Why You Should Have a French Sunday
With the busyness of daily life, it’s normal in many places to spend Sunday preparing for the week ahead. Catching up on laundry, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, and meal prepping are common ways to prepare for the start of the week.
However, in other places, Sunday looks different. A new lifestyle trend called the “French Sunday” draws inspiration from the country’s more relaxed approach to the day, Vice reports. It’s putting self-care at the forefront.
What is a French Sunday?
A “French Sunday” is a trend that’s all about setting productivity aside and using the day for rest and connection. In France, Sunday is a day to rejuvenate and spend time with family. Many shops and supermarkets close, encouraging people to enjoy a quieter rhythm and be present.
For people accustomed to treating Sunday as another day for productivity, the trend may offer a welcome change of pace. “We can create our own stories about what ‘time well spent’ means,” Alex Snider, a facilitator at Slow Mindfulness, contributing author for Psychology Today, and author, tells Vice. “While French families have the same errands that families outside of France have, there’s also a bit more of a permission structure to simply hang out in the park and have long meals with family,” he adds.
How to Have a French Sunday
To adopt this state of mind, you need to first decide not to optimize every minute of the day, according to Vogue. Skip your alarm, leave room in your plans, and let your mood and energy guide you through the day. A French Sunday centers on simple, unhurried pleasures. The morning might begin slowly, perhaps with extra sleep, a leisurely breakfast, or a self-care ritual.
As the day unfolds, immerse yourself in activities that allow you to linger. Prepare a meal from scratch, read outdoors, spend time somewhere beautiful, or stroll through a farmers market. You can also visit a museum, watch movies back-to-back, and reconnect with family members over a long lunch.
The appeal of the trend is how it invites you to slow down without guilt. So let the day unfold naturally, without focusing on what comes next, bask in the little moments, and relish the joy of taking it easy.
