Making time for Dolce Far Niente and Fjaka

I’ve been back in Paris for 72 hours, and I’m already deep in vacation hangover — or maybe it’s just full-on withdrawal. This summer was truly one for the books. Normally, we go to Switzerland, travel to a few places around France, then settle into an Airbnb somewhere for three weeks, invite friends to join, and stay put. But this year I lived out of my suitcase. Switzerland, the south of France, Portugal, Italy, and Croatia. It was an epic family road trip — but with planes, trains, and ferry boats thrown in.

Now, instead of looking up beachside restaurants and Lidos, I’m knee-deep in laundry, cleaning, setting up tutors, trying to get the kids back on a normal sleep schedule, battling the ant infestation that took over while we were gone, reviving my dying, neglected plants, scheduling meetings and meet-ups... and honestly? I kind of wish I were still on vacation with an empty to-do list and no messages.

I am someone who loves la rentrée — that glorious French back-to-school season full of fresh starts and reunions. And while I can’t wait for Monday to snap backpack pics and quickly toss my kids lovingly back into the arms of their schools and catch up with friends, the last few days have felt like a recalibration. I’m still adjusting after the beautiful reminders that Italy’s dolce far niente and Croatia’s fjaka gave me.

Dolce far niente is an Italian expression that means “the sweetness of doing nothing.” And the Italians excel at it with their mid-afternoon breaks. This Summer at my friend Michelle’s farmhouse in Tuscany, we lounged, talked, and napped after lunch with no pressure and no plans. Then came Croatia, and even less doing. No big agenda. No checklists. Just swimming, sunning, and... being.

The only time we did any sightseeing was one morning in Split to see Diocletian’s Palace. Our guide taught us what she called one of the most important words in the Croatian language: fjaka. It’s their version of “just being” and doing nothing. She explained that you might call a friend and say, “Sorry, fjaka got me. I’ll catch up with you another day.” Or, I can’t do that right now because…fjaka.” I was instantly obsessed. (Only bad part was the kids kept using fjaka if I asked them to do something. )

In my book JOIE, I wrote about the art of être, the art of simply being. The French may not have a specific word for it like Italians and Croatians, but they also know how to move slowly, to take time off, and to relax. It’s essential to their joie de vivre.

This summer, I needed that reminder because sometimes I felt guilt creeping in for not working. I’d get twitchy, wanting to check in with group chats, scroll Instagram or emails. It took me a while to transition into vacation mode. But I needed it because summer began with a flurry of emotion and activity: I signed a new book deal (yay! but also time to focus), found out my son is dyslexic (emotional and challenging to navigate support in another language), had house guests for six weeks straight in May and June (family time = love, but also... exhausting), did a fun photoshoot for a Fall collab (exciting things coming!), and hosted lots of dinners and entertaining (pure joy).

It’s not always realistic to take a month off, I know. But dolce far niente and fjaka were good reminders that unplugging isn’t just okay…it’s necessary! Some mornings, I’d wake up before everyone else to read or write (okay, maybe sneak a peek at the group chat), but then I’d lean into the vacation vibes. And there were 2–3 glorious days — and one entire week — when I truly unplugged. I wore my swimsuit and a caftan every day and let fjaka take over.

One of the reasons I genuinely enjoy la rentrée is because changing my scenery, leaving town, and returning rested makes me appreciate home so much more. It really was a great summer. And now? Once all this laundry is done, I’m ready to get back to work, knowing that fjaka will occasionally get me, and I’m perfectly okay with that.

Bisous xx, Ajiri

p.s. I know that I haven’t posted in a long time, but I will be back next week sharing more notes on joie, travel recs, and more.