Hi, I’m Megan, Treasurer for The Linguist this year and a fourth year French and Italian student. I’ve just finished my Year Abroad in Bologna, Italy. I found a real love and admiration for the Italian lifestyle there, particularly when it comes to their ideal of il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing). Perhaps passion and drama spring to mind when you think of Italy, but after having spent nearly a year of my life there, if there’s one thing I’d choose to retain in my own life, it would be their attitude to leading slower, more intentional lives.

In a modern world where people live with eyes glued to phones, bodies rushing to find the fastest route to their destination, and heads full of overwhelming worries and doubts, now is the time to take a leaf out of Italy’s book and make a return to living in the present and cherishing the smaller things in life. One of the most distinctive features of Italy’s slow pace of life is their emphasis on human connection and relationships. Notably, the Italian approach to eating is far different from the rushed freezer food dinners on the sofa that are prevalent in the U.K. Instead, moments of joy are found as family and friends gather around the table to share stories, memories, and delicious food for many hours at a time. From sharing an espresso in the mornings, to enjoying an aperitivo in the evening, unhurried, genuine human interactions are woven into the fabric of life in Italy.

The Dolce Vita concept simply translates as the ‘sweet life’ and plays an important role in the Italian mindset. It encourages prioritising time with family and friends, creating meaningful experiences, and living life by making the most of the present. After returning to the U.K, following my year abroad, one thing I really missed was how laidback everyone seemed to feel in Italy, all year round. On my half hourly walks to classes in the morning, I took time to observe all that happened around me. Young and old enjoying their passeggiatas (leisurely stroll) through town, perhaps stopping by a bar or café to sit with a cappuccino and a newspaper for an hour or two. 

This leisurely lifestyle is not made from laziness or lack of ambition. It simply reflects a thoughtfulness and intentionality that is unusual nowadays. Italy’s slow pace of life provides us with a reminder that there is beauty in simplicity, joy in connection, and wisdom in taking the time to savour life while enjoying the dolce far niente. As the modern world continues to accelerate, Italy invites us to rediscover the blissful serenity that comes with living intentionally and embracing a slower way of life. 

Megan Goddard