No matter how efficient you are or how well you plan your day, you'll still encounter distractions, interruptions or just moments when your mind doesn't want to get on board with your grand plans for a productive afternoon. Maybe you sit and read a book. Maybe you stare out the window or balcony and listen to your favorite musician. Maybe you learn how to whistle, meditate, stretch, lounge, or (gasp!) nap. What can you do today to begin doing nothing? The pinnacle of this was one interview of a leader I was reading. She was asked. “what keeps you awake at night”. She said something to do with business results.

But Italians have a different approach. Most understand that keeping constantly busy often leads to anxiety, stress-related diseases and burnout. Dolce Far Niente – ‘the sweet art of doing nothing’ – is a state of complete idleness or blissful relaxation. Italians have figured out a way of being in the moment with such joy and blissfulness that they are not ‘looking forward’ to anything else. And while they may seem lazy from the outside, what I hope to convey with this book is that when they are apparently ‘doing nothing’, they are actually doing a lot. Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.This mode of thinking is revolutionary in its simplicity. Many of us search for relaxation by travelling to exotic locations, drinking to oblivion, or blotting out the noise of modern life with whatever our favoured crutch might be. But what if we were to let the chaos envelop us or sank into it like a hot bath? What if, instead of saving up our “fun quota” for an annual escape, we spread it over the minutes, hours, and days throughout the year and gave “enjoying life” a go? The Italians seem to. Other significant words include penichella, similar to the Spanish siesta; meriggiare, a poetic term that means “to pass the hottest hours of the day in the shade”; and abbiocco, a noun used to describe the sleepy feeling you get after a big meal. Drowsiness is such an art form in Italy that the phenomenon of doing nothing has been enshrined in the lexicon. Fighting that urge to just do, that puritan work ethic instilled in all of us at an early age, is just as much effort as going to the gym and doing the stair climber. Yet the results of our restraint are well worth the hassle. Scrolling newsfeeds or doing a load of washing instead of working can easily be labelled as procrastination, but when we are intentional about 'time-wasting' activities, such breaks can help sustain our focus for the work. While the entirety of “No Need To Argue” could find its place on a Top 10, these are two of my personal favorites that standout aside “Zombie.” Notable mentions include “Ode To My Family,” “The Icicle Melts,” and “Yeats’ Grave.” 6. “Warchild” from “To The Faithful Departed” State of being is literally that. Being in that moment so blissfully, with such joy that you are not “looking forward” to anything else.

Hand Drawn Dining Print - Dolce Far Niente - Wine and Glasses Illustration - Modern Kitchen Wall Art - Still Life Sketch - Eclectic Print That kind of relaxation. The la dolce far niente. The sweetness of doing nothing and enjoying where we are in the present moment is the greatest thanks we can give for the lives and blessings we have. Completing a task isn’t always just about having enough physical energy for it—you also have to care enough to actually expend that energy. You might have orka to throw a surprise birthday party for your best friend, but you might not have orka to study for a quiz that probably won’t affect your final grade.The first snowflake means that life is about to slow down, and settle into a calmer pace. After all, who can be out and about so much when the roads are sketchy? The first snowflake means that there is no chance for Summer to rear it’s out of season head and cause uncomfortable humidity and heat. The first snowflake means the earth gets a break. The first snowflake means future quiet evenings with a good book in front of the fire. The first snowflake means that while the plants are sleeping, the moisture has a chance to soak in and create the ability for rebirth in the Spring. The first snowflake means beauty as the brown, dead fields are covered with pristine white. This saying means “everything makes broth”. Quite simply, any small steps taken will, in the long run, help you to achieve a desired outcome. A cute book about the Italian way of life, I read most of it on the train which was really nice. It also made me crave pasta and other Italian foods. It is hard to miss the pride in many, when they say “I am working this weekend”, or “I am going on vacation, but I will be connected, so if you need, give me a shout.” (as if the world would stop functioning if they stopped working just for a while).

Fast but fascinating reading. For me personally, the constant repetition of paragraphs is a little frustrating, but I guess it's a metaphor for the repetition of Italian habits and the love of Italians for tradition. When there is always more to be done (and for most of us, that's most of the time), doing nothing becomes a process of actively deciding to detach from work-related activities.Perhaps most importantly of all, if we don’t take time to turn our attention inward, we lose a crucial element of happiness. It is all about balance and sometimes we need to do nothing. We need to experience the joy of doing nothing and the benefits it brings. Infact, “I am busy”, has almost become a status symbol. The busier you are, the more important person you are in the world.