But first, discover its meaning as explained by Italians…

When I first arrived in Italy more than 10 years ago, the first two expressions my Italian friends taught me were piano, piano (‘little by little’) and dolce far niente (literally ‘sweet doing nothing’). But the latter phrase made famous by the Eat, Pray, Love book and movie franchise means so much more than its literal translation, that you can practically call it an untranslatable phrase.

Here’s what a few Italians shared about the saying’s deeper significance, as well as some advice about how exactly you can steal this beautiful concept and incorporate it into your life.

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Dolce far niente… dolce = sweet || far(e) = do || niente = nothing > literally: the essence of doing nothing and enjoying it. Nothingness is that pleasant experience of enjoying time going by, letting your thoughts taking over… I guess it’s very much in our mentality as Italians. We are lucky enough to have the beauty of amazing landscapes, from the coasts and seasides to the highest mountains. That is where dolce far niente is at its best, where all that matters is living the moment. No stress, no pressure, nothing matters; just live in the moment, a ‘doing nothing’ moment.

Tessy Morelli from Meet Your Mood

Coffee is a good ‘dolce far niente’ ingredient | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

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Dolce far niente is a way of life. We, the Italians, live to celebrate with good wine and a plate of pasta, no matter whether it is a normal everyday lunch or the most important holiday in the country. Dolce far niente is a way of thinking always fixed to the moment, in which we can finally ‘do nothing’ and enjoy it. 

Selene Scinicariello from Viaggi Che Mangi

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Dolce far niente is this sensation when you sit at a bar in an Italian village while you drink coffee and watch the passersby. Time slows and for half a second you admire life in its simplicity, and you only want to smile.

Maria Vittoria from SimplyEcoNomads 

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A memory comes to mind when you mention il dolce far niente. When I was a child, my parents used to send me to stay with my grandmother while they were at work. She was a warm and caring woman who spent all day doing housework and taking care of her grandkids.

Sometimes I saw her putting a chair outside, on her front doorstep, and sitting down for a while just watching the street, greeting neighbors and waiting for the sunset. If I asked her: “Nonna, che fai qui?” (“Grandma, what are you doing here?”), she always answered “niente” (nothing).

This is hard to explain. Literally, Dolce far niente is doing anything without getting bored. It’s a particular kind of ‘me time’ when you don’t do anything in particular: no massage, no reading, no sleep – just observing the buzz of life around you and recharging your batteries. It sounds like idleness, but it’s actually something different. It’s more like a break from the rat race. It’s a moment to reorganize your energy. It’s a way to unwind and to put some distance between you and your life and, magically, to see it better as a whole.

Emanuela Aliberti from The Italian Midday

Read more: Why Venetians don’t walk between the columns in St Mark’s Square

7 unusual things to do in Sicily

8 philosophies of a happy life from around the world

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So what does it mean?

Gökotta is an untranslatable Swedish word, which essentially means “to rise at dawn in order to go out and listen to the birds sing”.

What is the origin of the tradition?

In some parts of Sweden, there is a tradition of going out into the wild on Ascension Day (40 days after Easter) to listen to the birds, and in particular the cuckoo, sing their songs for the first time in spring. Even churches in many parts of the country agree to hold their Ascension morning service in the open so believers can hear the cuckoo sing.

Why should you do it?

It has long been known that having a positive and energetic morning is the most important step toward crafting a peaceful and productive day, though it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that obnoxious alarm clock in the morning.

The other aspect of the concept – immersing yourself in nature – is yet another booster for mental and physical well-being.

And if that’s not enough, think of it as a way to get closer to Swedish culture without having to actually go to Sweden.

Want an extra challenge?

Have you already incorporated gökotta into your routine? We still have one more challenge for you: go camping near the city on a work day and start the following morning by using the birdsong as your alarm clock (here’s how we did it last summer). When you arrive at work, all your colleagues will be wondering where your good mood has come from.

More sunrise ideas

You’ve already made it out of bed, realized how different life is under the soft light of sunrise and want some more creative suggestions for how to celebrate the dawning of the day. Take some inspiration from our list of sunrise challenges and give yourself an energizing start to the day.

Read more: 10 sunrise ideas to start the day with a smile

Discover more untranslatable words: like aylyak in Bulgaria or dolce far niente in Italy. 

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If you ever travel to Costa Rica, you can’t legally enter the country without knowing the principles of pura vida. You are given a 30-minute test on the topic where you should gain at least…

OK, now seriously. Your trip to Costa Rica will be deeper and more meaningful if you know the concept that explains pretty much everything in Costa Rica. It is also better than any souvenir that you can bring back home – a new lifestyle to make you happier. Aren’t Costa Ricans geniuses?

What does pura vida mean?

It is an expression every Costa Rican uses several times a day. Pura vida literally translates as “pure life” or “simple life” but it’s much more than this. It’s the art of living a happy and worry-free life, the concept of taking things as they are and not trying to change them by all means, the deep respect for nature, family and the important things in life. You will be able to indulge in the pura vida lifestyle if you spend some time in Costa Rica and look at the facial expressions of people when they hear these words. It’s the way ticos (people from Costa Rica) remind each other that life is to be enjoyed.

Where does the phrase pura vida come from

Most probably the phrase came with the Mexican movie “Pura vida” shown in Costa Rica in the 1950s. The main character goes from trouble to trouble but keeps his optimistic view saying “pura vida”. Although the phrase didn’t have immediate success, it became part of the everyday language nationwide by the end of 1970s.

How to use pura vida

– Hi, Maria, how are you?

– Pura vida.

or

– Pura vida?

– I’m fine!

or

– She is so pura vida!

This simple. Pura vida can be a greeting, a way to say “excellent” or “easy-going”. The most important thing is to accept it with your heart. If soemthing doesn’t turn out like you expected – pura vida! If someone doesn’t show up for your meeting – pura vida! If you have food for dinner – that’s also pura vida! If you meet a friend on the street – pura vida again.

The post How to practice pura vida and be happy in Costa Rica appeared first on 203Challenges.

Here are our favorite picks of local wisdom:

Pura vida in Costa Rica

Pura vida simply translated in English is “pure life”, but the phrase actually has a far deeper meaning. Costa Ricans use it to say hello, to say bye or as an answer to the question “How are you?”. Pura vida is in fact a way of life, where you accept that no matter how difficult, your life is not that bad at all.

>>> Read more about Pura vida.

Dolce far niente in Italy

Dolce far niente literally means “sweet doing nothing” and the Italians, especially in the southern part of the country, know how to turn idleness into a happy occupation. This philosophy of life contains a number of important prohibitions, such as no haste, no taking problems to heart and no paying attention to the surrounding nuisance.

>>> Read more about Dolce far niente.

Hakuna matata in Africa

Thanks to the animated film “The Lion King” everybody knows a bit of Swahili. Hakuna matata means “no problem”, “no worries”. The phrase is used mainly in Kenya and Zanzibar and is mentioned in the famous “Jambo Bwana” song.

Tri Hita Karana in Bali

If harmony means happiness, then this philosophy of life from Bali will help you achieve it. In English, Tri Hita Karana means “three reasons for well-being” – being in harmony with people, in harmony with God and in harmony with nature.

Aylyak in Bulgaria

Aylyak is an untranslatable Bulgarian word which can be roughly translated as “the art of doing everything at a relaxed pace without worrying about anything”. The Aylyak lifestyle is mainly typical for the residents of the city of Plovdiv famous for taking long, leisurely walks back and forth along their main pedestrian street.

>>> Read more about aylyak.

Fernweh in Germany

English doesn’t have an antonym of “nostalgia” but in German it’s Fernweh. It means a strong desire for traveling, dreaming of far and unknown lands and new experiences. So give in to your Fernweh and hit the road.

Friluftsliv in Norway

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. True to this principle, the Norwegians are fans of Friluftsliv or life in “free” air (“open-air living”). The northern country’s inhabitants appreciate the benefits of spending time in the open for health and well-being, regardless of weather conditions. Whether it is running, cycling or just going out to the park nearby to take some photos – the important thing is to breathe fresh air.

Wabi-Sabi in Japan

Salvador Dali once said “Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it”. This is exactly what the Japanese idea Wabi-Sabi tries to convey. In English it means “accept imperfection” and applies to the individual body and character, friends and life in general.

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“The art of not giving a sh*t, doing everything at a relaxed pace and not worrying at all”.

The aylyak lifestyle originated in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-biggest city, where it has been practiced intensely for decades. If the definition appeals to you, we encourage you to indulge in a little aylyak no matter where in the world you are. Here’s our complete guide to the aylyak lifestyle.

[*in fact, aylak is the Turkish word for ‘idle’. The meaning Bulgarians attribute to it, however, is far more complicated and represents a way of life rather than a momentary condition.]

Don’t hurry. Seriously, don’t. Ever.

The residents of Plovdiv are famous for taking long, leisurely walks back and forth along their main pedestrian street, Alexander I. If you sit at one of the sidewalk cafes and try to remember the faces of the passers-by, you might be surprised that you can actually do it because people keep on passing again and again. If there’s a job that needs to be done, it can be, of course, postponed.

In fact, the only aspect of life in Plovdiv that seems rushed or stressful is the driving. Slow and relaxed while they walk, Plovdiv dwellers turn into wild beasts as soon as they get behind the wheel of their car. You may be honked at, shouted at and brutalized in many ways on the road, but always keep in mind that these are the same humble people whose faces you remembered earlier in the cafe.

Take advantage of the weather

Plovdiv is notorious for its sizzling summers, when you can expect the temperature to stay above 84°F (29°C) until midnight. Then and only then can you comfortably hit the street and enjoy the nightlife under the stars (Kapana art district and the old town are the two best places to do it).

So what should you do to pass the time during these sweltering days? Simple: aylyak (a.k.a., savoring craft beers, napping, reading, talking to friends on the phone). Repeat in winter (substituting beer for mulled wine).

Street art in Kapana district, Plovdiv | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Keep calm when you feel irritated

If only! In fact, Bulgarians are not very good at ignoring the annoyances around them; they feel personally obliged to respond loudly to every single thing they don’t like. Yet somehow they still manage to practice the zen-like lifestyle of aylyak. Are you confused now? As you can see, aylyak is a very complex concept…

Aylyak and mañana

There’s a famous Bulgarian joke that pretty much explains it all.

A Bulgarian asks a Spaniard:

– What does “mañana, mañana” mean?

– It’s when your life is mainly drinking wine, relaxing, eating good food, and having loads of fun. And what is aylyak?

– The same but without all this tension.

Night alyak at the Singing Fountains, Plovdiv | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Aylyak, mayna!

If you are not familiar with Bulgarian culture, you might also be interested to learn that the residents of Plovdiv are known for their excessive use of another Plovdiv-born word: “mayna” (pronounced my-nah). This is even harder to translate as it can stand for almost any part of the sentence, ranging from “bro” to “I can’t believe it!”, “get away” or “good luck”, just to name a few.

You’ll gain plenty of respect from a Plovdiv resident if you say: “Aylyak, mayna”, which means “I’m relaxed and worry-free, and I don’t care for anything in this world” (and I know how to say it in Bulgarian!).

>>> Read more about Bulgaria.

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The Danish concept of hygge has taken the world by storm in the past year. Some people have found its meaning in cozy socks and candlelight, but for others it is a faraway philosophy revealing the secrets to a happy life. One thing is for sure – hygge has made us think of ways to improve our well-being and turn every moment into a celebration for the soul.

Things you should know about hygge:

• It is one of the central characteristics of Danish culture.

• It is pronounced “hoogha”.

• It translates roughly “coziness”.

• It is a psychological state of contentment.

• The essential facets of the hygge lifestyle are: coziness, a pleasant atmosphere, spending quality time with the people around you and connecting with nature.

• It was shortlisted in the Oxford 2016 word of the year competition.

5 ways you can apply hygge to traveling

1. Get comfy on the road.

Traveling is not just about the destination; equally important are the journeys along the way. You can turn the road itself into a hygge experience by choosing the means of transport you find most comfortable to take you where you need to go. Grab some nice coffee, get cozy, put your headphones on and listen to your favorite music while enjoying the view out the window.

2. Spend time outdoors.

Connecting with nature is one of the key components of hygge, and a big part of Danish culture in general. To embrace the hygge philosophy on your travels, make sure you explore the nature surrounding you. That could involve cycling, walking, surfing or simply sitting and observing.

3. Enjoy the little things.

One important element of the hygge lifestyle is thinking about everyday activities as if they are special celebrations. This works especially well if you are exploring an unknown place. On your next trip, pay attention to the food you eat, the atmosphere of the cafes you visit, the beautiful gardens you stroll through and every other detail that piques your interest throughout the day. If all those things make you happy already, you might be practicing hygge without even realizing it.

4. Come together.

Another element of hygge is finding happiness through socializing, and there is nothing more hygge than traveling with friends or family – the perfect chance to create memories and strengthen the bond between you.

However, traveling alone doesn’t mean you can’t find togetherness on the road. With more and more apps like Rent a Local Friend, Couchsurfing, Showaround and Global Greeters, it is easier than ever to make friends wherever you go. That connection, according to the Danes, is one of the ingredients of a happy life, both on the road and off it.

5. Take it slow.

Travel, like many things in life, is about quality over quantity. Traveling slowly allows you to form a stronger connection with the places you visit, which in turn creates that hygge vibe of relaxation and coziness.

READ MORE:

WHAT TO DO ON A RAINY DAY – 20 IDEAS WITH FRIENDS

5 MINI HABITS THAT WILL FOREVER CHANGE THE WAY YOU TRAVEL

10 CRAZY TRAVEL CHALLENGES FOR THE WILD-SPIRITED

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