Life is to be savored ("Lessons" series)

This is another post in my "Lessons from this summer" series. Missed the others? Check them out here:

• Trust your foundation

• Be a Sherpa

When preparing for our trip to Italy earlier this summer, we read that Italians rarely get their coffee to go. This is a sure sign that you're American if you're walking around with a to go cup!

Italians don't do the whole "sprint to the next meeting with a plastic lid in hand" thing. They stop. They drink. They stay completely in that single moment.

Life is to be savored!

This was an eye opener for me! Instead of rushing through their morning coffee, Italians take their time and savor the moment. They enjoy sipping espresso or cappuccino and visiting with their companions. Even if they're short on time, they stand at the bar and drink their espresso before heading off to the rest of their day. What a great reminder that life is short and instead of rushing through, intentionally take time to truly be present in each moment!

Some of my favorite parts of this summer were when I remembered to pay attention and to really savor it!

• When in Rome... or Florence. 😅 During our time in Italy, we followed the lead of the Italians, and we stopped to have "un cappuccino e un cornetto" (croissant) - or some similar pastry - every morning before we started our day's adventures. Glorious!

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  Cappuccino & Croissant #1

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  Morning pastries

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  Cappuccino & Croissant #2

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  Cappuccino & Croissant #3

• Sitting out on the porch during a yoga retreat in Colorado with a warm mug in my hands, watching a deer quietly wander by

  
  

• Enjoying early mornings at the lake, just sipping coffee and watching the sun rise and sparkle in the water

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  Deer visitor in CO

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  Watching the sun

None of those moments could have happened if I was rushing.

We spend so much of our lives moving at full speed, mistaking busy-ness and productivity for meaning. But the moments that nourish us most aren't the ones we check off a list—they’re the ones where we really pay attention, slow down. The extra five minutes enjoying your morning beverage. The conversations with others where we can really listen to each other. Noticing the sights, sounds, smells, things around you. Pausing to check in with yourself before rushing off to the next thing. Appreciating the little things. Life isn't something to be consumed on the fly; it’s meant to be tasted, felt, and savored.

How can you savor your life more today?

I see a pattern with the things I mentioned above (mornings, with coffee 😅), so I'm looking for other ways to bring in that feeling of savoring life. Some ideas:

• Mindful movement: Pay attention to your body when you exercise - notice how it feels when you stretch, take each step on your walk, or the strength in your body to lift weights. This morning I really made an effort to savor Savasana at the end of yoga class - the scent of the lavender towel, how my body felt after an hour of movement, the floor beneath me as my body relaxed into it. Magical! ✨

• The unhurried first bite: Put down your fork or sandwich after the very first bite of a meal. Chew slowly and actually notice the taste and texture of your food before picking up your utensil for the second bite.

• Elevate an everyday chore: Turn a mundane routine into a sensory reset—feel the warm water on your hands while washing dishes, notice the texture of fabric when you're folding clothes, or share a smile with someone else while grocery shopping.

• Develop a micro-gratitude practice: Find moments throughout your day to stop and notice one tiny thing working well right now—a comfortable chair, a cool breeze, or a refreshing cup of water.

• Linger in the transition: When you complete a task or arrive somewhere, pause for 30 seconds before rushing into the next thing. Take one deep breath to mark the transition instead of sliding straight into "what's next."

• The 60-second window seat: Sit by a window (or outside) with no agenda. Watch the sky, the weather, or light moving across the room for just one minute without reaching for a distraction.

Pick one of these things today and let me know how it goes for you. Or even better - leave a comment to let me know what you're doing today to savor your life! Let's make it a great day! ❤