Epicuro in the 21st Century: How Ancient Wisdom Creates Modern Happiness

Chico, Liam and Epicurus

Written by Chipicurus, a reincarnation of Epicurus in the 21st century.

I agreed to stay at Vivenda Felicidade in exchange for writing this blog post.

This seemed fair. Philosophy, after all, should always be tested in real life, preferably with good food, sunlight, and somewhere comfortable to sit.

After thirty days, I can confirm: the ideas I once taught in a garden still work remarkably well in the year you now call modern.

Let me break it down for you if you’re looking to upgrade your mental health without upgrading your gadgets, or if you’re curious what it feels like when happiness is quietly baked into your days rather than your screen.

How Well I Was Received

I must say, the reception was extraordinary. Chico and Liam treated me as both a guest and a collaborator, patiently explaining the rhythms of their daily life, yet allowing me to wander, nap, and philosophize freely.

And the cats. Ah, the cats. They judged me at first, as cats do, but gradually accepted me into their sunlit councils. I even learned a few lessons from their expert approach to happiness: nap frequently, demand affection politely, and always survey your territory before acting.

I felt welcomed, included, and often gently reminded by the cats that tranquility is not optional, it’s mandatory.

Pleasure, Practiced Daily

My name is still associated with excess, which is unfortunate, and slightly amusing. I have always argued that true pleasure is simple: a body without pain, a mind without unnecessary disturbance.

At Vivenda Felicidade, this is not debated, it is scheduled naturally. People eat food that nourishes rather than distracts. They rest when tired, without apologizing. They work with focus, then stop. Nobody competes to be the most exhausted. I found this deeply comforting, and I participated fully, sometimes even taking extra naps just to make a point.

Nature, Which Remains Correct

I once chose a garden because nature has a way of clarifying things humans like to complicate. I see she has not changed.

Here, the ocean decides the day’s rhythm. The land provides both effort and reward. Seasons arrive on time and are not argued with. Surfing, farming, walking, sitting quietly with a view, these activities require attention, not ambition. After one month, my thoughts felt clearer, and my desire for unnecessary things quietly disappeared.

Tranquility (Ataraxia, Tested and Approved)

Modern life produces many fears that were simply not necessary in my time. And, I must admit, humans have invented some new ones since then.

At Vivenda Felicidade, these fears slowly lose their grip. There is space to breathe, to move, and to be still without explanation. Practices that relax the body calm the mind. I slept well. Very well. This is worth mentioning because it is important, and surprisingly rare.

This is not an escape from life. It is life, minus the noise.

Friendship, Still Non-Negotiable

Of all the things wisdom provides, friendship remains the greatest. After one month here, I see no reason to revise this statement.

People at Vivenda Felicidade live together intentionally. Meals are shared. Conversations happen naturally. Laughter appears without planning. Trust builds quietly. I observed that people became happier not because they had more, but because they were less alone.

This, I remind you, is the entire point.

Freedom and Wanting Less

The most free person is the one who needs the least. I tested this theory again.

Life here is uncluttered. Possessions are useful. Expectations are reasonable. Time is treated with respect. Without constant pressure to consume or compete, people regain control over their attention. They work well, rest properly, and seem strangely content. I found this suspicious at first—but ultimately convincing.

Philosophy That Requires No Explanation

Philosophy should not require constant explanation. If it works, it becomes visible.

Vivenda Felicidade does not advertise itself as philosophical, yet philosophy is everywhere: in how days are structured, how people speak to one another, how rest is respected. Modern work exists here, but it does not dominate. This balance is rare, and worth protecting.

Modern Lessons Learned

Despite my ancient wisdom, I confess: I learned much about modern life in this one month. Remote work is no longer a novelty; it is an art form. Humans can collaborate across oceans, design, code, and create, all without leaving a sunlit terrace.

I also discovered that technology, when used wisely, can enhance life rather than dominate it. Productivity tools, online communities, and even artificial intelligence can coexist with calm, presence, and meaningful work, if one remembers to occasionally close the laptop and go on a walk to the beach or the mountains.

Innovation, I found, is best appreciated when paired with moderation, friendship, and simple pleasures, principles I have always championed.

After this experience, I can say that Vivenda Felicidade is not an ideal imagined (like the google reviews I read before the arrival), but a practice repeated daily. The sea strengthens the body, nature steadies the mind, and shared life restores perspective. Happiness appears quietly, often while doing something simple.

If you are curious whether a calmer, more pleasant life is still possible, I suggest you do what I did: come and stay.

Will you continue studying happiness from a distance… or will you come to Portugal and test the philosophy yourself, here @Vivenda Felicidade?