Five Ways to Embrace the French Lifestyle in the New Year

I love New Year’s resolutions. I can’t say that I’m very good at maintaining every one of them, but the idea is so alluring — a moment to begin anew, an opportunity to learn a new hobby or rekindle an old one, a chance for a little self-reflection and self-improvement, and a time for positive change.

This past year was the catalyst for many of my personal goals in 2022. Moving to North Carolina, being closer to my family, and resurrecting the French Grits blog were some of my favorite things to come out of 2021. This series of events lead to a desire to creatively express myself through sharing my love of food, our new hometown and an appreciation for the French lifestyle that I’ve admired since I was a little girl. Now a thirty-something year old mother of three, I’m inspired to find small ways to cultivate that joie de vivre I feel every time I set foot in France.

Here are five ways I’m embracing the French lifestyle in the new year. I hope you find a few that inspire you to enjoy life comme les Français, no matter where you live! 

1. Shop Frequently at the Farmers’ Market
   One of the things I enjoy most about living in Charlotte is access to various farmers markets and farm stands. I have to be very conscious not to overbuy produce when I’m there. I get so excited by all of the fresh food, the colors, the smells, the people, and the conversations with local vendors. It’s sensory overload in the best way. Shopping at the farmers’ market is a great way to eat foods that are in season and locally sourced. If you don’t have access to nearby farmers’ markets, try to shop for produce at your grocery store that’s in season as best as you can.

2. Embrace Mealtimes
   One habit from last year that I will carry into 2022 is setting the table for dinner. It’s the one meal of the day where the entire family sits down together. The kids love how “fancy” dinnertime feels, simply by using a tablecloth, cloth napkins and putting a glass bottle of water and candles on the table. It really does elevate the experience of sharing a meal together. Even if it’s a spaghetti and jar of sauce kind of night, these simple touches set the tone that mealtimes are important. 

3. Savor the Simple Things
   The older I get, the more I appreciate the simple things. Perhaps it stems from a current phase in life where days are consumed by work, raising children and everything in between. Making an effort to slow down and enjoy life’s everyday pleasures is a real treat: reading a book, enjoying the Sunday paper, putting fresh flowers in the house, and trying new recipes. Think of little things that make you happy and make time to indulge in them each week.

4. Take Daily Walks
   For me, walking is not just about burning calories or breaking a sweat. It’s certainly a perk, but the bigger benefits are the chance to breath fresh air, observe the world around you and move the body. Don’t even worry about changing into your performance leggings and sneakers for this. Throw on a pair of comfortable walking shoes with whatever you’re wearing and hit the pavement. Just get outdoors and wander. 

5. Explore Cultural Activities in Your Town
   In the Southern United States, football is a religion. And I haven’t an athletic bone in my body. I enjoy a good tailgate and a hotdog at the ballpark, but that’s more about the food than the sporting event. The arts are my jam. My goal this year is to visit more museums, go to a live music concert, watch a performance at the ballet, the opera, the theatre, or attend a lecture. Expand those cultural horizons in 2022! 
   

   Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!