From my earliest years, I’ve been a maestro in the art of doing nothing, cherishing the Italian philosophy of ‘dolce far niente’—the sweetness of doing nothing. This enchanting expression encapsulates a profound cultural appreciation for the beauty of relaxation, leisure, and taking life at a leisurely pace. In Italy, it is not merely a moment of idleness; it’s an art, a way of life.

Incorporating this concept into our daily lives requires a shift in perspective. It’s about savoring the small joys, finding beauty in the ordinary, and allowing ourselves the luxury of an unhurried existence. The phrase embodies the idea that life’s sweetness is not solely derived from productivity but is equally present in moments of quiet reflection, shared laughter, and the appreciation of art and nature.

The art of doing nothing! Isn’t it delightful? I revel in the idea of having a day where I don’t have to do anything at all. However, many people despise idleness and pass judgment. Their self-worth and identity are tied to how much they accomplish. If they’re not constantly busy or hard at work, they feel useless.

This ‘art of doing nothing’ is often condemned by many. Yet, I find this relaxed way of navigating through life to be an elevated state of being. There are already enough people creating stress and tension for themselves. Isn’t it beautiful to achieve a relaxed state of being? In this state of ease, I find profound tranquility, a deep connection with all life around me, and an appreciation for the beauty of nature. In this ease, I can easily align myself with the rhythm of nature, rediscover my inner self, and experience my own gentle energy.

Within this gentle energy, I feel deep love for all life around me. I cherish lying by the water on the grass in the sun, observing how a mother coot feeds her chicks, or reveling in the beauty of the glistening wings of an insect landing on my leg. If I hadn’t taken the time to just simply be, I would miss out on so much of nature’s beauty.

In the last few years, I’ve had a unique opportunity to immerse myself in this relaxed state of being. In these moments, I felt deeply connected to the web of life around me—not just to mother nature but also to my own essence. People create such busy lives for themselves that they don’t have time for the most important relationship: a loving relationship with oneself.

There’s nothing wrong with hard work, as long as there is balance. By this, I mean genuinely loving your work with all your heart, making it your life’s passion. But how many people can honestly say this? Perhaps only 1% of the population, based on my observation. Many people yearn for the weekend.

Of course, you can take idling too far as well. Being complacent is also an imbalance. You don’t want to be the type of ‘couch potato’ who only eats junk food and watches television all day. Living like a stagnant pool of water—too passive, too little movement. No, it feels much better to flow through life. When you flow, the water becomes clear again.

You pursue your dream and use your fire to manifest your passion. However, if the fire is too strong, you get burned out. If it’s too weak, you experience a ‘bore-out’. In short, everything in balance.

Making time for both idling and passionately working towards your dream! Everything in moderation and everything in balance. In my view, working a maximum of three hours a day is sufficient. But if your work is genuinely your passion, then working longer isn’t a problem—it doesn’t feel like work because you’re doing something you love.

This story serves as an opportunity for self-reflection. Do you take enough time for yourself? Can you simply ‘be’ and enjoy the moment? Does the ‘dolce far niente’ sound appealing to you? Let me know in the comments.