Welcome to Eirene Cafe
Take off your coat and shoes; we’re better off barefoot here. While you settle in, let me tell you a short story.
Nearly a quarter of the world feels lonely. One in four people worldwide report feeling either very or fairly lonely. In Italy, an astonishing 48% of Italians suffered from loneliness in 2022. Expats, in particular, are at greater risk of experiencing prolonged loneliness.
John Cacioppo, the founder of social neuroscience, explains that loneliness is the feeling of being disconnected from others, of not belonging to a community, or worse yet, the sense that no one cares about you.
At its core, loneliness carries the bitter sting of abandonment.
For humans, abandonment is one of the most distressing experiences. It signals extreme exposure and vulnerability to threats, triggering a primal fear of imminent danger. This activates our sympathetic nervous system—an ancient part of our brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response—sending our bodies into survival mode by releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
What happens when we live with a constantly activated sympathetic nervous system for years?
Loneliness is now considered as dangerous as smoking, junk food, and a sedentary lifestyle, contributing to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal issues, mood disorders, and cognitive decline, just to name a few.
For one in four of us, this is the reality.
So, what is Eirene Cafe?
Imagine it like a spacious room bathed in the warmth of morning sunlight, where the air feels soft and welcoming. The light spills across the floor, creating soft shadows as we come together—vulnerable, open, and supportive of each other. It’s a place not for perfection, but for real connection, where we help each other understand and lift one another up. Abstract paintings and full bookshelves line the walls, packed with stories, ideas, and wisdom, encouraging us to explore, learn, and work together. Coffee cups sit on side tables, their steam rising gently, offering a moment of comfort as we pause, share, and reflect. The smell of coffee mixes with the quiet hum of conversation, grounding us in the moment, while our words and actions ease and lift our hearts—sometimes heavy, sometimes tired, but always seeking understanding and belonging. This room is a refuge, a place where we’re not held by walls, but by each other’s presence, support, and shared stories.
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Collaboration is an essential part of Eirene Cafe. During the first year of the project, other women were regularly involved and generously contributed their expertise, energy, and time. I'll always be grateful for their enthusiasm, professionalism, and availability.
Please note: Eirene Cafe doesn’t offer mental health professional help.
What you’ll find here?
A regular virtual meeting point for expat and English-speaking women, who may be experiencing loneliness and seeking a sense of belonging. Based in Milan, some of these meetings occasionally take place in person.
Eirene Café is a monthly experience: one letter, one conversation, and one gathering over the course of the month.
Letters
A refuge of stories, research, and inspiration. Thoughtfully researched and crafted writings in the form of long reads, sent monthly. An antidote to a world that’s always buzzing and seemingly indifferent.
Conversations
A nourishment for kindred souls who appreciate quiet and depth. At the beginning of every month you’ll find a list of questions and prompts at The Cafe.
Gatherings
An online gathering to connect and bond through thoughtful exchange. We tune in monthly and write our way toward a better understanding of ourselves and the world. Its regular cadence provides a sense of relaxing predictability, safety and intimacy.
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If you're already a subscriber, please take the survey to help me understand how to make Eirene Cafe a better and more welcoming online refuge that encourages heartfelt exchanges.
Join Eirene Cafe
Eirene Café is a community-supported initiative. If you value the effort, believe in its social impact, and find it beneficial for your well-being, consider a free or paid subscription. You can unsubscribe at any time—no matter the type of subscription—with a simple click.
You can also choose a one-time payment per gathering if that suits you better right now.
If paying isn’t possible right now and you’d benefit from the monthly gatherings, email me at eirene.cafe@gmail.com, and I’ll add you to the list—no questions asked.
Who is behind?
I’m Natasha, Eirene Cafe’s host. I’m an expat in my early forties, living in Milan with my family. I’m still in the midst of my flourishing. But I think it’s more accurate if I call it emerging instead—it creates fewer expectations about the outcome.
As an avid reader and book hoarder, it's no surprise that my areas of expertise include many types of communication: from foreign language studies and teaching to branding, graphic design, writing, and photography. Formasoave is the name of my little design studio, where I help small businesses and personal brands bring their ideas to life and share their story with the world in a way that feels honest, meaningful, and timeless.
I embarked on a long journey on September 2024 and went back to university. I’m finally going to immerse myself in my all-time love: the world of psychology and neuroscience. One day, I will have enough knowledge to confidently say: “Well, it depends”.
You can also find me at Formasoave (spoiler: it’s a small design studio).
Eirene Cafe is part of the process of emerging. It’s an ever-evolving attempt to reach that sweet spot where things just feel right, elegantly balanced by both quantity and quality.
Community Guidelines
I know that most people are kind and empathetic, and think twice before saying something that can be hurtful. And when, despite all of our efforts—sometimes even unintentionally—feelings get hurt, we know the majority of us won't hesitate to acknowledge the mishap and apologize.
Yet, group dynamics are complex. Just in case things get heated, I reserve the right to remove anyone who has behaved uncivilly in this space.
Copyright Essentials
All content, both visual and written, is the property of the author, Natasha Nedelkovska, unless otherwise stated.
