You may not live in France but I am sure you’ve heard of the laidback lifestyle the French are known for. The phrase is known as “joie de vivre” meaning to have the exuberant enjoyment of life. Enjoy what each day brings in a cheerful and light-hearted way.
It also summarizes how the French live in a more mindful and relaxed lifestyle where work is not your identity. The French lifestyle is more about living life to the fullest.
For me, it’s living life in the most simplest way, and right now that way is my grandma era.
These days, I can’t imagine anyone isn’t stressed, our life routines are more hectic than we ever wished. If you want to learn to enjoy your life more relaxed and present, let’s take a page from French lifestyle tips.
Get ready to explore the laidback way!
Laidback French lifestyle
To enjoy a joie de vivire lifestyle you need to have a work-life balance and the intention to relax and do things you love. If you are constantly working, coming home exhausted, and unable to relax then your cortisol levels are probably off the charts. Experiencing this kind of burnout can keep you from enjoying life.
Living a more laidback French lifestyle is more about a relaxed routine. Living life with intention. I know that it seems easier saying this than actually doing it, but trust me the end results are worth the squeeze.
Start with your work.
Creating a work-life balance is the first step to creating a laidback lifestyle.
Many of us tend to stay in a job because it maintains our lifestyles or helps us through the cost of living, but it’s making you miserable or causes too much stress. Discover how you can modify your job.
Can you talk to your boss about changing your duties or can you change jobs? Once you figure that out then the rest is easier.
Even if you can’t do anything about your job, here are a few simple tips to help you embrace the laidback French Lifestyle.
Simplify your life by creating a more relaxing space.
So, even if you can’t change jobs make small changes in your daily routine, and you’ll feel the benefits immediately.
Turn off your computer, clean up your desk, and leave. Once you are gone, you are gone. Work is over. You’re not taking calls or emails. That is your time.
Christina’s tip: by the way, you can send emails all you want on the weekend in France but no one will respond. In some companies, it is actually against policy to work or send emails on the weekend.
Set a special time for you to unwind, and relax your thinking.
You could meditate or listen to your favorite music, anything to allow you to decompress.
Discover relaxing hobbies
Relaxed living in France is all about enjoyable hobbies that help you to slow down and live in the moment.
Enjoy a book!
Reading is a favorite pastime in France. Even without the TV tax, many people do not own a television.
Personally, this is one of my favorite pastimes. I love emerging into the world of fiction.
Savor your meals
Eat slowly, sit down at a table set the mood. Romance yourself. Create something special with your meal times. You may find people eating as they walk down the streets, but only when they purchase a baguette. (the end of the baguette is just, (air kiss)). Meals are meant to be an enjoyable time.
A great meal I like to savor is crepes. Click here to get my recipe for sweet and savory creps!
You want to taste everything, even the “love” ingredients.
Sitting down at a table is a huge part of French culture. That is where a meal is savored and where good conversations are had.
Think about Thanksgiving, and how wonderful it is to sit down and pick the foods you are most excited about. The atmosphere is divine.
You’re either talking about things you’re grateful for, arguing about said things whatever it is you’re savoring the meal, the moment!
More tips for embracing the laidback French lifestyle (from anywhere)
1. Each meal should have an emphasis on fresh, local food. Start your morning off in the most gentle way. Spend time really tasting your coffee, feeling the silence and the day around you.
2. Embrace the art of simple elegance. Begin your day by savoring each moment. Leave the house wearing something you feel good in, such as an ironed pair of trousers, a boyfriend button-up blouse, and a loose-fitting blazer.
Simple accessories and Voila! Go for a walk without your phone. Enjoy the little moments
3. Adopted an effortless look. Be chic! Classic and versatile pieces are the heart of any French woman’s wardrobe.
Skin care is the start of the show, more so than make up, and when it comes to make up the French are about enhancing your natural beauty and using lightweight coverages and bronzers. Oh and of course the red lipstick.
4. Minimalistic home decor-no your house doesn’t have to be close to empty or sterile. Enjoy eclectic pieces that are timeless and effortless. Neutral palette with lots of greys, cream and pale blues. Allow artwork to be your pops of colors, as well as dramatic drapes.
In the end
Creating your ideal French lifestyle where ever you are only has one rule, and that is “joie de vivre” and savoring the little luxuries life offers to the fullest.
Don’t try to tackle the laidback way of life as you would with a chore, there is no need to cram anything into your schedule.
Instead, start off small. Turning off your phone, being more present as you slowly take in the morning, the afternoon, or the evening.
The art of slow living and embracing the laidback French lifestyle is meant to feel effortless and indulgent, like some guilty pleasure.
Redefine luxury by taking the time to enjoy the slow moments, such as dipping good bread into a fondue with friends gathered around, taking the scenic route home, wearing your favorite comfy sweats, and lounging while reading and listening to classical music.
Mastering the art of the French lifestyle is a wonderful journey that you can easily incorporate into your life by making little changes in your day.
Of course, if you decide you want to make a drastic change and do everything at once, there are benefits!
And thankfully many are immediate. Our busy lives could use some stress cutting and we all could use some simple pleasures. Exactly how the French enjoy the laidback lifestyle.
