The Quiet Strength of Solitude

Reflections From the Fire.

I was raised on my grandparents' farm in Australia, and every time I drive to my own farm here in Sicily, I’m transported back to that idyllic childhood of running barefoot on the earth. In fact, my earliest memory I have is of falling asleep under a giant pumpkin leaf on my grandparents' farm and waking to the sound of my granny calling my name. That memory has stayed with me for a lifetime, and it is how I chose to open my TEDx talk last year. The Australian landscape has always been in my soul, and now there’s a Sicilian imprint as well. My farm is nestled in a stunning part of Sicily called Torre Salsa, where I can see the ocean from my property. This area stretches for six kilometres along the coastline, and in my view, Torre Salsa has the most beautiful beaches on the island.

I divide my time between my farm and Mussomeli, the town in the heart of Sicily where I launched The Good Kitchen. I have managed to carve out a life for myself here that I am forever grateful for. Undoubtedly, the most satisfying aspect of my life on the farm has been learning how to grow and harvest my own olives. I have 75 trees on my property, and at times it feels like it will take a lifetime to master the art of knowing exactly when to prune, tend the soil, and harvest. It’s a true craft, one that can only be learned by doing, rather than by reading a textbook or searching the internet. My neighbour Nino is my guide, and together we manage to produce a bumper crop of olives each year, yielding copious amounts of the most delicious olive oil. Lately, Nino has been on my case about clearing the stubborn clumps of grass growing around the base of some of my trees. I have started clearing the grass which is a simple task that can take time but brings huge rewards for my mental health. I feel grounded on my land, dirt beneath my feet, with nothing to do but clear the grass. Bliss.

The other day I lit a fire to burn all of the grass clippings and also various branches that have been strewn over my land after a storm. I sat there with a glass of red, watching the flames flicker by myself and thought how in that moment I was ok and in fact everything was ok. As the fire crackled , I started thinking about the difference between being alone and truly enjoying solitude. There have been many times in my life where I have been in a crowded room and yet so alone. There is a quiet strength in choosing your own company, in finding peace within yourself and enjoying the moment. This is my life in Torre Salsa and I appreciate it and I am grateful for it every day. There are mornings when I have to work just a little bit harder to calm my mind but that is just life hey? Sharing this extended post from my Instagram, hope it resonates with you as well and sending you all much love from Sicily.