“La dolce vita” is literally translated into “the sweet life”. The term has been used to describe the sweet life or the good life, time and time again. Defined, it typically means a life of indolence and self-indulgence. To me, however, la dolce vita is your best life. The life you’ve created and worked hard to obtain. It can be your every day, or a series of great moments culminating in your happiness. What constitutes my dolce vita, won’t be the same for you, obviously. I’m content with a good book and an opportunity to look at the sea, or a walk through a park with a cone of gelato.
The title of the blog is DIY Dolce Vita because I am obsessed with DIY (do-it-yourself) projects and crafting a great life is no different. My friends will know when faced with home projects, I love to learn, experiment and figure out how to complete them by myself (or, in the case of the many light fixtures I’ve installed, with a spotter nearby holding the ladder). I have installed vanities, toilets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, flooring, faucets, water filtration systems and much more using the help of YouTube, trial and [lots of] error, and elbow grease. My own dolce vita is years in the making and likewise involves a lot of trial and error and hard work, albeit much less YouTube videos.
So, in the spirit of DIY, I have spent countless hours reflecting on, researching (I also love research) and experimenting with this concept of a dolce vita. I’m far from understanding completely my ideal best life, but I have thought through aspects including relationships, work, finances, locations, climate, type of dwelling, health and well-being. This blog is committed to sharing insights to inspire you to find the dolce vita of your dreams. Perhaps you already have the secret recipe, but if you’re like me and still crafting your best life, then hopefully you’ll appreciate this blog.
In the hustle of all your daily responsibilities, have you thought about what your dolce vita looks like? Here are some questions to guide you (the more you know yourself, the easier it will be to pinpoint your answers):
- What do you like to do in your spare time? Or realistically, if you had hours of spare time every week, how would you use it?
- Do you have hobbies or did you at one point? Is there a way to incorporate those hobbies into your life again?
- What kind of traveller are you? Do you like to plan every step of your trip or prefer to have it catered? Do you like beach vacations or prefer an adventurous, active trip to explore? Are you more of a homebody, preferring the simple comforts of home to travelling the world?
- If money were no object (i.e. you didn’t need to work) how would you spend your perfect day? Month? Year?
- Do you have a passion for some subject you’ve always wanted to explore? Is there a cause or community you have thought about helping in the past?
- What is your favourite memory of an experience that gave you great joy? What is your favourite memory of an experience that challenged you? What is your favourite memory of a time you were in a flow state (a state in which you were completely focused on activity such that time melted away)?
- What was your favourite job? Why was that your favourite job? What did you do each day that fulfilled you? What did you always dream of doing as a child or younger adult?
- What activities give you the greatest sense of accomplishment or achievement? What memories do you have of a time you felt proud?
- Do you have a place you go to where you feel a sense of calm? Or is there an activity that gives you that same feeling?
You may not yet have manifested your dolce vita (mine is certainly a work in progress), but with some inspiration, clear visualization of where you’d like to end up and dogged determination to make it happen, I’m confident you will get there. I’m also more than happy to offer you the encouragement you need.