What I’d Tell Myself Before Moving to Italy

If I could sit across from my past self — the one wide-eyed and full of dreams about moving to Italy — I would make a moka, take a deep breath, and say this:

It’s going to be harder than you can even imagine.
And it’s going to be even more beautiful, too.

Moving to Italy isn’t just about gelato on sunny afternoons afternoons, motorcycle rides in the Tuscan countryside, and endless glasses of wine under the stars (although, yes, there will be plenty of those moments). It’s about patience, resilience, and growing into a version of yourself you haven’t met yet.

If I could go back, here’s what I would tell myself:

Start learning Italian right away.
Even if it’s messy, even if you feel stupid. Every single phrase you can grasp will make your life exponentially easier — and you'll connect with people in ways you can't even anticipate.

The bureaucratic process will test every ounce of your patience.
Things move slower than you can imagine. Documents get lost. Appointments take months. Emails go unanswered. People will hang up on you. Nothing about setting up life here happens quickly — but fighting it only makes it harder. Breathe. Laugh. Accept.

Find your people early.
Before you even land, join local Facebook groups. Find expat meetups. Search for language exchanges. Community will be your life raft when the inevitable waves of homesickness and frustration hit. People that have navigated these waters ahead of you will be a great resource and support.

Save at least six months' worth of expenses.
I know you think you’ll find a job right away or that your costs will be lower, but life loves to throw curveballs. Having a financial cushion will give you the freedom to breathe and figure things out without panicking.

Soak up every bit of the culture.
Say yes to spontaneous invitations. Go to the sagras (small village festivals). Watch soccer “calcio” matches at the local bar. Take long walks without a destination. These little things stitch you into the beautiful fabric of daily Italian life.

Keep a journal.
Write down everything — the breathtaking meals, the tiny victories, the hilarious mistakes, the heartbreaks. One day, you’ll look back and realize how much you grew and how many beautiful moments you would have otherwise forgotten.

Strengthen your mindfulness practice now.
Moving abroad shakes you at your roots. You’ll need mindfulness — not just for the stressful days, but to truly savor the magical ones.

Because here's the truth:

There will be moments when you feel like a stranger in your own life.
There will be days when you miss home so much it physically aches.
There will be times you wonder if you made a huge mistake.

And then —
There will be moments when you are walking down a cobblestone street, the smell of espresso floating in the air, grandmas rolling pasta outside gossiping amongst themselves — and you’ll stop, completely overwhelmed with gratitude, and think:
"I can’t believe this is actually my life."

Was it hard? Absolutely.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.

To anyone thinking about making the leap — trust yourself. Prepare well. Be brave. Italy will demand a lot from you, but it will give you even more in return.