The Art of the French Sunday

The trend of spending Sundays slow and low is often associated with the French way of life. The French know how to relax and do things on their own time, all while savoring the love for life. So it makes sense that the practice of the French Sunday is the ultimate way to create space for you and the things that make you happy. This could be spent completely on your own or with those you love. Or, if you’re like me, that’s a little of both.

So how do you practice a French Sunday?

Don’t set an alarm – Wake up when you want to and allow yourself to linger a little longer in your favorite pajamas as you ponder life….or simply what you’ll have for breakfast.

Let the Light In – Open blinds and windows, even if just a sliver. No matter what season you’re in, it’s good to let a little fresh air and natural light in the house to wake you up and get the stale air out of the house.

Make Coffee an Event – Even before getting ready for the day, take time to prepare your favorite morning coffee or tea in your signature cup and sip it slow as you think about the wonderful day ahead, or think about nothing at all….it’s your day after all.

Leave the Laundry – As tempting as it may be to fold your clothes or clean your floors, just relax!! The cleaning will be there tomorrow. Better yet, if you plan ahead, you can get those “to-dos” checked off your list on Friday or Saturday, because, everyone knows it’s much easier to relax in a clean house.

Get Back to Nature – Try forest bathing, work in your garden, or pop over to the local farmer’s market. The point is, get outside the house and enjoy Mother Nature.

Create a Wellness Routine – I love a good spa day, but they get expensive. Creating your own spa or wellness routine at home can help you relax your mind while also minding your budget. Light a candle, put on your favorite music, then get started. Try a home facial, take a long hot bubble bath, give yourself a pedicure – whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy and feeling beautiful is worth it… because you are worth it.

Go Tech Free – I admit, this will be hard. Doomscrolling has become major past time for many of us, and I get why. But giving yourself even 2-3 hours of tech-free time can improve your mood and reduce your stress, not to mention it gives you more time to do everything else.

Take a Nap – Napping doesn’t have to be a luxury reserved for the rich or retirees. Having a proper nap on a Sunday is such an underrated way to recharge and reset before Monday hits. Grab a blanket, a pillow and set yourself up on your favorite couch or lounge chair. Just be sure your nap is earlier in the day to avoid being wide awake at bedtime.

Try Something New – Whether it’s that book you’ve been meaning to read, a new exhibit at a local museum, a yoga class, or an online tutorial on latte art – now is the time to broaden your mind, your skills and your cultural awareness.

Savor a Meal – Spend a little time in advance prepping your favorite meal or a new recipe you’ve been wanting to try. Embrace the process of creating your meal from scratch, then set the table with your best dinnerware and allow yourself to take extra long to enjoy your creation.

These are just a few ways to live like the French and create a Sunday full of your favorite things. No need to do all of these in one day either – you can spread these ideas over several Sundays and add new ideas as you go. And if Sunday is not your traditional day off, no worries. This practice can be applied anytime you have a full day or even a few consecutive hours at your disposal.