An Italian-Inspired Reminder for the Holiday Season
There is something magical about the things that sometimes take a little longer, or require more effort. A handwritten note. A simple meal made from scratch. A quiet skincare ritual at the end of a long day. These moments that ask more of us (our time, attention, and effort), often give more in return to us and others.
During the holidays, when everything around us feels rushed, choosing the slower, more “inconvenient” way becomes an act of care and thoughtfulness.
Why the “Inconvenient” Way Feels Good
When we choose to do things slowly and with more intention, we make space for presence and thoughtfulness. Slowness brings the mind and body back into the same moment. Even the smallest tasks feel richer, steadier, and more meaningful.
In the Italian countryside, this way of living is woven into the culture. Meals are unhurried. Conversations linger. Skincare is a quiet ritual rather than a chore. Life is not built around efficiency. It is built around moments.
This is the heart of why the inconvenient way often feels so comforting. It gives us back the feeling of being human.
Handwriting Instead of Typing
A handwritten holiday note takes longer, but it becomes its own little gift. Your words become something to hold, something that carries warmth long after the season ends.
The inconvenience becomes magic.
Cooking Instead of Ordering
Even simple cooking — warm broth, soft vegetables, a drizzle of olive oil — connects you to the ingredients and the moment. It grounds the senses. It slows the breath. It nourishes more than just the body.
This is why Italian households often return to simple, homemade foods during the holidays. The preparation becomes part of the comfort and tradition.
Skincare Instead of Shortcuts
A few minutes with warm water, a gentle cleanser, and a comforting cream can feel like a small pause in the middle of a busy season.
Rituals that require our hands and presence offer something shortcuts never can: a chance to connect with ourselves.
Even the textures like a silky cream, dewy serum, cooling mask can bring us into the moment and offer a sense of relaxation.
Why It Matters Even More During the Holidays
This season often arrives with noise, lists, and expectations. Choosing the slower, more thoughtful path becomes a way to soften the edges and truly connect with ourselves and others.
A handwritten note.
A home-cooked dish with the ones we love most.
A soothing clay mask at the end of the night.
Can you think of more "inconvenient", yet more intentional actions for this holiday season?
These choices help create the kind of holiday that feels comforting rather than overwhelming. They invite us back into our own lives, even when everything around us is moving quickly.
A Little Italian Reminder
Doing things the inconvenient way is not about stretching ourselves thin. It is about savoring the warmth of a moment, thinking more deeply about others, and feeling the beauty of everything around us.
Thoughtful actions can bring calm in a season that often forgets to breathe.
And sometimes, the smallest, simplest rituals and traditions become the ones we remember most.
