Italy is one of those places I keep finding my way back to for good reason.
No, not just because of my Italian ancestry, but because Italians have figured out things about living well that I think the rest of us could learn from.
And to that end, here are some lessons that this beautiful, chaotic, passionate country keeps teaching me.
1. Pleasure is a practice
Italians don’t rush through anything – they savour it. The meal, the walk, the conversation… Joy isn’t something you earn after a day of hard work; it’s something you prioritize all day long. You don’t have to earn pleasure here- it’s yours to enjoy simply because you’re alive.
2. Aging is desirable
Italians worship history. They understand that everything worth savouring gets better with age: a fine wine, a romance, a cathedral. Even at the club, you’ll see twenty-somethings dancing to old Italian classics. In North America, we chase youth. Italians celebrate experience.
3. Confidence isn’t loud
The people here may be loud, but that’s just the way they talk. I’ve noticed the men here don’t try to prove their worth- they express themselves without apology. In North America, there’s an underlying sense of “please like me”. Here, it’s more like “this is who I am– take it or leave it.” (You might like reading more on Self Confidence, including quiet confidence which is one of my favourite life skills.)
4. Belonging is created, not found
Every evening, Italians of all ages gather in the piazza. Social time is a ritual here- and striking up conversations with strangers is the norm, not the exception. Belonging doesn’t just happen by accident; it’s built through consistency. You create it every time you show up, participate, and let yourself be seen. (You might like reading more on Cognitive Bias, which we all experience.)
5. Imperfection is character
The cracked walls of ancient Rome and the chipped tiles of Palermo don’t need fixing- and neither do you. They understand that perfection is sterile; our ‘flaws’ tell our stories and give us character.
Notice I didn’t mention earning more money, becoming more successful, or living up to anyone else’s standards?
They refuse to complicate it by focusing on the things that matter: the simple joys, seeing beauty in everything, and belonging.
I hope you’re finding your own version of la dolce vita, wherever you are in the world.
