Lessons From A Tuscan Life

Fresh off a family trip to Tuscany, I can’t help but think that we’re doing it all wrong. Everywhere you look – on the internet, in news stories, popular literature, and social media – we tout the need to slow down and appreciate the good things in life. As hard as we try, our culture can make our attempts feel like swimming upstream.

While it’s arguable that Italians have certain improvements they could make, they do seem to have a few things figured out. As the world changes pace, their small boot-shaped country is preserving a lifestyle that feeds to basic human desires and encourages a life of love, beauty, and happiness. For some, it may seem archaic, but there a few lessons we could all take from the Tuscan way of life.

tuscany photos

tuscany photos

Grow

Every Italian has a little garden. It may just be a terrace or it may be a whole plot, but they open their lives up to nature, and in doing so, feed their connection to the earth. They mix gardening for sheer beauty with gardening for sustenance; beautiful blooms rest amongst basil and rosemary. When dinner time rolls around, leaves are picked, chopped, and sprinkled into a delicious meal. Some houses serve olive oil grown and pressed on the premises. The practice surrounds them with so much freshness and ties them to the earth in beautiful ways.

tuscany photos

tuscany photos

tuscany photos

Cook

Cooking is an art that connects us. When we take the time to source ingredients at a small outdoor market, we become connected with the origin of our meal and the people who make it happen. When we take the food home to chop and cook, we connect to our creativity and develop a sense of self-sufficiency. When the meal is ready and we share it with family and friends, we’re connected with the ones we love over conversation and a shared experience. It is the ultimate tie from earth, to soul, to culture, to relationships. Not to mention, a life in which we come together over food is healthier. When we cook for ourselves we avoid the sugars, chemicals, and over-processed goods that fill shelves everywhere.

tuscany photos

tuscany photos

tuscany photos

Slow Down

Most Americans are appalled to find out that Italians take the entire month of August off. Cities shut down, production stops, and people flock to the mountains and beaches for a month of rest. This cultural acceptance of the need to slow down is something Americans can learn from. Here, we feel guilty for resting and recharging, but really, it is elemental to our success as human beings. While our society may never change its view, that doesn’t mean you can’t. If anyone or anything makes you feel bad for slowing down once in a while, shut it out of your mind and let yourself be. You know you’re doing what’s right.

tuscany photos

tuscany photos

Connect to Beauty

For Italians, beauty is a basic need, not a a luxury. It is something they’ve always fought hard for, and have led the world in creating. They build beauty into everything they do because it’s a must. Having it in your life is a reason for being. It gives you cause to wake up in the morning, and to appreciate the things around you. While it may sound materialistic, it is more a mechanism for staying inspired. We all need a little beauty to fuel us. The access to it is a search we should never give up on.

tuscany photos

Family

The concept of an Italian family is not a myth. Second cousins twice removed are as much your kin as anyone. The amount of time, energy, and love that they put into family is awe-inspiring. Families support each other in a community-like sense that we don’t see much of in other parts of the world. At the end of our lives, when we’re done with the job, when that goal is accomplished, who is going to be there for us? Don’t forget to put as much time and love into family, or the people that matter to you, as you do the other areas of your life.

You’ve heard what I can learn from a life in Tuscany. I’d love to know, what life lessons have you taken from other parts of the world?

Be sure to check out Naomi’s blog Numie Abbot.

0 0 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
14 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
9 years ago

it is pretty much the same in Spain and in France (except perhaps from the family side of things in France but then, it depends on the family), it is probably more a south european thing actually :)

9 years ago

I spent a summer in Buenos Aires, Argentina and what amazed me the most was their love of holidays. It seems like once a month there is what my British ex-pat roommate called a “bank holiday.” On these days, damn near everyone was closed for business. People went to parks for tea/beer/picnics. People just hung out and loved life and each other. It was beautiful, and in my opinion healthy, just like you pointed out. Every time Americans have a “holiday” that is really just an excuse for overtime and sales, it actually makes me a tiny bit sad because I remember everyone’s joy out of these days off in BA. This is why I personally choose to use “bank holidays” as days of rest, enjoyment, and free fun in the park. It’s cathartic.

9 years ago

I spent my summer in Tuscany too! I try to go back at least once a year to visit friends. I’ve learned that it’s near impossible to fully live in two places at once. I bring the bare necessities to keep my business running while abroad but do my best just to enjoy my time in Italy to the fullest while I can.

9 years ago

Beautiful photos and tips

http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com/

9 years ago
Sara
9 years ago

The way they live is awe-inspiring. My childhood best friend is Italian and her family most definitely lives that lifestyle here in CA. Hoping to plan a trip to Italy sometime in the next few years – that is 100% something I need to experience for myself!

xoxo Sara
http://www.restlessnomads.com

9 years ago

Wow, I really need a vacation Italian style!!! So Wonderfully written!!! Thank you for sharing your lovely experience.

The Weaver Of Words…..give me 15 words and I’ll tell you a tale
http://www.averyfairytale.wordpress.com

aman
9 years ago

One day one day I will make to italy! Thank u for the inspiration!
Lifturbum.blogspot.ca

Margo
9 years ago

Such an inspiring post! <3 in love with Italy <3
http://www.it-girlinitworld.com/

9 years ago

So beautiful! Tuscany is on my bucket list but until then, thanks for letting me see it in your pix!

9 years ago

Italy is such a beautiful country…
Really beautiful photos.

x,
Maïa
http://wildandfolkheart.com

Michaela
9 years ago

I’ve been living in Vietnam for the past few months, and will continue living here for quite a while longer. What I’ve learned in my time here reflects a lot that you describe about Tuscany. One thing in particular, the emphasis on *community*. Something that has seemingly fallen through the cracks of the 21st century in America. People take care of each other. Kids run around the streets without a care, because everyone is watching them so no *one* person has to. With the sense of community, the acts of a larger network of humans working together, come other things. Cooking for neighbors and family and friends, growing food for everyone to enjoy, taking time to rest. I believe community is at the base of all of these things. The Vietnamese people in our neighborhood have certainly adopted us (my fiance and I) into their community and the feeling is something I will never forget. It’s something I will attempt to recreate wherever and whenever we end up back home.

That is a beautiful blog post in photos and sentiment – just reading it refreshes me and reinforces that slow living ethic. If more people lived like this the world would be so much better off.

8 years ago

This is just gorgeous !*love* it all as the messages, the pictures and the quality of the writing. Thanks !