In recent years, more and more people with steady jobs and successful careers have started feeling a deep sense of dissatisfaction. Stress, hectic routines, and goals disconnected from reality are driving many to burnout—a physical and emotional collapse that now affects over 40% of corporate workers.

Faced with this inner crisis, a new trend is emerging: the return to rural life and a more authentic lifestyle. Donata’s story is one of the many examples of people who’ve left the rat race behind to reconnect with Nature and rediscover themselves.

Donata’s Radical Transformation

Donata’s journey tells the inspiring story of a brave woman who gave up her role as a top manager to live in self-sufficiency.

Years spent in meetings, luxury clothes, economic success, and fame were taking away her most precious connection: the bond she felt with the Earth since her childhood. She grew up in a family rooted in natural traditions, and yet life had pulled her away.

In 2017, after a tough confrontation with her company, Donata decided to change everything. She bought a hectare of land in the serene Puglia countryside, planted fruit trees, and imagined a place where humans and Nature could coexist in perfect harmony.

Donata’s Project: the Food Forest

The heart of Donata’s project is the creation of a food forest—a self-sustaining ecosystem that mimics the structure of a natural forest. This isn’t just a garden; it’s a place where fruit trees, aromatic plants, and crops thrive together in perfect balance. Ancient olive trees weave alongside figs, cherries, and pears, while wild plants like couch grass flourish beneath, rediscovered for their traditional healing properties.

To protect the soil, Donata uses natural mulching, a mix of straw and organic waste that prevents erosion and locks in moisture. This technique fosters fertile, living soil teeming with microorganisms and earthworms, the unsung heroes of any healthy ecosystem.

Donata’s structures are built with low-impact materials: her house is under construction using raw earth, clay, and straw—all natural, biodegradable, and locally available. Every element of her project follows one simple rule: harmony with Nature. There’s no heavy machinery, no waste, just intelligent use of what the Earth already provides.

Happy Degrowth: Living Better With Less

The concept of "happy degrowth" lies at the heart of Donata’s lifestyle. This movement, introduced by French economist Serge Latouche, offers an alternative societal model rooted in reducing waste, minimalism, and reclaiming free time.

Happiness, in this vision, is no longer tied to material possessions but to the quality of relationships, rediscovered time, and meaningful contact with Nature. Degrowth isn’t about deprivation—it’s about finding balance, sharing resources, and clearing out the unnecessary to make room for true happiness.

If you’re keen to dive deeper into this idea, check out “Farewell to Growth” by Latouche. These works dismantle the myth of endless “progress,” which, in truth, is impoverishing us spiritually, ecologically, and emotionally.

Eco-Friendly Living

Donata’s daily routine is a shining example of a ecological and sustainable lifestyle. There are no bills: she cooks and heats using a wood-burning stove, her power comes from solar panels, and water flows directly from spring wells, pumped up using solar energy. Even the compost toilet reduces environmental impact, transforming waste into nutrient-rich compost for her garden.

In her food forest, Donata avoids machinery and chemicals, relying on crop rotation and direct sowing. Each plant is valued for its role in the ecosystem, creating a fertile, productive environment. By letting the plants work together and follow their natural cycles, Donata reduces her own intervention because, as she says:

“Nature is abundance and harmony—you just have to listen and follow its rhythm.”

Reconnecting With Nature

Donata encourages everyone to reconnect with Nature through simple daily actions. Whether it’s growing a plant on your balcony, walking through a park, or listening to the sounds of Nature, these small steps allow us to rediscover serenity and our most authentic selves.

Every morning, Donata wakes up to the song of birds. She starts her day with meditation and hands-on work, reconnecting to life’s simple pleasures. Rediscovering this deeper side of herself, she explains, has been the key to true wellbeing.

Today, more and more people turn to Donata for guidance, looking for inspiration to change their lives and find a more balanced, natural way of living.

In A Nutshell

Donata’s story, that of a former top manager who embraced self-sufficiency in the Puglian countryside, proves that living better with less is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. With a thriving food forest, eco-friendly structures, and a simple lifestyle, Donata shows that real wealth lies in our authentic connection with ourselves, others, and Nature. And yes, this life can be within everyone’s reac