A Full Day in My Life in Portugal
Welcome to another peek into my everyday life here in Portugal. This is one of those very normal days where I balance working from home, cooking simple but delicious meals, running errands around town, and enjoying the little things — from grocery shopping to spending time outdoors with Lara.
It may sound ordinary, but to me, it’s exactly these small routines that make life here so special.
A Slow Morning at Home
The day begins quietly at home with a few hours of work. I’m grateful for the flexibility of working from home — it allows me to start the mornings slowly and create a cozy workspace in my own house, which I love.
This morning, though, wasn’t perfectly quiet. The sound of gardeners working outside filled the air, so I closed the doors and windows to keep the noise away. Once my tasks were finished, it was time to move on to errands and daily routines.
Before leaving, I got myself ready with a very simple routine: brushing my curly hair, finishing it with a curl comb and leave-in cream, and applying a serum for my eyebrows and lashes. No makeup today — just keeping it light and natural.
And of course, before stepping out, I cooked lunch for Joen. He gets hangry if I don’t! Today’s menu was baked padrón peppers and a fresh tomato rice salad. I love cooking with what I already have at home, never following a strict recipe. Cooking feels almost like meditation to me, and I always try to balance textures — something crunchy, creamy, fresh, and rich all in one plate.
To finish, I added avocado, sesame seeds, chili flakes, tamarind chutney, sambal, and crispy fried onions on top. Lunch served! Hopefully, Joen would approve — though our dog Lara clearly thought it was meant for her.
Running Errands & Local Finds
With lunch done, it was time to head out. The weather was hot, so I took my scooter — the easiest way to move around.
My first stop was one of my favorite shops on the island. It’s a small organic store that sells mostly natural foods, supplements, and wellness products. I only picked up a few essentials this time, like some healthy diet-friendly noodles. One of the things I always notice here is how kind and friendly the staff are — shopping feels like a little ritual in itself.
Since I was already in the center, I decided to take a short walk through one of the beautiful public gardens. Madeira is incredibly lush and full of flowers, and every time I pause in these green spaces, I feel thankful for living here. Roses are my favorite, and even just fifteen minutes in the garden gives me a complete reset before moving on with the day.
The last errand was for Lara. I stopped by Snochies, my favorite pet shop on the island. They have such a wide selection of natural treats and products, and I always read the labels carefully to make sure she gets only the healthiest ingredients. Lara has a favorite brand of snacks, so I stocked up before heading back home.
Afternoon with Lara
Coming back home is always special because Lara is there to greet me with so much love. She’s full of energy and curiosity, and today she was especially happy to try one of the new snacks I bought for her. Luckily, she approved right away.
Meanwhile, I discovered that Joen hadn’t cleaned up after lunch — so I took care of the dishes before preparing something light for myself. Lately, I’ve been eating more simply, and broccoli soup has become a favorite. It’s low in calories, nourishing, and surprisingly filling, making it perfect for those moments when I want something healthy but still comforting.
Evening in the Park & Conversations
Since the weather was so beautiful, we decided to spend the afternoon in Santa Catarina Park, right in the center of Funchal. It’s a well-kept park with incredible ocean views, and it has become one of our favorite spots to unwind.
We usually bring a book, sit in the grass, and just enjoy the calm surroundings while Lara plays with her ball. She could chase it forever, and her joy makes these moments even better.
There’s also a cozy little café inside the park, so we stopped there for a drink. I love how conversations with Joen always flow so easily — we never run out of things to talk about. Even a simple coffee together feels meaningful in this kind of setting.
As the sun began to set, we headed back home, ready to cook dinner before the evening fully arrived.
Simple Dinners & Cozy Evenings
Back home, it was time to prepare dinner. On the menu: asparagus tacos — one of Joen’s favorites since he’s been vegetarian for the past two years. They’re easy to make, yet so delicious when paired with a homemade tomato salsa.
I also learned a small kitchen trick recently: if you keep onions in the fridge, they won’t make your eyes sting when you chop them. Simple tips like this make cooking even more enjoyable. For flavor, I added fresh coriander (or cilantro, depending on what you call it!) and topped everything with sour cream — because no tacos are complete without it.
Dinner was light, satisfying, and easy to prepare. Alongside the tacos, I had more of my broccoli soup — my go-to comfort food lately.
After eating, we ended the evening in the coziest way: watching YouTube together, sometimes even my own videos. It’s funny to re-watch them and reflect on these ordinary yet meaningful days.
Closing Reflections
This was just a very normal day in my life here in Portugal — nothing extraordinary, yet filled with the routines and little rituals that bring me joy. From working at home and cooking with love, to small errands, walks in nature, and evenings spent with Joen and Lara, these are the moments that truly make life feel rich.
Thank you for spending the day with me — and if you’d like to follow along more closely, you can always join me on YouTube for more slow living and everyday inspiration.
No Comments