After 6 years in Barcelona, I realized one of the 'worst' parts of living here was actually making me happier
As an American, I thought one of the worst parts of living in Spain had to do with business hours and closures. Now, I realize they're a good thing.
Jordan Mautner, an American living in Barcelona, initially struggled with the country's culture and schedules after moving from Los Angeles six years ago. Businesses in Barcelona took midday breaks and many shops were closed on Sundays, which was a culture shock for Mautner. He adapted to the new way of life and now appreciates the breaks and feels less pressure to optimize his time.
Mautner had little time left on his lunch break, but needed to squeeze in an errand - finding an extra key for his new roommate. He rushed through the narrow streets of his neighborhood, only to find the locksmith store closed. Frustrated, he realized he had wasted his lunch break, feeling less productive. Over time, he learned to plan errands around the schedules of those around him and adapt to the local culture.
He now enjoys his breaks, savoring meals and taking walks, and finds Sundays relaxing. Living in Barcelona has made him less stressed and more mindful of how he spends his time.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
