Dolce Vita Bloggers: Living La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita literally translates to The Sweet Life. It’s a phrase that is used often when describing Italy and its culture. And there are certain images that come to mind when you hear this famous phrase.
What images do you conjure up in your mind when you hear “la dolce vita”?
Perhaps, the famous scene in Fellini’s classic film, La Dolce Vita, when Anita Ekberg wades in the Trevi fountain with no cares in the world.
Or maybe, zipping through the streets of Rome on a Vespa with Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.
Or how about Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love indulging in a plate of spaghetti with a glass of red wine, complete with an Italian aria as a soundtrack to emphasis the wonder of such a simple yet delicious dish.
If you think about it, all of these images represent “La Dolce Vita”. Because La Dolce Vita, is a way of living.
It’s about taking life’s moments and living them to the fullest. Don’t hold back or deny yourself the pleasures and indulgences that are right in front of our eyes – whether its experiences, food or love!
Sure, life doesn’t always grant us the luxury of doing what we want, when we want, but there are many times when we can just let go and appreciate what makes life “dolce” without having to ignore or disregard our responsibilities.
If you think about it, “La Dolce Vita” is an attitude, and when we learn to embrace this simple and yet powerful way of looking at life, so many things change – at least they have for me. Coming from the western world where focus is spent on working, paying off loans and booking time weeks in advanced to see your friends, I’ve come to appreciate and admire the way Italians approach life.
You don’t need to indulge in extravagant things to live La Dolce Vita. It really is in the simplest things like…
Impromptu Meetups for Coffee or Spritz
Living in a small city makes this especially easy. Whether you bump into a friend on the Corso, or you get a message as you leave work – there is always a chance to take a moment and catch up with someone. I personally love these moments, especially nowadays when so many rely on text messages or social media to stay in contact with friends and family.
Getting to Know The Familiar Faces
Cosenza, being a small city, means that you often see the same people in the different places you frequent often – whether it’s the supermarket, local pub, pizzeria, coffee shop, etc. I love going to the supermarket and chatting with the deli guy or the cashier – sharing our experiences and ideas. Or going to one of my favorite restaurants and the owner offers me a little something extra on the house. This feeling of community isn’t always easy to find in bigger cities.
Time Isn’t Set in Stone
There are certain situations when I wish that Italians were more aware of time and time management – like when a public office opens late or closes early, or better still, a company has no set hours at all! However, I do like the idea of slow lunches, leisure evening walks and those extra special days when you don’t want to or need to look at a watch – because you just don’t care! Time spent with loved ones should never be rushed!
Don’t Deny Your Feelings
Italians are much more open when it comes to their feelings. If an Italian is attracted to you, you know it! Maybe it’s not love, but whatever it is, they will take it and run with it to find out. There are no pros and cons, what ifs or buts, only a let’s see where this goes. If you live or have lived in Italy, you know what I’m talking about – we’ve all got stories! Italian culture is also about showing affection – heck, we say hello by kissing cheeks! Maybe that’s why Italians are happier and more carefree because they don’t ignore or harness their feelings, they don’t filter or hide there emotions and they don’t have to.
You see, La Dolce Vita, is anything and everything that makes you smile, feel loved and appreciated, and thankful for life! It’s not complicated or impossible to accomplish – it’s all a matter of perspective!
What makes your life “dolce”? I’d love to know, so leave me a comment below!
As always, Grazie mille to our wonderful Dolce Vita Blogger hosts – Kelly of Italian At Heart, Jasmine of Questa Dolce Vita and Kristie of Mamma Prada for organizing this great link up!
If you haven’t already read my past contributions to the Dolce Vita Blogger Link Up, you can find them here!
Click on the image below to check out the other Dolce Vita Bloggers who are sharing their definition of La Dolce Vita.
Want to read past Dolce Vita Blogger Link-Ups? Check out the links below!
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #7 June 2018 – Italian Hidden Gems
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #6 May 2018 – Five Italian Words
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #5 April 2018 – The Perfect Day in Italy
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #4 March 2018 – International Women’s Day
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #3 February 2018 – A Love Letter to Italy
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #2 January 2018 – Favourite Italian City
#DolceVitaBloggers Linkup – #1 December 2017 – ‘The Italian Connection
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Kristie Prada
July 16, 2018 at 1:03 pmSuch a lovely read Lulu! It’s so true that even the little things make life sweet. We always think it has to be something exceptional. But as you say coffee with a friend is a perfect example of a simple sweet moment that makes your life better xx
LuLu
July 17, 2018 at 8:35 pmGrazie mille! I’ve always loved the small personal moments with friends and family over anything else.
Mara Bolotta
July 15, 2018 at 3:00 ammeditating while floating in my pool at night with the moonlight sparkling on the water. La dolce vita Toronto style. Doing the same activity in Calabria would take it up a notch. Love your insight and thoughts on your dolce vita. Love you lulu.
LuLu
July 16, 2018 at 8:31 amSounds perfect!! I miss you, I wish I was visiting this summer! Sending you lots of love and thinking of you always!
Image Earth Travel
July 14, 2018 at 12:44 pmGreat read – really enjoyed this post and photos!
Although not living in Cosenza as long as you have been, I can totally relate to all your points. Italy has a way of teaching you how to slow down…piano, piano (I think). 🙂
LuLu
July 16, 2018 at 8:29 amDoing things “piano, piano” was the hardest thing for me hahahaha even simply walking slowly was impossible – but I’m adjusting…..piano, piano hahaha
Kelly
July 13, 2018 at 6:04 pmCiao LuLu! I agree with everything that you mentioned that makes life sweet! I am naturally more “Italian” when it comes to time management and being impromptu…so that has always been a source of struggle for me in the US and a huge relief when I’m in Italy! I love how much more open Italians are with their feelings as well, it makes it easier to connect and I think it’s healthier for the mind & body too. I try to live all of these qualities even when I’m in the US…Italy has taught me so much! Thanks for being a part of #DolceVitaBloggers <3
Kelly
italianatheart.com
LuLu
July 14, 2018 at 7:44 amThanks Kelly, I realize that the pace of life here is more what I need. It was always a struggle in Toronto. I mean, here there are definitely struggles, but on the whole I think I’m much better off here.
Jasmine
July 13, 2018 at 7:41 amAdore, adore, adore all your points! “Maybe it’s not love, but whatever it is, they will take it and run with it to find out.” Haha, this is amazing. I’d love to live in a town even smaller than Bergamo as well, the only person I kinda see on a daily basis are the Chinese family where I get my takeaway and my cashier at the supermarket near my house! Hehe. Love, Jasmine of questadolcevita.com
LuLu
July 14, 2018 at 7:34 amThat’s what is so great about Cosenza, it’s big enough to feel like a city and has all the luxuries, events and places a city has but it’s still small enough to give you that village experience too!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets
July 12, 2018 at 5:27 pmYou had me at “impromptu meetups for coffee or spritz”. AMAZING!
LuLu
July 14, 2018 at 7:33 amOne of the things I love most about where I live – impromptu anything is much more possible! 🙂
Jenni LeBaron
July 12, 2018 at 4:35 pmI still haven’t seen La Dolce Vita and now I really want to. I love Roman Holiday so I’m sure I would love that too. Spending time in Italy as an expat must really be living the sweet life. I hope you’re enjoying every minute of it.
LuLu
July 14, 2018 at 7:32 amIt has its ups and downs, but it all depends on how you look at situations. I try and not focus on the negative side and indulge in the beautiful things there are to see and do here! 🙂
Sara Welch
July 12, 2018 at 4:25 pmI would love to travel to Italy someday. I would most likely go to the northern part; it seems more my pace.
LuLu
July 14, 2018 at 7:31 amI haven’t done a lot of travelling in the north, I adore the south! But, there are so many beautiful places in Italy, you can’t go wrong! 🙂
Joanna Clute
July 12, 2018 at 4:22 pmItaly was such an amazing experience. I loved every minute of being there.
LuLu
July 14, 2018 at 7:30 amIt’s such a beautiful place! Where did you visit in Italy?
Ishita
July 12, 2018 at 2:20 pmJust beautiful Lulu, I wish I was having that Spritz with you.. Oh well, someday!!
LuLu
July 14, 2018 at 7:29 amThank you, I really hope you can come to Calabria someday soon! 🙂 The Spritz is waiting!
Megan
July 11, 2018 at 3:51 pmI’m so jealous that you’re in Italy! I do agree about the business hours (or lack there of) is kind of frustrating, but the long meals are so nice! I’ve only visited Italy but even the train schedule is very relaxed haha. La Dolce Vita 🙂
LuLu
July 12, 2018 at 9:03 amHahaha It definitely takes some getting used to, but now instead of saying “This would never happen in Toronto…”, I just brush it off. It’s the way things are here and, essentially, also part of its charm! 🙂 Thanks for the comment! A presto!
Roberto
July 11, 2018 at 1:42 pmOh, this was a beautiful one! I wish all of my foreigners friends and colleagues would read that 🙂
LuLu
July 12, 2018 at 9:01 amThank you! 🙂 The negative things aside, you can learn a lot if you spend some time in Italy – I know I have! 🙂