When school is in session, there is no stopping.
The morning is a blur: rousing the children, enforcing the “get dressed, brush teeth, and stay off the tablet” commandments, and shoveling down some form of breakfast. That’s just the starting gun. Then begins the real sprint: the commute, the job, the after-work pick-up from grandma or daycare, the relentless battle over homework, and the slightly-too-late, slightly-overcooked dinner.
Groundhog Day of the same exhausting routine. By the time I finally settle into bed—determined to read five pages of that book everyone is talking about—I’m usually asleep before 9 p.m., cuddling a cold Kindle and thanking everything I believe in that we don’t have soccer practice on Tuesdays.
All of it can be very stressful, and it always makes me ask the same question: Why is life so frenetic? Why do we build schedules that demand this much mental and emotional energy just to survive?
Living here in Normandy, France, I’ve had the unique opportunity to observe a different rhythm. A rhythm that seems to value intentionality over efficiency, and pause over productivity. While they certainly have busy days, the French, in general, approach the morning not as an obstacle to survive, but as a deliberate opportunity to set a calm tone.
They don’t dash. They don’t graze. They live. And there are three simple, almost poetic things they do that completely change the trajectory of their day, and they have nothing to do with fancy recipes or expensive clothes.
Three Simple French Habits to Slow Down Your Morning
1. The Unrushed Petit Déjeuner
Most French people are not up at the crack of dawn; they tend to wake up closer to 7 a.m. More importantly, from there, it is not a mad dash for the door. The French are masters of the slow, deliberate start.
The many people I’ve encountered here educated me on the ritual: they tend to prepare a tea or coffee and read the newspaper while sitting with their children as they eat breakfast. The entire process of preparing for the day is unhurried. One must dress with intent, choosing clothes that bring personal pleasure, rather than just grabbing whatever is clean. This focus on the sensory ritual of a shared, slow breakfast sets a foundational tone of calm.
2. The Intentional Movement
I’ve noticed French people, especially those in larger towns like Caen, are incredibly active. Before going to work, they tend to take a walk, go jogging, or cycle.
It’s a practical way to clear one’s head, enjoy the crisp morning air, and set the body clock without the pressure of a gym membership or complicated workout schedule. It’s not about burning calories; it’s about creating space between the sleeping world and the working world, ensuring you arrive at your destination mentally, not just physically, ready.
3. The Desk-Side Pause
After arriving at work, they don’t just plop down and start plugging away. They will take a moment to make themselves a proper cup of coffee or tea, often socializing briefly with a colleague.
This simple act serves as a buffer. It separates the chaotic commute from the focused tasks ahead. It sets the tone that the day is manageable, and keeps them from stressing about one deadline or another from the moment they sit down. It’s a surprisingly good, simple step toward taking control of the day’s pace.
I hope this peek into the Normandy rhythm inspired you to find a few minutes of calm in your own routine. The truth is, slowing down isn’t about clearing your calendar entirely; it’s about claiming small moments of intentionality where you already are.
Until Next time
Christina
