The Italian Pursuit of Balance

Hey FunLifers,

After a few weeks off — technically three for my honeymoon — I’m back with a fresh perspective and a lot on my mind. My wife and I spent 15 nights in Italy, and while it was an incredible trip in every way, what really stuck with me wasn’t just the food or the history… it was the pace of life.

You always hear about how Europeans live differently — slower, simpler, more present. But experiencing it firsthand made me realize how much we, as Americans, could learn from that way of living. So today I want to share a few reflections: what I learned, what surprised me, and what I think we can bring home from the Italian lifestyle.

1. The Art of the Slow Meal

In Italy, food isn’t fuel — it’s connection.

Meals aren’t rushed or transactional; they’re social experiences that last hours. Dinners often start at 8 p.m. and go past midnight, filled with multiple small courses, conversation, espresso, and laughter.

At first, I was impatient — where’s the check? Why is this taking so long? But then I realized that slowing down was the point. Eating wasn’t just about food. It was about presence, people, and the joy of the moment.

In the U.S., many of us eat while working, driving, or scrolling. In Italy, they sit, talk, taste, and savor. And maybe that’s part of why Italians live, on average, 3–5 years longer than we do. What if slowing down at the table actually helps us live longer — not because of calories or macros, but because of connection and calm?

2. Movement Is Just a Way of Life

We walked everywhere — through ancient streets, to cafes, to dinner. Movement wasn’t something people scheduled; it just happened.

In the States, we often see walking as exercise. In Italy, it’s just living. No Fitbits, no “10,000 steps” goal — just being on your feet, walking to work, to lunch, to see friends.

That made me think: maybe we overcomplicate health. Maybe it’s less about the perfect workout split and more about daily, natural movement. Not “fitness,” but living actively.

3. Rethinking Work (and Why We Hustle)

One of the biggest lessons came from observing how Italians work.

Shops close in the afternoon for a few hours. People take breaks. They rest. They spend time with family.

At first, my American brain screamed inefficiency! But then I thought about it: what’s the point of all our hustling if not to eventually buy back time?

There’s this story about a Mexican fisherman and an American businessman. The businessman tells the fisherman to work harder, buy more boats, and build a company — all so he can one day retire and spend time with his family. The fisherman laughs and says, “But I already do that.”

That’s the Italian way. They live now, not just for later. They don’t chase “more” just to chase it. And honestly, that hit me hard. Because in America, we glorify busyness. We work ourselves to the bone chasing goals that often lead us right back to where we started — wanting peace, time, and meaning.

4. What We Still Do Well

Now, this isn’t to say Europe has it all figured out. I noticed plenty of contradictions — people looked serious, sometimes even stressed, and I was surprised that not everyone seemed as “happy” as the lifestyle might suggest.

And when it comes to innovation, ambition, and creativity, America still leads. Our drive creates progress. The key is balance — learning how to slow down without losing our spark.

Final Thoughts

Fifteen nights in Italy reminded me that vacations aren’t just breaks — they’re education for life. They teach you new ways to live, eat, move, and think.

The real goal isn’t to wish you lived somewhere else — it’s to take what you learn abroad and bring it home. To make your own life, right here, a little slower, more intentional, and more alive.

If this resonates with you, I dive deeper into these lessons (and share a few travel stories) in this week’s episode of the "Pursuit of Balance" Podcast — Episode 15: The Italian Pursuit of Balance

 Listen here → https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FzIzgUuhtISAxBWX91y6W?si=c408e77aac004674

Until next time,Corey