Words Seaside Sue, Publisher & Founder
Photo Janis Jean
I absolutely love turtles, so perhaps it’s no surprise that a story about Jonathan, a giant tortoise living on Saint Helena, caught my attention. At an estimated 194 years old, he is the world’s oldest known living land animal. Reading about him made me smile – and think about the pace of my own life.
Between work, community commitments and everyday responsibilities, I often measure a day by how much I’ve accomplished. There’s satisfaction in checking things off a list. But sometimes, even after a productive day, I wonder where the time went.
Italy has been stirring my curiosity lately. Along the way, I came across an Italian expression that has stayed with me: “dolce far niente” – the sweetness of doing nothing.
I have to admit: doing nothing doesn’t always come naturally to me. Even a quiet moment can become an opportunity to answer an email or plan what comes next. Yet there’s something appealing about sitting over a coffee, watching the water or enjoying the sunshine without feeling I should be somewhere else.
When I think about what makes my life feel full, it’s often the simplest moments: a walk with George, a conversation with a neighbour, a meal that stretches into the evening because nobody wants to leave. Those moments rarely appear on my to-do list, but they deserve room in my day.
Taking life at our own pace will look different for each of us. There will always be busy seasons and responsibilities that need our attention. I’d like to become a little more comfortable with the pauses in between.
A tortoise on a distant island and a few Italian words have given me something to consider: leave an afternoon unplanned, and simply enjoy whatever it brings.
“Trova la tua dolcezza nel far niente.”
