There's a concept I heard when I was younger that really stuck with me.

I believe it forms the basis of the values and beliefs I carry in life: "We only break rules when we know them."

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That's what sparked my interest in discipline.

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When I first started in photography back in my teens, I remember hearing and reading a lot about the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds composes an intentionally balanced image. In it, the subject of interest should be at one of the 'existing' points in the composed area. Thus, an imaginary (or not) grid is used to guide production. Whenever I encountered someone presenting the rule of thirds, I felt a discomfort. A certain laziness, something about it made me uneasy. While I thought it possible to go beyond to produce a good photograph, I didn't feel entitled to say otherwise, after all, I was just starting out. Years passed, and the conclusion about the rule of thirds is: it is necessary and a starting point, as it is the synthesized object of many theories for visual production.

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But the point is: the rule.

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The rule exists to organize. A world without rules is an unbalanced world. With rules too, but without them, one would have to rely solely on the other's common sense, and that is completely subjective.

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When we follow the rule with an open heart and a clear head, we bring discernment into the story. Discernment allows us to act without hysteria. It pulls us back.

After repeatedly following a rule, in a fixation mode, there comes a moment when the mind craves more. But not as an advancement in a competitive sense, but as something that has reached a point where one no longer knows why it's there. The exhaustive repetition of the rule without comprehension causes indifference. And then, if you persist a little longer, the moment comes when the switch flips: "alright, what if I do it differently?"

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This "what if I do it differently" is what causes transformation.

You see, it's not about doing it differently right from the start - not as proof or self-affirmation - but going through the process of understanding this possibility, with contextualization.

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From then on, the rule gains value as a foundation, not as an end in itself, and then we enter the realm of experimentation.

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I can perceive some situations in my life where I understood this concept and thought about it:

1. in the history of photography;

2. in college, when I got into scientific research and understood the degrees of seeking and disseminating materials. When focusing on research, a SciELO is much more interesting than a Google. A Lattes is much more relevant than a LinkedIn.

3. when I practiced Yoga. My teacher and I spent hours discussing the theory and philosophical part of the practice - before or after class. I remember one day I mentioned to him about an author X I was interested in and wanted to know his opinion on the works. His response stuck with me: 'He's not bad, but he's good to start with. There will come a time when he won't make sense to you anymore, so don't use him as an absolute reference.' Since then, I've taken that phrase as guidance for many things in life;

4. in running, when I understood that doing the right thing repeatedly - like starting with a fast pace to warm up and get the body in place and gradually decreasing until the point where my body allows, not what I idealize - leads to evolution;

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There comes a moment when the rule no longer serves you - and not because it's untrue, but because, in your moment of life, it no longer makes sense.

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Thus, the rule fulfills its function. It gives you the foundation and directs you to the next steps. The point is: you have to want it and understand that you're prepared for the next step. Some people stay at the base, and that's okay.

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The great thing about breaking the rule is knowledge. It's continuous execution with analysis, an open heart, and a clear head (another motto I carry with me). No more, no less. Without putting oneself on a pedestal or diminishing oneself. It's a dry action. Breaking the rule by itself is nonsense; it's a noisy and thoughtless act. Consciously breaking the rule (after so much experimenting with fixation, after gathering mental notes and synthesizing the pros, the cons, and the facts) and understanding how it connects to you is a delightful act.

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Then, and only then, do we enter the realm of freedom.

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Freedom is the choice of change. And this choice usually comes out of necessity. Freedom without rule/routine/base is just hysterical impulse.

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What once caused me unease now fascinates me. Nothing brings me more peace than routine and order. This applies to work, training, and family. Perhaps this is my benchmark for observing evolution and a way to apply self-analysis with great satisfaction.

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Research and apply