Why French? Why can’t it be the Americans, the Asians? Or just us?
The reason behind it is because people who live in France don’t talk about work, money or materials that they have in life at all times like we do but they talk about pleasures and joy. Their happiness doesn’t only come within the style, language, people or food that they had, but also from their mindfulness and intentions to live! They’ll do all they can just to squeeze a little bit of pleasure that is possible. Here’s how:
Image source: @Alex Harmuth
1. Being intellectually wealthy
In France, people don’t bother what car you are driving or what bag you’re carrying. But, they care about one’s intellectual wealth and if he/she is well-educated. Reading and learning are indeed one of the largest parts of French’s life. You can always see people in France are either reading a newspaper or book or if not, they might be watching an opera or visiting an art museum. Cultural activities are always on their to-do list. Don’t do readings because you want to fake it, but because you’re curious and wanted to enrich your life.
Image source: @Thoa Ngo
2. Embrace your mealtime (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
You can’t ask a French to skip their meal, because mealtime is sacred to them. They don’t spare time for meals, but they intentionally make time for it. Sitting down and enjoying a good meal is something that has been practised by the French since forever. They don’t delay their mealtime like people living in the cities and they are very mindful of what they eat and the portion of it. Make sure you’ll start maintaining a balanced diet and never skip your meals again, you shouldn’t be starved!
Image source: @Alexandra Dementieva
3. Be a “Flâneur”
What’s that? It’s a word that you can’t find the exact meaning of in English. Flâneur simply means strolling on the street and observing around. This is also one of the common things that the French do to slow down their pace and enjoy every little moment of life. No phone, no purpose, and nobody aside, just wandering around. Even we are not allowed to go out during this lockdown, but you might also do it at the nearest park or around the neighbourhood to grab some fresh air. Try not to heading straight to your sofas and beds after a long day, you’ll find yourself less stressed.
Image source: @Léonard Cotte
4. Always get dressed and wear your perfume
Come on! You don’t really need an occasion to dress up and look pretty, okay? In France, people don’t only dress up to attend an event, but also to make themselves feel good and looking refined. We know most of us are staying in our home right now and probably only a little of you would purposely dress up and put on makeup to feel good. But believe us, it makes a difference. ‘Squeeze a little bit of pleasure that you can‘, remember that? Put on your favourite lipstick, spray your best-scented perfume and slay your day! Look good, feel good.
Image source: @Mathilde Langevin
5. Be minimalistic
Practice less is more. One of the bad sides of living in the urban areas is that we would be very addicted to shopping and buying. Space is something very limited in France and people were forced to make it a habit to buy less and keep less. They don’t have huge closets like us and they only love to keep the pieces that can be easily matched with others. When was the last time you tidy your wardrobe? It’s time to clear it up and free up your mind and wallet for better use!
Image source: @Alyssa Strohmann
6. Have a deep conversation
Find someone that you’re closed or comfortable with and start a meaningful conversation. In France, people would prefer a long deep conversation about certain things than a short and quick talk about nothing. You can see French spending their whole day with their friends on the alley seats of a cafe for the whole day, all they need is just a glass of wine, a cup of coffee, some snacks and an insensitive topic to chat for. One thing that the French will never talk about is Money (somehow this is what initiates the most conversations among us), the reason is that they think it’s vulgar.
Image source: @Matthieu Joannon
7. Enjoy every little thing in life
Do whatever makes you happy, of course not the illegal ones. Ask yourself what you should do today to feel better? It can be buying a bouquet of fresh flowers, baking a cake, having a cup of aromatic latter or even cooking a hearty breakfast for yourself. French practice embracing every little thing that happens in their everyday life and enjoys every bit of pleasure from it. Stop waiting for someone to give you a call to cheer you up or send you a treat to make you feel sweet, you are your own source of happiness. If your happiness comes from doing nothing, then just don’t do it. There’s no specific formula for this and you need to have your personal time.
Image source: @Taisiia Shestopal
If you’ve no idea how fascinating the French lifestyle is, maybe you should watch this!
All in all, this article is not to highlight which culture is the best one, but there is always something that we can learn from each nation’s culture. We hope this article gives you a little more inspiration on how to live better and happier.
