Christine Staton, Rutgers University
ISI Florence Fall 2017

I came to Florence with several goals: speak Italian, eat, see the ‘David’, and slow down. The last goal is our subject today. As a student – and a person, generally – I move rather quickly. I hurry through the morning routine in order to get to class or the library early and beat the rush of students. I cannot sit still; even while traveling through campus by bus I study flashcards or finish readings. Clearly, the art of relaxation is lost on me.

The Florentines say that life is to be enjoyed and I’ve realized that this was a doctrine my life was missing. Now, after only one month, I’ve noticed a difference. When I finish my homework for the afternoon, I find myself going for a walk with no planned destination and, when I buy a gelato, I’d rather sit down and enjoy it with a friend rather than hurry off with it. I’m starting to understand that slowing down does not just mean ‘relaxing’. It is something greater: a slower pace allows me to enjoy life. I am set to make the most of my time here since these perfect moments are fleeting and I want to remember them.

The days are long in Florence because I take the time to appreciate little things. Sitting at the dinner table for hours sharing meals with friends, not rushing from place to place or stressing about unimportant things. Two weeks ago I was in Venice with a friend and, although we did not see every site in the city, we cherished the whole day. While leaving the Film Festival taking place at the Venice Lido, we discovered the beach that was directly next to the festival area. Had we rushed back to Venice in an effort to be early for the train, we would have definitely missed it.

 

Instead, we took off our shoes and splashed around in the water.

We paused, we laughed,

and we enjoyed life.