the Sun Sardinia

Q. What does being in flow mean to you?

I still don’t know if I’m perfectly in flow now, but I’m definitely more in flow than I was ten years ago! Like lots of people in Italy, I studied and worked for many years, in a field that I didn’t feel was for me. When I think back, most of that time was like trying to swim against the flow, like a salmon! Everything was hard and difficult, while now is natural and easy. It’s still challenging, because I completely changed my life when I was already 42, but I feel comfortable now. So, to answer the question: being in flow to me means being comfortable and natural in what I do. It means to do my job while smiling at people, it means surfing the waves and not swimming against them!

The important thing is that the direction of flow may change during our life, and some of us may have a more turbulent flow at different times, that makes things more complicated. Being by the sea so much, I see that the currents of the flow may go in crazy directions, but everything is part of our life and flow makes sure we decide to live it in the best way!

By Alessandro Abis

You can contact Alessandro by email or learn more about him, on the Follow the Sun Sardinia website.