THE JOURNAL
Illustration by Nien-Ken Alec Lu
If you’re reading this, then you’re undoubtedly a man – or a woman – of the world. Which is to say that you’ve got some experience, practical knowledge and hopefully even a touch of sophistication in the bank. You’ve been around the block, seen things and this ain’t your first rodeo. However, the smartest men – or women – also know that they know nothing, to paraphrase a long-dead Greek philosopher. And here in lies the point.
You see, other opinions are always available. And often it is people from very different cultures and backgrounds who approach things from a different direction and have the answers that we hadn’t even considered. So, we should be working to broaden our understanding rather than limit it.
With that in mind, we present a wealth of life lessons, tricks and tips gleaned from across the globe. Style and lifestyle advice from Italy, Japan and Scandinavia, amassed in one place, right below. And you don’t need to go anywhere to learn it.
13 Ways To Live La Dolce Vita – And Be More Italian
When it comes to the art of living beautifully, no nation has mastered it quite so well as the Italians. In the bel paese, revelling in life’s simple pleasures – be it a leisurely evening stroll with friends or beautifully cut blazer – is part of the national identity. Here, a few of our favourite Italians – and expats – have shared their secrets to bringing a touch of la dolce vita to the everyday.
15 Ways To Improve Your Life, Japanese Style
Tokyo is a city of extremes. A forest of glassy skyscrapers, inner-city temples and hidden ramen shops, not to mention some of the best menswear on the planet. A short walk around Shibuya will leave even the most style-conscious man from elsewhere feeling entirely underdressed. It’s no surprise then that MR PORTER stocks so many Japanese brands.
As Japan continues to top many travel bucket lists, a few of our favourite Japanese experts (and experts on the country) divulge their ideas on what we can learn from life in the Japanese capital, and beyond.
11 Scandinavian Secrets To Improve Your Life
“After more than a decade in Denmark, I’ve come to realise that Scandinavians have a secret sauce for a smarter, kinder quality of life,” writes Helen Russell, author of How To Raise A Viking. “Yes, they’ve got sleek chairs and great social security. But they’ve also got a set of low-key life philosophies the rest of us would do well to adopt.” She promises Nordic notions to fix your existence “no passport or Abba playlist required”.