🌿 Mindfulness, Reviews, and the Fragile Art of Being Human

At Vita Bella Retreats, we hold space for reflection — not just in Italy, but in all the ways we move through the world. Recently, I’ve been thinking deeply about how we communicate online (when we text, send emails, and especially through reviews) how the tone of our words can ripple far beyond a screen.

In our digital age, everyone has a platform. With a few taps of a keyboard, a person’s heart-centered work can be lifted up or dismantled. Reviews can absolutely help others find meaningful, trustworthy experiences. They can celebrate warmth, hospitality, and care. But they can also, sometimes, become instruments of harm when written in anger or frustration rather than understanding.

At Vita Bella, we’ve been incredibly fortunate. Over the years, hundreds of guests have shared glowing, heartfelt reviews that speak of transformation, joy, laughter, and the deep sense of belonging they found in Tuscany, Florence, and beyond. Their words remind us why we do what we do—they’re stories of friendship formed over long dinners, creativity rekindled under olive trees, and lives gently shifted toward beauty and renewal.

Still, the digital landscape can be fragile. When critique becomes condemnation, and when cancel culture replaces conversation, something human is lost. The truth is, we are all doing our best. Every retreat, every class, every creative endeavor is built by people who pour themselves into the details—people who make mistakes, learn, adjust, and try again. People who aren't perfect; which is all of us. 

Those moments of challenge have taught me the true meaning of grace under fire: how to stay rooted in integrity when misunderstandings arise. As a leader and creator, I’ve come to believe this. The measure of any business isn’t perfection, but presence. It’s how we show up, again and again, with care, humility, and a willingness to grow.

Before leaving a review or posting a comment, I invite you to pause. Ask yourself:

✨ Am I adding to understanding or to harm?

✨ Am I speaking from my highest self or from my hurt self?

✨ Would I say this with the same tone if I were face to face?

Mindful communication is part of living la dolce vita—the beautiful life. It’s an act of respect, both for others and for ourselves.

Let’s remember: our words matter. They can uplift or diminish, connect or divide.

May we choose care over cruelty, reflection over reaction, and always, always, the grace of being human.

With heart,

Jane Reeves

Founder, Vita Bella Retreats