4 Ways I’m Bringing Italy Into My Life In Billings

A few weeks ago, my now husband (still feels crazy typing that!!!) and I took a trip to Italy that was part vacation, part elopement and, at the risk of sounding a little dramatic, that trip changed my life. 

I spent weeks planning the trip – deciding where we’d stay, the places we’d visit, the sites we’d see, and most definitely the food we’d eat. And don’t get me wrong, all of those things WERE amazing!

But I was surprised to find out that the things that stood out to me the most – meaning the things that I’m still thinking about and talking about now that we’re home in Billings – aren't the pizza or the pastries or the gorgeous views. 

It’s the small and simple things that I can’t get out of my head.

The slowness of their daily life. 

Their philosophy around food.

The way they’re so happy with what they have. 

The subtle (yet insanely impactful) hints of hospitality.

All of it just felt so incredibly different from the pace we live at here in America. Instead of rushing through life, there was a real sense of savoring it.

And as we neared the end of our trip, I just kept thinking about how I didn’t want to just leave all of that in Italy. I wanted to bring some of it home. 

So this blog post aims to share a few of the overarching things I observed while on our trip, as well as how I’m starting to bring them into my own life in Billings, MT!

4 Lessons I Brought Home From Italy

Slow Food > Fast Food

Prior to our trip, I had of course always heard people talk about how amazing the food is in Italy. The pizza, pasta, pastries, all of it. And I was SO excited to finally experience it all for myself.

But what I didn’t fully realize is that the food culture in Italy isn’t just about how delicious all of it is. They view food as something that you’re supposed to slow down and really experience – the conversation, the process, the sourcing of ingredients. 

During our trip, we took a cooking class and really got to experience this firsthand! I was struck by how much joy people had in making something from scratch. I mean, we had to hunt for our truffles before we could get to the cooking part. 😂

Back home, I realized how often we default to convenience – whether it’s by truly picking up fast food or by grabbing pre-made items at the store or even just rushing through the dinner prep, everything is so rushed. And don’t get me wrong – there’s a time and place for convenience!

If you’re a mom raising littles, yeah you’re probably going to choose the pre-made spaghetti sauce instead of whipping up your own at home. If it’s been a long work day and you just need to get dinner on the table, frozen veggies are a great choice. 

But if we remove the nuance from the conversation, in America we’ve become SO reliant on convenience and tend to rush through everything probably more than we even realize. 

So I decided that I want to start small and bring a little bit of the slow food culture back home with me. For me, that looks like baking bread – I seriously haven’t bought a loaf of bread since we returned! It’s the most simple change, yet feels really intentional. 

Sure, the process of baking bread takes time, but that’s the point – slowing down, being present, and appreciating the effort that goes into the food on the table.

In addition to that though, I’ve also been inspired to shop more intentionally and appreciate our local farmers, so my grocery runs now typically include a stop at the Yellowstone Valley Food Hub where I can get locally sourced grains, produce, meat, and more!

Redefining “More”

Here in America, we’re wired to think bigger, better, faster. More money, more stuff, more success. And I want to preface this one by saying, it’s not always a bad thing to crave growth in your life. 

I, like most people, have goals for myself and I do work hard to achieve them, both personally and professionally. But what stood out to me in Italy was the joy people had in celebrating what they already have.

Their land, their home, their job, their family, their friends, and their literal belongings. 

It was just so evident that they had a deep pride and contentment for their culture and it was honestly so inspiring!

For me, this was a reminder to truly be grateful for what I have and romanticize the everyday.

That can look like simply lighting a candle at dinner or sitting on the porch and actually enjoying the sunset or taking a mindful walk in the neighborhood.

Overall, it’s about celebrating the little things in life instead of always rushing on to the next big thing!

Hospitality as a Way of Life

Next up, was the way the culture as a whole felt so hospitable. Most of the places we went and places we stayed, had subtle hints of hospitality that, even though they were simple gestures, they had the MOST impact!

From the nightly turn down service, to coffee being delivered to your room every morning, to even being surprised with a cake for Jason’s birthday (which we NEVER mentioned, btw), it all just felt so intentional and it all stuck with me in a major way.

These acts weren’t just about service, it was about true connection.

It’s the way people would remember certain parts of our conversation and make thoughtful recommendations, overall treating us like more than just guests passing through.

All of this really made me think about how I can bring more of that spirit into my own business and everyday life. Not just serving people, but truly caring about their experience and creating moments of joy for them!

Rethinking Time

Lastly, in Italy there was a noticeable difference in how people approached time. It wasn’t about squeezing in more, more, more, but about making time for what mattered and really slowing down to enjoy every moment. 

For example, something I really loved were the “bars” (which to Italians = coffee shop). You order your treats, stand at the bar, and drink your espresso while you’re there! The concept of getting things “to go” is weird to them, because again, it’s about the experience – why rush it?!

That’s just one example that got me thinking about how I spend my time. Being in Italy made it so clear that you really can work and get everything done you need to without it completely taking over your calendar.

You can do things that you love, invest in your relationships, and really just slowwwww down your days when you structure your calendar intentionally.

So that’s what I’ve been up to! Restructuring how I plan my weeks so I can actually prioritize the things that make me feel good in addition to doing the work I love.

Simple things like taking a walk before a workout, scheduling downtime, or making space for hobbies (like the needlepoint kit I recently picked up). It’s a reminder that yes, you can do work you love, but you can also carve out time for the things that fill you up!

Overall, I’ve always loved traveling to different places and seeing how other people do things, but this trip specifically left a true mark on my life and I’m so grateful for what we learned and experienced. 

Now more than ever, I’m highly focused on slowing down, celebrating and appreciating what I have, creating space for connection with those in my life, and romanticizing the everyday. 

And while Italy may be across the ocean, those lessons are things I can absolutely carry with me right here in Billings.

So maybe for me, it looks like baking bread on Sundays. Or picking up fresh veggies at the farmer’s market. Or lighting a candle while I eat dinner instead of scrolling through my phone.

The point is, I don’t need a trip to Italy to live with more intention. I can start right here, right now, with what I have… and so can you. 🫶🏼

P.S. If you want to see all the behind-the-scenes of our trip, I have everything saved to a highlight over on Instagram!