The art of simple living

It’s true when they say that one day of living in another country will give you more than a year of living in your hometown. It’s been already a year since we move to the Mediterranean shore. And I can say that I see things differently now.

Remember how excited everything seems when you’re a kid? You’re constantly curious about everything and your mind is open and trying to get as much new information as possible. This is how I feel now.

Living in a country where technical progress is still slow also shifted my perception of my own life. I noticed how little I need to enjoy this life and that simple things can give as much pleasure as things you buy and do because of marketing tricks.

Mediterranean Living is about enjoying the simple things in life and finding the perfect balance of what works for you.

Simplicity is about stripping away what is not useful. Determine whether something is truly necessary, and if it is, then take good care of it. This is different from frugality. Frugality is about subsisting with things of low value. By value, I’m referring not only to its price — it also includes the depth of feeling toward such items.

Living simply means, for instance, that the mug you use every day for coffee is a mug that you really like — one that you take good care of and that you use for a long time. Acquire only good things that will truly be needed.

I apply this rule to everything in my life - starting from my wardrobe and makeup bag and finishing by picking a hobby.

For example I have only two leather bags. Both are quality Michael Kors bags, one is a brown shopper and the other one is black crossbody. I’ve been using it all the time, it goes with everything in my wardrobe and serve the purpose right.

In my makeup bag I have one of each product and one neutral color eyeshadow palette that I can use to create a daytime look as well as more dramatic date time look.

If you’ve been lucky enough to visit the Mediterranean, you will notice how much time you spend outside. This is the norm here (mainly due to the gorgeous weather and long coastlines). Spending time – socialising, strolling, even just sitting – in the open air is another fundamental element of this way of life. People just walk more. They walk to the market, walk to cafes to catch up with their friends and often walk as the sun goes down, making the most of the early evening breeze.

I never thought that simple things would bring me so much joy.