French Trends

daily trends we could learn from the French 

Slow down 

take a deep breath for a second. 

are you able to do that without thinking of your to do list and feeling guilty for stopping your task? you should. allow time for work, rest and play. allow time for breaks. the way you spend today is the way you live your life. do you want to look back and realize all you did was work? 

instead, eat your lunch without touching your phone or doing a task - just sit there and enjoy your food. then, work hard but after take a full step away. don’t feel bad about it. you’re able to work more diligently and be more present each day when you are actually making thoughtful choices, instead of mindless ones. 

anti-materialism 

in the states people tend to work so they can buy more. here, they work to live, to eat and to enjoy slowing down. not to work more then shop more. you feel truly independent when your things aren’t ruling over you. 

living privately

you are allowed to enjoy the quiet of your home and not feel the need to share your whole life on social media & to every person who asks. you can enjoy the little things without posting about them every 10 minutes. 

walking

it is freeing, life giving, and really slows you down. notice things as you walk. another store closed, a tree started sprouting buds. put your phone down, and you won’t trip. 

biking 

a bit faster than walking but still allows you to recognize the places that pass. also you really feel like you’re in a movie and that’s fun. feel the breeze on your face as you get a little exercise. 

take the stairs

you have to, there’s no elevator. but it also adds to the daily opportunities to stay fit. 

bread & cheese 

daily necessities. don’t feel bad for eating them when you unknowingly work out this much. find joy in eating not guilt. food here is so pure. 

take a break for priorities 

they take quite a few smoking breaks, but what if we took a break for things that were priorities to us? like take a step back from work when your wife or kid calls on the phone or coffee or a walk. 

be real. be authentic. don’t be fake

the last thing french people are is fake. they will tell you exactly how it is. and that’s hard to hear sometimes, but i think Americans tend to be really fake. i’ve been guilty of that. so being authentic doesn’t mean you need to be rude, or completely blunt, but be honest in love, and when asked share how you truly feel. 

speak as who you are, not who you wish you were. 

make time for a cup of coffee 

not in a to go cup, to stay. sit still. for 10 minutes and don’t touch your phone. watch people. look around. listen.