Mindful Moments While Studying Abroad in Florence, Italy
Balancing school, travel, and my own wellbeing while studying abroad has been difficult, but it has taught me how important it is to make time for myself. Traveling often and constantly being surrounded by people at school is exciting but also exhausting physically and mentally. I realized that if I do not take care of my mental and physical health, I cannot do my best in school or enjoy the experiences of traveling.
At home, something that I really enjoyed doing was yoga. I researched different yoga studios in Florence and found one called The22. The instructors are so nice and welcoming, and it feels like such a safe place to just let go. It became a place where I could slow down, breathe, and let go of stress. It showed me that even one short hour can make a big difference in how I feel and how focused I am afterward. I felt so much better the rest of the day and felt my stress melt away.
My roommate and I went off to our yoga class at 8 am. The class is about a 40-minute walk from our apartment, so we got a bit of a warmup and our blood flowing!
The building that The22 is in! In the U.S., I’m not used to seeing businesses within buildings like that, coming from a small college town. I ended up walking past it twice but eventually found my way!
Here’s the door which was much harder to miss. It was on the second floor of the building and after a long 40-minute walk we were finally there.
Traveling has also taught me that I need to create balance by finding quiet moments, even when I am in busy places. Sometimes that means reading, taking time by myself, or even just closing my eyes and taking deep breaths. I have learned that these small habits are not selfish but necessary for keeping my energy and motivation strong.
The locker room has lockers, lotions, a shower, and towels. This is where everyone changes; in the photo you can see my school bag and boots because I’m headed to class after this.
Here is what the studio room looks like! It’s a very intimate setting and a small class, I had to take a picture before class, because one of the amazing parts about The22 is that it is a no-phone zone and to respect myself and others I left my phone in the locker room. This really led me to fully embrace the experience.
I grabbed my phone quickly after class to show the candles which really elevated the experience. I got such a good sweat, and this class really revived myself and my roommate.
Physical health is just as important as mental health, and I try to stay active, eat well, and rest so that I can show up fully for my studies, friendships and travels. When I take care of my body and mind, I can handle challenges better, I can learn better, and I can fully embrace new experiences without feeling worn out.
My roommate and I after class, with big smiles! We felt a million times better and couldn’t stop talking about how we need to come back next week.
All changed and ready for class in 20 minutes! My class is only seven minutes from the studio so it was the perfect turn around with just enough time. Giulia was headed home so this is where we parted ways.
Moving forward, I want to continue finding this balance so that studying, traveling, and self-care all work together for me to be the best version of myself and make the most of my opportunity to study abroad in the wonderful city of Florence, Italy! I believe this balance is not only the key to doing well in school but also the key to living in a way that is healthy and sustainable.
Here is my walk to class where I pass so many yummy cafes and stores that I haven’t seen before and now are on my list to try. I feel like everywhere I go I find new little spots, part of why Florence is so great!
At my food and culture class! Now I feel ready to learn and be fully locked into my classes. Today’s yoga really set the tone for my day and the rest of the week.
