What are your plans for August?

Some journal prompts to make your Italian break a joyful adventure this month.

Maybe you’re easing into summer and taking a break from your Italian. That’s great.

If you know me, you know I’m all about breaks.

• Breaks within the day, like a quick cappuccino to remind us that we matter. 

• Breaks within the week without waiting for the weekend because hey, it’s our life

• Breaks within the year. 

• Breaks to  replenish your energy and to nourish your soul. 

Breaks are important, especially in a world that is brainwashing us into thinking that we matter only when we’re doing something.

We matter always.

Even when we’re idly gazing at the walls from our couch. Especially then.

Breaks are important because they nourish us. When we stop actively doing and start being, our brains are allowed time to rejuvenate.

So today, I want to invite you to rethink what your Italian language break could look like. 

So, take pen and paper, ideally your Italian journal and jot down these questions. 

Come posso portare l’ italiano nella mia vita in questo mese di  Agosto senza studiare ?

Cosa posso fare di diverso? 

Cosa posso fare di divertente che mi dia la carica?

Come posso giocare un poco con il mio Italiano? 

Take some time to journal over these prompts. 

My suggestion is to stretch what your idea of learning is. 

It can be many things:

• Like downloading a Scopa app to learn this game that is played by Italians throughout the summer. Playing cards is a great way to connect and socialize.

• Or watching a passeggiata in Italia on Youtube and keep that inspiration alive.
  

I’ll stop here because I do want you to play around with ideas and I don’t want to influence you too much.

Push yourself a tiny bit. Stretch your idea of what enjoying Italian could mean. Get creative.

Magic happens when we do this and yes, anche questo è imparare italiano.

L’ italiano non succede solo quando si studia, anzi. 

And this is entirely up to you. Not your Italian teacher with whom you have weekly classes.

The act of building your own relationship with Italian, aside from taking classes, is yours to perform, and yours alone.

And it’s a beautiful task to have that can lead you in magical and unexpected directions.

Because it means that you’re growing as a learner and it opens the doors to endless possibilities.

So, I invite you to take some time for yourself and see how you can enjoy and savor your Italian this August.

When you work your way through your prompts, I’d be honored if you’d like to share your replies here and send me a DM or even just leave a comment.