How Slow Living in Italy Changed My Life
Slow Living in Italy
Have you ever traveled somewhere and had the thought, “I think I want to move here?" Something about the atmosphere, the pace, and the culture draws you in. I want to tell you how slow living in Italy changed my life.
The first time I visited Italy, there was something about it that made me want a part of the life there. The beauty and the history of it was mesmerizing for sure; but there was something deeper that was "calling" out.
As many of you know, I had the amazing opportunity to call Italy my home for over five years. It was during those years that I discovered what it is that seems to pull you in and beckons you to a new way of living.
When you are immersed into a culture and see it up close for what it is, you don’t have many options to choose from. You can push back. And you’ll be miserable! Or, you can embrace it. Thankfully, that’s what I did. And it’s that way of slow living that truly changed the way I live my life.
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What is Slow Living and What it’s Not?
Before we ask, “what is slow living?", we need to look at what it’s not. Slow living can be easily confused with simply denying yourself of modern conveniences. Think about the Minimalist Movement or an Amish lifestyle.
In a search for a slower pace, many people over the last decade have chosen to live a more minimal lifestyle. For many, it’s been empowering and freeing. However, you *can* adopt these minimal living practices while still being in a rush and unsettled in your inner spirit.
I do think that living with less can be a way to help you discover things about yourself. It can even remove some distractions to help you live more slowly. But, we have to remember that slow living isn’t merely the means to an end. It’s not a method that will make you into the person you aspire to be. You could end up still being you now. Does that make sense?
You can bake sourdough bread. You can make food from scratch. You can even grow your own food. But the acts themselves won't make you live slowly.
Instead, I tend to believe that slow living is the fruit that comes out of a lifestyle of choices made day in and day out. Those choices are made from a heart and mind that is settled. Settled and decided upon a specific set of values that play out in a slower way of life.
Simplicity of Slow Living in Italy
What is slow living in Italy then? Slow living in Italy is a way. It's an abitudine. It is the choice to find joy in quiet and simple pleasures.
For me, the simplicity of slow living is living with choices that reflect values of: contentment, simplicity, relationships, being present with others, appreciating nature, space to think and reflect. These kinds of values push you into this slow living pace.
How Slow Living in Italy Changed My Mindset
In some ways, I would say that slow living is a cyclical mindset. The more you push into the rhythms of the slow life, the more it makes you want to lean into it even more. It’s contagious.
If you get a taste of slow living and *really* taste the complexity of the flavors this simple lifestyle holds, it’s hard to go back. At least that’s how it was for me.
When I moved to Italy, I was tempted to push back in the beginning. I came to the table with an American mindset of productivity and more is better. The way things were in Italy were all so foreign. Everything. But I was open—open to see things differently and willing to learn. And what I learned changed me.
It also changed the way I think—changed my mindset. I look at life differently.
I don’t look at a day trying to see how much I can accomplish no matter how well of a job I did on each task. Instead, if I only get one thing accomplished, but I did it well and had time set aside to love people, then that was a far greater accomplishment overall!
After embracing this slow living lifestyle, I value walking slowly and taking my time to get somewhere. I take the long way home, just because the scenery is better. I even park as far away as I can so that I can walk more.
I value “interruptions” and margin in my life. When I see someone I know, I don’t have to avoid them because I might be late to my overrun schedule. Instead, I can appreciate the meeting and savor the conversation. I might even be able to savor a coffee with them too!
How Slow Living Helps me Appreciate Beauty
When you slow down, you see. I mean *really see* what you didn’t see before. I talk a lot about this aspect of slow living. It’s what is at the heart of Old World Italian. You can’t appreciate something if you don’t recognize it first.
My son understood slow living in Italy. He used to walk sooooo slowwwwwwly on our way to asilo (Italian preschool) in Rome. I would impulsively try to hurry him along. Yet, he taught me to be patient and appreciate things like the little snail on the stone wall I was about to miss. Have you ever really watched a lumaca? Fascinating! My little bambino spent his early years in Italy and he savored them. He helped me savor them too.
Do All Italians Live Slowly?
Do all Italians live slowly? Of course not. We’re all human and we are all different. We all have our unique personalities and values. And let’s be real; stereotypes are just that. However, culture does matter. Values and ways of living can be deeply embedded into cultures and societal norms.
To be completely honest with you, it was easier for me to embrace slow living when I lived in Italy. Perhaps it was because the Italians I knew and who were my friends held to these same values. But, a lot of it simply came out of the way life is in Italy. Things move piano, piano. But, don’t be discouraged! It’s *not impossible* to live slowly like an Italian wherever you are. It just requires intentionality.
How Slow Living Changed My Expectations
There aren’t expectations of productivity in Italy like there are here in America. Don’t get me wrong, Italians are not lazy people! I think their love and appreciation for this slow living life we are talking about gets people confused. Most Americans don’t know what to do with this concept. We place so much value on the hard work and the hours we put into something to see if it’s of any worth. Invece, Italians value creativity and they know that rest is required to be creative.
In Brunello Cuccinelli’s book, he talks about the way he runs his clothing company and his values behind the brand. For example, his employees have mandatory 90 minute lunches and are not allowed to work overtime. Cuccinelli's life story is fascinating. You can watch a short interview in english here.
Much of his story reflects these values we are talking about. No one would dare to argue Cuccinelli's success or accomplishment. Yet, he talks about how he can sit in silence for hours gazing at the flame of fire in his fireplace. Many would judge and say he’s wasting time and not creating. However, he attributes this valuable time for his mind to rest and think to give him creativity in his life and business.
I myself am adopting more and more of these quiet spaces and moments to think and be reflective. Just the other day, I had a task to do. It was a mundane task that kept my hands busy, but my mind wasn’t engaged. After a few hours, the creative ideas came to me one after the other. This process is important for us to do if we want to live slowly. We need to give our minds time, space, and permission to rest!
How You can Embrace Slow Living
If you’ve wanted to embrace this slow living but haven’t been sure how to get started, you can start with my free guide, Living La Dolce Vita. It will help you carve out the margin you need to live this Italian lifestyle. Try reading books and watching movies that inspire you to live like an Italian.
If you want a full-immersion experience, join me in Italy for one of my Slow Living Retreats. These uniquely designed retreats in the beautiful Italian countryside are perfect for people looking to lean into slow living and all it has to offer. Intentional workshops will give you space to appreciate, learn, and implement this slow living pace of Italy. The retreats will allow you to experience a different side of Italy that you may not have seen before. You will come back with a greater perspective and understanding of the old world Italian way of life and learn how to implement it back into your own life—wherever you call home. I would love for you to join me!
Here are some things you can do *today.* Sit. Bask in the sun. Breath deep. Watch the clouds while lying on your back. Savor the moment. The moments will give back to you more than you can imagine!
Here’s to slow living like an Italian. Salute!
xxSommer
