In this new series of articles, I’ll draw on references from cinema to explore different aspects of personal and time management.
Each installment is inspired by a film that, in its own way, offers valuable reflections. Today’s focus is Eat Pray Love, a story that illustrates the power of self-discovery and the importance of reconnecting with oneself.

In the movie, the protagonist, Elizabeth, decides to break away from her routine after feeling unsatisfied with her life. Her first destination is Italy, where one of the most talked-about scenes takes place: in a pizzeria in Naples, she savors a pizza with such delight that she expresses the “dolce far niente”—the sweet pleasure of doing nothing and simply being present in the moment. The intensity of the scene lies in the fact that Elizabeth not only enjoys the food but gives herself permission to do so without guilt or pressure—something many of us may have forgotten as we cram our schedules with commitments.

She then travels to India, where she immerses herself in meditation and spiritual practices. This chapter of the story highlights the importance of finding a place and time for silence—something essential in the search for who we are and what we truly want. Sometimes, it’s enough to carve out just a few minutes a day to reconnect with our inner self and organize our thoughts—a habit that, if cultivated, can transform our relationship with work, family, and personal projects.

The final stage takes place in Indonesia, where she connects with people and experiences that help her learn a key lesson: it’s not enough to know and enjoy yourself; it’s also essential to understand the importance of loving, sharing with others, and building sincere connections. There, Elizabeth reinforces the idea that true fulfillment cannot exist without nurturing the relationships around us—and, of course, without loving ourselves.

In a previous article, I introduced the concept of Ikigai, which delves into the search for meaning and motivation. I won’t go into detail here, but I do want to emphasize that identifying what we’re passionate about, what we’re good at, what the world needs, and what we can be paid for is a very valuable path toward leading our lives with greater clarity. Eat Pray Love aligns perfectly with this approach, as the protagonist gradually discovers her needs, her talents, and, above all, how to reconnect with her purpose.

To close, I propose a simple exercise that can serve as a starting point for aligning your daily life with your true priorities:
Take note of the areas in your life you feel have been neglected—family, health, personal projects, friendships… Reflect on the reasons why they’ve been overlooked and write down specific steps you could take this week to give them more attention. After a month, review your notes and observe whether your way of feeling or managing your daily activities has changed.

Inspired by the pizza in Naples, the stillness of India, and the love in Bali, we can move a little further along the path toward fulfillment.