Discover how small, simple choices can lead to a more sustainable life — your own version of the Sustainable Dolce Vita.
There’s a moment when life asks you to change. And usually it’s not a quiet asking!
For me, it happened in 2008. Who has around my age or more knows that 2008-2012 wasn’t the easiest moment of our recent history.
A baby in my arms, an economic crisis outside, a head full of questions and a few money in my pocket.
I didn’t know it then, but that was the beginning of me living sustainably and on a budget, of my Sustainable Dolce Vita.
I need money!
I was 23, living in Spain, studying, counting every euro, and wondering how to make ends meet.
I wasn’t thinking about sustainability or the planet, I just wanted to improve my economic situation and live a joyful life.
Life felt too fast, too expensive and too complicated. And I just wanted some air.
And it was during that chaos that I started paying attention:
To my spending.
To my habits.
To the way I was living without really *choosing* how to live.
One evening, while balancing my bills and staring at supermarket receipts, I realized that most of my money was disappearing into things that I didn’t really needed — snacks, packaged meals, drinks, tiny daily “rewards” that only brought more emptiness in my pockets.
And in my belly, too!
That’s when the light bulb went on in my head: small things sum up, …for better or for worse!
Small Changes That Make A Big Difference
And so I began rewiring my habits:
- I started repairing instead of buying new.
- Cooking instead of buying ready meals.
- Choosing fruits and vegetables from the local market instead of walking through catching supermarket aisles.
And slowly each small change felt like I was putting the puzzle piece in the right place!
Yeah! This is a good sensation!
Finally I had more money in my pocket, stress softened and I discovered “again” how much I love food.
Living sustainably doesn’t need a lot of money!
On the contrary, you can live and enjoy a lot with few money! Isn’t a great news?
I began to see how simple it actually was:
– Turning off unnecessary lights.
– Mending a dress instead of throwing it away.
– Using less water and less energy.
- Buying from the local farmer and learn from them about local and seasonal vegetables
At the beginning I though I was “sacrificing” something. But then, I realized that absolutely not!
I was rediscovering the beauty of small, simple things. Aaah, life can be so easy and pleasant!
Simple Living Is Joyful Living
At first, I did it out of necessity but soon, I started enjoying the simplicity of my new life.
The more I simplified, the more I noticed what I’d been missing:
- To enjoy my coffee in the morning without rushing and by being aware that 1 cup is enough: more cups mean more money to spend and less health…mmm, not really convenient.
- To prepare a meal starting from what I found in the local store. Buying seasonal has 2 advantages: first of all, it’s cheaper and second it’s much more nutrient-rich.
- To reduce lighting in the night, can create a softer environment and make me ready to wind down and go to sleep serenamente.
Then, you see, sustainability is not about deprivation. It’s about rediscovering joy and live in harmony with yourself, with Nature, with the people around us. This will be even more relevant in a word where we’ll need much more humanity.
Lessons From Sustainable Living
Here’s what those years taught me:
- Small steps matter: we don’t need to change everything at once. Go slow and do what you can now, with the tools you have now. Go ahead with constancy and you will learn new tools.
- Simplicity saves more than money: it saves vital energy, clarity, and joy.
- The less you consume, the more you feel: because “Less is more”.
- Sustainability isn’t a trend: it’s respect for ourselves, for Nature, for the other people we share the planet with
The Sustainable Dolce Vita
Living the *Sustainable Dolce Vita* is not about perfection.
It’s about alignment — making your outer life match your inner values.
It’s about beauty in the everyday.
But it’s also universal — a human desire to live meaningfully, without excess.
My “dolce vita” of today is a bowl of ripe figs, a deep breath before work, a beautiful music, a slower pace throughout the day, it’s knowing that what’s good for you can also be good for the planet.
Start Your Sustainable Dolce Vita
Regola numero 1: start small.
You don’t need to quit everything or move to the countryside! Or if you can do it, just do it!
But if you can’t, here are three easy ways to start your own *Sustainable Dolce Vita*:
1. Simplify one corner of your life: a drawer, a wardrobe, your calendar.
2. Start with the food: Buy real, organic, seasonal food from small shops. It will make a huge difference than buying into a conventional supermarket!
3. Make one ritual sacred: Your morning coffee, your evening walk, your breathing session.
You see, living sustainably on a budget can be easy and bellissimo!
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Can you live sustainably on a budget?
Yes. Living sustainably on a budget is not only possible, it’s often easier than we think. Simple habits like cooking at home, buying seasonal food, repairing instead of replacing, and reducing energy use naturally lower expenses while also reducing environmental impact.
What are the easiest small changes to start living sustainably?
The easiest small changes include turning off unnecessary lights, cooking instead of buying ready meals, choosing local and seasonal food, using less water, using public transport, the bike or walking instead of driving, and buying fewer but better-quality items, These small steps add up quickly and don’t require big sacrifices.
Is sustainable living expensive?
No. Sustainable living doesn’t have to be expensive. In many cases, it costs less because it focuses on consuming less, wasting less, and choosing simplicity over excess. Living sustainably often leads to lower bills, more energy, less stress, and more intentional spending.
How does simple living help save money and reduce stress?
Simple living helps save money by reducing unnecessary purchases and focusing on what truly matters. When you simplify your habits, you spend less, feel less overwhelmed, and create more space for joy, rest, and meaningful routines in everyday life.
What does “Sustainable Dolce Vita” mean?
The Sustainable Dolce Vita is a way of living that combines sustainability, simplicity, and joy. It’s about finding beauty in everyday moments, living within your means, and making choices that are good for you, for others, and for the planet, without striving for perfection.
