20 Ways to Live a Soft, Italian Summer

Live La Dolce Vita. Focus on enjoying life’s everyday small and simple pleasures.

Perfect your morning cappuccino and enjoy it with a sweet pastry or biscotti.

Leave your windows open to let in the fresh air and summer breeze.

Get all dolled up in your favorite clothes, makeup, and accessories. Yes, even if you have nowhere to go!

Take a pencil or paints outside with a notebook. Try to capture the natural or architectural beauty you see.

Soak up the summer sun daily.

Buy from local farmers markets or artisan craft fairs.

Listen to some old or new Italian music while at home, at the office, or in the car.

Hang up laundry outside to air dry.

Take an afternoon riposo to practice rest. Sit quietly to take in your surroundings or do nothing at all (even if it’s only for a few moments during your workday lunch break).

Make homemade gelato and savor it on a hot afternoon.

Spend a bluebird summer day at a lake or ocean beach. Swim, people-watch, or just sunbathe.

Learn an old family recipe. Bonus points if it’s from your Nonna.

Grow herbs on your windowsill.

Host a family or friend get-together.

Cook whole food meals that focus on Mediterranean ingredients. Think fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, fish, nuts, and olive oil.

Drink limoncello (or lemonade) as an after-dinner digestif as the sun goes down.

Go for slow evening walks in your neighborhood.

Fall head over heels in love (with yourself, with your spouse or partner, with life).

If you need some daily visual inspiration, make a vision board or search for “Italian ambience” videos on YouTube.