What Florence Taught Me About Rest (And Why I'm Grateful for Island Life)

Last week, I wrote to you about the importance of rest – about giving ourselves permission to step away, recharge, and remember why we do what we do.

Well, I'm writing to you now from the other side of that rest, having just returned from Florence, and I have so much to share about what this break has taught me.

The Gift of Exploration

Florence was magnificent. Truly. The art, the architecture, the history seeping from every cobblestone – it's a city that demands your attention and rewards your curiosity.

I wandered through the Uffizi Gallery, stood beneath Brunelleschi's dome, got delightfully lost in narrow medieval streets. I tried foods I'd never tasted, practised my rusty Italian, and said "yes" to experiences that pushed me slightly outside my comfort zone.

And here's what I realised: rest doesn't always mean stillness.

Sometimes rest is adventure. Sometimes it's exploration. Sometimes it's the act of trying something completely new that has nothing to do with your daily life or responsibilities.

Because when you're navigating an unfamiliar city, puzzling over a menu in another language, or marvelling at a Botticelli you've only ever seen in books – you're not thinking about emails. You're not mentally planning tomorrow's classes. You're simply present.

And presence, I've discovered, is one of the most restorative things we can give ourselves.

City Energy vs. Island Peace

Florence pulses with energy. It's vibrant, bustling, alive with tourists and locals and the constant hum of urban life. There's a gelato shop on every corner, a church around every turn, something to see and do at every moment.

It's exhilarating. It's stimulating. It's wonderful.

And after three days, I was absolutely knackered.

That's when we took a day trip to the Chianti countryside for a vineyard tour, and everything shifted.

Rolling hills covered in vines. Cypress trees standing sentinel along winding roads. Stone farmhouses that have witnessed centuries pass. The only sounds: birdsong, the rustle of leaves, the gentle clink of wine glasses.

I sat at a long wooden table under a pergola, eating locally made cheese and drinking wine made from grapes grown metres away, and I felt my nervous system finally exhale.

This was the rest I'd been seeking.

The Lesson I Brought Home

That afternoon in the Chianti countryside reminded me so profoundly of why I chose to build my life on a Greek island.

Don't get me wrong – I love cities. I love the energy, the culture, the endless possibilities. But I've come to understand that I need the peace of island life to truly thrive.

I need to wake up to the sound of the sea rather than traffic.

I need to see more olive trees than buildings.

I need space – physical and mental – to breathe deeply and move slowly and remember what matters.

Sitting in that Tuscan vineyard, surrounded by peaceful countryside, I felt overwhelming gratitude for Kos. For the life I've built here. For the community I serve. For the privilege of living somewhere that offers this kind of peace not as an occasional escape, but as a daily reality.

Rest, Adventure, and Balance

So what has Florence taught me about rest?

That rest is multifaceted. It's not one-size-fits-all.

Sometimes we need adventure – new sights, new experiences, new challenges that engage our minds in completely different ways.

Sometimes we need stillness – quiet countryside, gentle rhythms, space to simply be.

Sometimes we need the stimulation of a bustling city.

Sometimes we need the peace of an island.

The key is knowing what kind of rest we need in any given moment, and giving ourselves permission to seek it out.

Why This Matters for You

If you've been feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or simply tired in a way that sleep doesn't seem to fix – perhaps you need a different kind of rest.

Perhaps you need adventure to shake you out of routine.

Perhaps you need peace to calm your overstimulated nervous system.

Perhaps you need both – the way I needed Florence's energy and Chianti's tranquillity.

This is why I'm so passionate about what we do at Evexia. Whether it's our regular classes here on Kos, the retreats we help create across Greece, or the bespoke experiences we plan for groups – it's all about creating space for the kind of rest and restoration that actually works for you.

Because one person's rest is climbing a mountain. Another's is floating in the Aegean. Another's is a quiet morning yoga practice followed by strong Greek coffee and absolutely nothing else on the agenda.

Coming Home

I'm back on Kos now, and I can honestly say I've never been more grateful for this island.

Florence was beautiful. The Chianti countryside was peaceful. The entire trip was exactly what I needed.

But coming home to the sound of the sea, the sight of the Aegean stretching endlessly blue, the warmth of this community – that's where my soul truly rests.

And I'm reminded once again why I do this work. Why I get out of bed each morning excited to teach, to plan retreats, to help others find their own version of rest and transformation.

Because everyone deserves to find the place – whether it's a physical location or a state of being – where they can truly exhale.

For me, that place is here. On this Greek island. Doing this work. With this community.

And I wouldn't trade it for all the art in Florence.

(Though I might go back for the gelato. That was exceptional.)

Your Turn

What kind of rest do you need right now?

Adventure or stillness? Stimulation or peace? City energy or island calm?

Whatever it is, I hope you give yourself permission to seek it out. Because you deserve rest that actually restores you.

And if that rest happens to involve a Greek island, some gentle movement, and a community that welcomes you like family? Well, you know where to find us.

With love and gratitude from Kos,

Gilly 💙

P.S. Classes have resumed with renewed energy and a few new ideas inspired by my travels. I can't wait to see you on the mat. And if you're thinking about planning your own retreat or wellness experience on Kos, let's chat – I'm full of inspiration and ready to help bring your vision to life.