Think of The Pasta-bilities!
About a 3-minute read
Ten years ago today, almost to the hour as I write this, I traded my office heels for walking shoes and stepped onto Italian soil. Not just as a visitor but as a protagonist in what was about to become my very own version of 'Eat, Pray, Love' minus the book deal (but hey, there's still time!).
With my suitcase packed with over 25 years of corporate HR experience and probably too many shoes, I left the familiar behind. I stepped off the aeroplane and into a world of unknowns - seriously, who knew there were that many types of pasta?
I know as well as anyone that change can feel daunting. It’s like not speaking Italian and trying to order coffee in Italy without accidentally buying a house. 😉 Yet, change also brings incredible excitement and opportunity. For example, I checked off a bucket list item by celebrating my 50th with a glass of Chianti in the Tuscan hills, just three months after arriving. I mean, if you're going to turn 50, you might as well do it where the wine is as rich as the history!
This past decade has been filled with exploration, learning, and growth. And just like a gelato-tasting session - some flavours you love immediately, some grow on you, and others... well, let's just say they're better left behind.
My Italian journey has been woven with vibrant threads of experiences: travelling around Europe, the UK, and parts of Eastern Europe. I dove head-first into a new language, and while I may still accidentally use the wrong verb conjugation, I've certainly enriched my life—and surprisingly, shrunk my waistline. All in the name of cultural immersion and a more active lifestyle!
I transformed my body, continued my education (wine tasting is educational, right?), and, with newfound confidence and resilience, I started guiding others as a health coach. Because if I can navigate - in a foreign language - in a country where bureaucracy is an art form, I can help you find your path too.
This journey hasn't been a straight or smooth one. I’d say it has been more like a cobblestone alley filled with unexpected turns and the occasional Vespa speeding by. But it's a reminder that when we push past our comfort zones and fuel our curiosity, the world unfolds in ways we never imagined.
As we navigate this year’s festive season, which is a time that I know can be as stressful as assembling IKEA furniture, I think about the importance of resilience. The past year has been particularly challenging for me personally, and for many others around the world. Yet, in looking back, I find solace and strength in the important milestones reached and the quiet moments of growth - like mastering new Italian hand gestures without offending anyone!
So, as we bid farewell to this year and welcome the next, let's hold onto the belief in brighter days ahead. May your holidays be filled with dreams of possibilities, joy, and a light that guides you to an amazing new year.
Hugs,
Juli