Lately, I've been thinking about what truly makes life richer, more meaningful, and undeniably “yours.” You know, the essentials—the things that, without them, life would feel as bland as unsalted feta or a dry baklava (a tragedy, I assure you). We all have that personal little list: tangible objects, memories, habits, or even philosophies we hold closely. Mine happens to be a blend of growing up in Athens, nights on sun-kissed Greek islands, and years of philosophical pondering over both romance and red wine.

Want to know what I can’t live without? Here it is, laid bare. Spoiler: It’s a little messy, very Mediterranean, and will probably make you hungry.

1. Olive Oil: The Liquid Gold of Life
Let’s start with a cliché, shall we? But trust me, clichés exist for a reason. Growing up in Greece, olive oil wasn’t just cooking fat—it was ceremony. Whether drizzled over ripe tomatoes, rubbed gently onto warm bread, or sneaked into hair care routines taught by well-meaning aunts, olive oil was everywhere.

The thing is, olive oil isn’t just delicious. It’s connection. Preparing meals with someone you care about—whether it’s lazy Sunday breakfasts after an unforgettable date or a tense dinner where you haven’t yet deciphered “What are we?”—leans on the magic of shared rituals. Never underestimate what a well-timed “Pass the olive oil” reveals about a person's soul.

It taught me an important truth about love: even the simplest bonds, treated with care, can become extraordinary. And when all else fails, pair it with bread. Great metaphor for life, no?

2. A Greek Island Sunset
Ever watched the sky blush before it says goodnight to the sea? If not, you’re overdue for a trip to Santorini. I lived there in my 20s, running a boutique hotel, which meant I saw hours slip into nothingness behind fiery orange skies almost every evening. No fancy filters required.

Here’s what those sunsets taught me: timing is everything. You sit too early, and the sun’s glare feels like too much, like someone oversharing on a first date. Too late, and all you catch is shadowy outlines fading into darkness. Love works the same way. There’s an unspoken magic when two people meet at the “right time.” Not too soon, not too late—like the sun and sea waiting for their moment.

Next time you’re tempted to rush into something, remember: Even the perfect sunset takes its time to unfold.

3. The Art of Saying 'Kalimera' (Good Morning)
There’s a funny thing we Greeks do. Whether you’re passing an old fisherman on a sleepy harbor or your coffee-slamming neighbor in Athens, you say “Kalimera.” It’s a cultural reflex, sometimes muttered so automatically it feels transactional. But when I moved to London for grad school and stopped hearing it, I realized how much this simple greeting shifts the energy of your day.

It’s not just a hello—it’s acknowledgment. You exist. I exist. I see you. That’s all relationships, isn’t it? Whether romantic or platonic, love boils down to simple acts of noticing. “Good morning” texts, the brush of hands as you pass each other coffee mugs, or even the occasional forehead kiss—little nudges that say, “You matter.”

So, bring the ‘Kalimera’ philosophy into your life. Make space to notice, to pause, to greet—with words, actions, or whatever suits.

4. A Soundtrack to Long Walks
During a summer in Crete, I got into the habit of taking early evening walks down dirt roads lined with olive trees, all while blasting Mediterranean folk songs through old headphones. Music became my backdrop for reflection, helping me sort out everything from petty arguments to existential crises in this melodic swirl of bouzouki and sepia skies.

Love works the same way—it needs a soundtrack. Find that one song, the kind that will pull you back to a person or a moment years from now. Maybe it’s an up-tempo dance tune you both embarrass yourselves to in the kitchen. Maybe it’s something mellow for evenings where silence feels comforting, not awkward. A shared soundtrack is shorthand for connection—the kind that leaves room for both laughter and longing.

My dating advice? Set the mood; curate your playlist wisely.

5. Fresh Flowers, Always
Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between, let me tell you: there’s no situation that cannot be improved by flowers. Bougainvillea climbing the walls of white-washed houses back in Athens, wildflowers gathered after a hike in Crete, or just a humble supermarket bouquet—it doesn’t matter.

Flowers remind us to appreciate fleeting things. That weekend fling that made your stomach do flips? It might not last, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t beautiful. Relationships, like flowers, thrive when we tend to them but should never be grasped too tightly. Love’s funny like that. Appreciate it when it blooms, and know when to let go when the petals start to fall.

If nothing else, fresh flowers on your nightstand make mornings feel brighter. You’re welcome.

6. A Little Philosophy for the Road
A good love story might start with a shared Netflix binge, but it survives through shared values. Take it from a philosophy nerd like me—what you believe about the big questions effects how you connect with others.

For instance, Aristotle once argued that true friendship is rare because it requires goodwill, mutual respect, and shared virtues. In a world of swipeable profiles and ghosting galore, I’d argue true romance is just as rare—and sacred. So whether you’re into Aristotle or Lizzo, lean into the philosophies that guide you. Share them. Debate them. Build love on a foundation deeper than liking the same pizza toppings.

Because after the pizza is gone, what’s left?

7. Coffee, but Make It Greek
What’s better than coffee? Coffee that makes you slow down. In Greece, there’s no chugging a to-go cup while rushing for the metro (a disastrous habit I picked up in London). Here, coffee is a ritual. You sit. You sip. You let the conversation linger as long as your frappe foam lasts.

Relationships thrive in similar spaces. Allowing time to breathe, to unfold gently without expectations. Some of my best dates weren’t fancy dinners or sky-diving adventures but long chats over lukewarm coffee cups, letting hours slip by effortlessly.

Here’s your takeaway: In both caffeine and love, slowing down is key.

Final Thoughts: The Recipe for Connection
This list isn’t about mere “things”—it’s about what they represent. Olive oil isn’t just for salads; it’s care. Sunsets aren't just for postcards; they're perspective. Saying good morning isn’t routine; it’s recognition. When we slow down enough to hold onto these details, our relationships—whether with ourselves or others—thrive.

In my life, I’ve learned one valuable truth worth passing on: Don’t rush to live or love as quickly as possible. Instead, build a life as you’d cook an impeccable Mediterranean meal. Slowly, deliberately, with a little flair and a lot of heart.

Now, let’s raise a metaphorical glass (or an actual one if you’re inclined). Here’s to your own essentials—and may they bring you closer to the connections you’re meant for. Cheers, or as we say in Greece, "Yamas!”