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Lady of Leisure in France
French women are natural ladies of leisure. Time is not filled with mindless doing but rather deliberate pleasure.
You might think French women love handcrafted elegance and luxury brands, but living in France I’ve learned that a lady of leisure desires none of those things.
Here in France, it’s not uncommon to see people doing nothing: lounging in cafes and gazing out the window, reading along the river banks or nibbling cheese samplers at the marche…people in France aren’t in this race to get ahead like they are back home in the U.S.
Rather, they desire living slowly and indulging fully in the now.
A coffee at a cafe is a two-hour affair. Shopping is done slowly and deliberately, with careful intention. And rushing another in line is frowned upon.
Since leaving the United States to become a expat wife or a “lady of leisure.” I’ve experienced feelings of lonliness, guilt, fear and shame over my newfound leisure time.
Questions like “what am I ever doing here? How am I moving up in my life?” I felt that with my newfound leisure time, I had to do more to make up for it. I felt guilty over not being more productive with my time.
But I’ve learned from experience that mindless doing and unconscious productivty stems from fear. Fear of not being enoguh, fear of the unknown, fear of being forgotten.
All fears that I carried with me while living my fast life in New York City. But so many people in the U.S. are exhausted, drained and void of inspiration.
And I believe the reason is a lack of leisure time – whether than be intentionally not planning time for pleasure or the structure and systems that hold American families in place.
In mindful leisure time comes inspiration. In that empty space comes insight. The unknown future is still a mystery but an exciting one!
My transformation from hustling Girlboss to a Lady of Leisure
Since moving to France, I’ve swapped my hustling, ambitious Girlboss personality for a slower, more refined one. I no longer live to work but I work to live.
Like the French women I’ve met, I’ve learned to enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life. And when I spot inspiration, I take action.
A lady of leisure is a woman free of responsibilities or duties. And while you might think it is a polite term for an unemployed woman, I am anything but lazy.
I’m a creative woman that thrives on structure, discipline and routine in order to allow my visions to become tangible.
In fact, as a young expat wife, I am more intrinsically motivated and creative when I have leisure time.
So, my friend….if there is one lesson I’ve learned during my season as a lady of leisure in France, it’s this:
do as the French do and indulge in leisure time. Make it a priority. Make it a discipline. And do it for the sheer pleasure of it.
For isn’t that why we’re even here?
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Free-spirit, author, astrocartographer and all around creative in love with documenting the simple joys of life. I am passionate about noticing light and truth around me and reflecting it back to others.
A gorgeously designed hardcover coffee table book with Helena's photographs from around the globe, this practical how-to guide includes everything needed to live a slow, simplified life. For anyone who's ever felt the pressure to do more, be more, achieve more and feels the desire to let go of the busy go-go-go energy of a time we're living in, this book is for you. Free yourself by living slow.
free yourself
Lead from Your Soul & Live Slow
FROM ME to you
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