YOUR GUIDE TO EXPERIENCING DOLCE FAR NIENTE

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Slow down, you crazyyyy chilllddd…and simply lay back and watch the world float by.

The Italians call it “dolce far niente” which roughly translates to the sweetness of doing nothing. We say “roughly” because you’ll soon discover in this article that it isn’t easy to encapsulate the rich and complex emotion of dolce far niente—something so naturally part of the Italian way of life—in the language of strangers such as ourselves. Read on to learn how you can make it a part of your life too!

Get ready, we’re going to be saying “dolce far niente” a lot. Here’s how the little voice in your head should pronounce it:

It’s quite ideal, this sweet idleness. I mean, these days most of us can hardly find the time to enjoy a cup of tea at home without rushing to answer the endless doorbells, or listen to the birds chirping away without wondering what’s next on your ever-looming to-do list, or just sit down opposite a friend and comfortably share a moment of silence over a warm meal.

Think about it:

The weather is lovely and breezy, you notice the warm, orange-diffused sunrays light up your skin as you sip a cup of coffee. You take a leisurely walk in the afternoon and spend the whole evening laughing and chatting with your friends and family over a bottle of wine and some crackers. Dolce far niente is all about being. Not living, doing, running, rushing, pacing, stressing, worrying. Just being.

Sounds perfect right?

Maybe we don’t all get to be Julia Roberts in “Eat, Pray, Love” but we’ll show you how you can learn to live that way.

Allow yourself to live in the present moment; slow down, appreciate, and find joy in the here and now.

Here’s how:

1. Disconnect!

Living in the Moment 101 is learning to disconnect. Put away the gadgets, unplug from social media, shut down your laptop, and switch off your phone. Step away from the digital world, your notifications can wait. Put away anything that might distract you and try being attentive to the present. Idleness and leisure doesn’t mean scrolling through your phone. Take a break and connect with yourself or your loved ones. Just take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while. It’s all right, you can afford to lose a day or two…

2. A Full Heart and a Full Mind

At the core of dolce far niente lies the act of being mindful. Learn the art of living in the present through meditation, breathing, and yoga. Tap into your inner artist and create something! Art can do wonders in bringing your focus into one place. So draw, sketch, paint, write, and sing your heart out.

3. Boy, Am I Lucky to Have You in My Life

Take some time in your day to sit down for solo thinking. Don’t worry, you won’t be forced to confront your darkest desires or spiral down a path of misery. Just reflect on the day, think about all the people in your life and express your gratitude for their presence. We wouldn’t be who we are without the people who surround us.

4. Start the Clock

If you run on a schedule and your Calendar plans your day, set aside time for leisure, relaxation and doing nothing. Making it a part of your life, rather than an optional extracurricular activity will make it much easier to embrace the spirit of dolce far niente.

5. My Cozy Nook

Set aside not only time but also space for your mindful moments! Create your personal, comfort spot where you can indulge in reading, listening to music, or even resting.

There you have it!

It’s time to put your feet up without the weight of guilt. Dolce far niente is a way of life (whether you’re in the middle of the week or on vacation). It definitely goes a lot deeper than a trending Instagram audio for reels or an advertisement for elegant men’s wear.

Sophie Minchilli, author of “The Sweetness of Doing Nothing”, says dolce far niente is about family, friends, food and leisure. It’s all about making small changes to your life that will lead to bigger changes in the long run. However you choose to practice it, the end goal is simple: “Khao, piyo, aish karo!” (Translation: Eat, drink, enjoy life!).

Whether you’re in Italy, India or anywhere else in the world, it feels good to live in a time where we can all experience the sweetness of doing nothing. At least you’ll feel like Julia Roberts for a while, and who wouldn’t want that? So the next time you walk by a sign that says, “You deserve a break today,” believe it. Because hell yeah, you do.