The Dolce Vita Lifestyle

Self-care goes beyond simply looking at your reflection in a mirror and telling yourself how much you like yourself, as former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi reportedly used to do. Caring for yourself should translate into routine practices designed to foster your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. I’m not talking about spending all day obsessing over yourself, but rather, building positive ways of living into the important areas of your life.

I wrote my newest book, 45 Ways to Live Like an Italian: Italian-Inspired Self-Care Traditions for Everyday Happiness   after years — both on a personal and professional level—of  exploring (and adhering) to the richness of traditional Italian cultural lifestyle principles. To this day I abide by habits that emphasize slowing down the pace in order to be more fully present in everything to which I devote my precious (and limited) time on this earth.  Also important are tendencies that prioritize spending time with people who celebrate and value you for who you are. Taking a joyful attitude towards preparing home-cooked meals using fresh, local ingredients, and sharing what you make with others. Filling at least a part of your day with the music you love. Making time to read a chapter of a book that inspires you. Or just resting as in the “dolce fare niente” (sweetness of doing nothing). Ground yourself in the sensory experience of nature. It is a gift that doubles as a free stress-reduction tool.  Develop practices that honor both the external and internal aspects of your body because this God-given form really is the temple that carries you through your entire journey of life.  Stimulate your mind through lively conversation or learning a new mental or physical skill. Express your creativity—write, draw, craft, sing, or try out for a role in your local community theater. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed creativity is divinely inspired. It is a reminder that we are more than just work-related tasks and chores that are just strung together without coherent purpose.

Caring for yourself Italian style, is not only about the positive actions you take to increase your well-being; it is also about refraining from what harms your body, mind, or spirit. Like falling into a de-motivating sedentary routine. Our bodies need sunshine, exercise, movement.  Strive to pass up junky snack foods and fast food and choose foods with more nutritional value that foster good health. And while it’s great to stay informed, we need to respect our emotional well-being by putting a limit on exposing ourselves to upsetting news stories or acquaintances that seem to thrive on gossip and negativity.  Eliminating relationships with people who don’t value you can also be an action of self-respect and self-care.

 My observations and studies have taught me these and other guiding principles and keys to happiness, which I write about in the beautifully illustrated book, of which I am so very proud to share with the world, especially in these troubling times.  While humans cannot escape loss, sorrow, disappointment, heartbreak, even occasional fear and anxiety, we can arrange our actions and what we surround ourselves with to make our life happier. Self-care is the salve that softens life’s rough edges, gives us the strength to go forward, and helps to return us to a state of joyful, appreciative living.

©Raeleen D’Agostino Mautner 2024

PS: Mille Grazie to all my new subscribers. Please share this blogpost with anyone to whom you would like to spread some cheer xo