DOLCE FAR NIENTE

The Sweetness of Doing Nothing

Italians don’t actually talk about Il Dolce Far Niente, they live it. It can be loosely translated as 'the sweetness of doing nothing’ and it is an inherent gift that Italians weave beautifully into everyday life. It’s an idleness that allows you to be intoxicatingly present in the moment, takes you to the world between worlds. It can happen when you are floating far away from the shore in a rubber ring mesmerized by the beauty around you, sitting with your feet up reading a newspaper with your pet dog, enjoying the afternoon breeze, or pausing seated on an upturned boat watching others play on the beach.

Il Dolce Far Niente is steeped in unhurriedness: it’s delightful, restful, mindful, fun, and very often playful; it can last five minutes or the whole day, you get to choose.

In a world that loves productivity, counting steps, ticking things of lists, screen obsession, and racing from one thing to the next, my series Il Dolce Far Niente - The Sweetness of Doing Nothing celebrates going slow, enjoying your life, taking time to be with yourself or those your love, being in the flow state, valuing rest as much as work, and being present whether it is the midst of playing a game of cards or feeling blissfully peaceful sitting on a beach surrounded by people.