Dessert First: Part Four (of Six)
Part One: New view, new you: The power of a workation
Part Two: Dessert first: Putting fun before function
Part Three: How to build a strong community
In my first book, Too Busy to be Happy, I focused on what can happen to us mentally when we let certain to-dos take up too much emotional real estate, leaving little room for the things that actually fill our cup (a.k.a. bring us joy).
This past spring, I was lucky enough to experience the exact opposite: I was too happy to be busy. When I stepped onto the island of Syros in Greece, it literally felt like I stepped onto a different planet. Everything felt upside down.
Here’s why:
During my first weekend there, we went for a walk along the water. What struck me most wasn’t the scenery or the smells coming from the nearby restaurants, it was the number of people—families, couples, teens, even groups of yayas and pappoús—just sitting around. Relaxing. Chatting. Happy just being.
In North America, sitting in a restaurant for hours while you slowly sipped on a $5 coffee would be considered rude. It would definitely earn you a few dirty looks from the staff. But in Syros, that was the norm. Nobody seemed to rush. People bumped into friends, pulled up chairs, and joined in on conversations. Restaurants weren’t just places to grab a “quick bite” and rush to carry on with your day, they were hubs of the community. Nobody was too busy to be happy—in fact, they were just too caught up being happy to be busy.
I was floored by how different these island dwellers treated time. Servers brought us coffee and then disappeared, only to reappear if it was obvious we needed something. They weren’t inattentive, they just weren’t in a rush to turn over the table (and couldn’t care less about the size of our bill). It was so different from the efficiency-driven, fast-paced dining culture I’m used to. The mission wasn’t just to serve food, it was to create a space where life could slow down and people could connect.
People were focused on being present, instead of the never-ending pressure of busyness that we so often fall victim to in North America. The culture in Syros was arranged around a completely different set of priorities and beliefs. The residents were focused on their community, the connection they had with each other, and truly taking the time to enjoy life.
Another way this manifested itself was through generosity and gratitude. Every restaurant we visited in Greece gave us something for free–a dessert, a shot of liqueur, a cookie with our coffee. It was their way of saying “thank you” for coming. Once again, it wasn’t about profit. It was about creating a welcoming experience and fostering connection.
Plus, kids were embraced everywhere. If you have kids, you know how difficult it can be to find a “kid-friendly” space in North America. We have to check before we go almost anywhere to make sure that kids are welcome. In Syros, every space welcomed children with open arms—even the fanciest restaurants. Parents would gather at the plateias (town squares) while their kids played nearby. These spaces were safe and communal, and other parents didn’t hesitate to step in if a child was doing something dangerous or needed help.
It was so refreshing for children to be seen as central to the community, not siloed to designated zones or the “kids’ table” as we like to call it. I didn’t feel pressure to keep my kids entertained with endless extracurricular activities. Instead, they could just be kids. They ran, they laughed, they chased stray cats, they made up stories about said stray cats, and they lived their best kid lives while the adults sipped their coffees and engaged with one another.
And speaking of being engaged, perhaps what was most different was the absence of phone-scrolling zombies. Of course, people in Syros used their phones to text friends or make calls, but I rarely saw anyone lost in the endless scroll of Instagram or TikTok. It made me realize how much we’ve normalized being physically present but mentally distracted by our handheld devices.
My time away made me rethink what I want for my life here at home. Greek culture had a physical impact on me. I was happier. I was less stressed. I never rushed. Maybe it’s time to adopt a little more of the Greek way? Savoring moments, prioritizing connection, and yes, having our dessert first.
What do you think? Have you ever traveled to a place that made you reassess the way you live your life at home? Please join me on LinkedIn and let’s continue the conversation.
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