The Italian Diaries: A Spring Return

There’s something about saying it out loud that makes it feel real again.

Nothing about this trip feels definitive or guaranteed, but after recent doctor visits and evidence of improvement, I was given permission to plan this next chapter. Right now, I’m taking that as a win.

This will be the first spring I’ve ever spent there, and I’m genuinely excited about that. I’m ready for longer days and to watch Puglia awaken from winter. There’s something symbolic about seeing a place come back to life after the cold, especially when you feel like you’ve been holding your own breath for a while.

I’ll be there from March through June. At least for now that is the plan. With the political climate and my mother’s health I am engulfed in more limbo that ever. I feel like my word of the year so far has been ‘pivot.’

In February, I’ll be returning to the Italian consulate to resubmit my visa packet.

I’ll be honest, I don’t have a lot of confidence in the outcome. But nothing ventured, nothing gained (at least that’s what I keep telling myself.) This time, I’m doing things differently. Something I didn’t know before is that you can apply for a second passport when your primary one needs to be held by a consulate for an extended period of time. (Had I known that earlier, things might have unfolded very differently the last time.)

I applied. It was approved. I now have it in my possession.

So while one passport sits at the consulate during the visa process, the other comes with me to Italy. It seems small but it feels like reclaiming a bit of autonomy. The last time I felt stuck for 4 months while they took their time. Now I am released of that feeling so it removes the attachment to a rushed outcome.

Once I’m back, I’m looking forward to settling into my house again. Continuing to decorate it. Making it feel even more like mine. This time around, my focus is going to be the rooftop terrace. I want to finally tackle the irrigation system, add plants and small trees, string lights, lanterns. I’m going for secret garden energy. A place for morning coffee, evening wine, and slow moments.

There are also parts of my last trip that I haven’t talked about yet. More home updates, dating and evolving friendships…all that is coming soon so make sure you subscribe if you haven’t already!

For now, this return feels like movement and after everything, movement feels like a gift.

xo,