Not sure if you’ve noticed, but I have a thing with Paris. I think about it so often. I love Paris. I CRAVE Paris.
One of my dear clients, in the car on the way to our second shoot location, led me through a ‘personality test’ which highlights things from your subconscious about your life.
The room I was asked to imagine (unbeknownst to me at the time) symbolised my life.
I had imagined a light filled Parisian apartment. Polished timber herringbone parquetry floors, ornate cornices, sunshine hitting the walls making shapes on the art and photography decorating it. It wasn’t a perfect apartment, the paint was peeling and there were some cracks in the walls but they were endearing in that old European building kind of way. Beauty at every glance. The room felt warm, inviting, inspiring.
This, according to the test, is how I perceive my life.
When I ran the test with my Mum she described a Balinese room similar to her lounge room. All of her answers reflected some connection to that tropical Bali style and it dawned on me - “Oh my God! Mum!! You still haven’t been to Bali!” (I had booked to take her there for her 60th but COVID ruined that)
I started to gush about Bali and how much she would love it and how we HAVE to go.
She looked at me and said “Hon, I don’t think I need to go to Bali. I have created my version of Bali here”
I’m not sure if my Mum realises how wise she is or if she does and just downplays it. But it got me thinking… What IS it that I crave about Paris? Why do I always dream of being there? What is it about that place??
And then it clicked…
“The first time I walked in Paris there was a great remembering of a thousand different dreams”
When I am in Paris, I feel my most fabulous self. I dress up every day, even if it’s just to pop outside for a coffee. Normally I CBF’ed about make-up but in Paris I wear winged eyeliner every day and add volume to my hair, Brigitte Bardot style. I smile and say Bonjour to everyone who makes eye contact in the street because I am just so damn happy. I buy fresh flowers. I flaneur… (wander around with my no destination in mind, just for the joy)
If that is the place where I feel happiest and most alive then why am I not doing those same things here? In my everyday? What do those things represent for me?
I looked at the things I do in Paris and, as an experiment, have been applying them to my life here in the casual beachside small town that I live in and love… It’s been a week now and my joie de vivre has expanded exponentially. ‘Joie de vivre’ means a ‘Hearty or carefree enjoyment of life’ and ‘Enjoyment of living; happiness, ebullience, zest for life’
Now, just to be clear and honest, I was enjoying life before this little experiment but here are some of the things I’ve been adding in to my days…
I take extra time to get ready rather than pulling on the first thing that’s laying on the ground.
I light candles for dinner every night.
I use the good crystal for my water glass.
I’ve traded my comfy flats for fabulous high heels for dinner dates.
I’m being more daring with my outfits. (Moira Rose being my inspo just so you can get a visual!)
I smile and say hello to ANYONE who glances at me. (I was already doing this but I feel I have turned up my radiance and the effects are noticeable.)
I will just go outside and bask in the sun.
I stop to smell flowers in the street and don’t care if I look like a weirdo.
I wander shops without buying, just to admire pretty things and chat with random people.
My home is filled with jazz and soft French music.
I read books, old magazines and newspapers rather than watching TV.
I flit around the house in oversized white shirts and black lace knickers… because PARIS energy.
And I have no doubt this list will continue… because what I realised is I’m not craving Paris. I’ve been craving my authentic expression… and for whatever rhyme or reason Paris is the place where I first truly felt that.
There are many things that lead us back home to ourselves and our true unique expression… Our never ending task is to recognise them.
When we stop and look inside we find it’s all there just patiently waiting to be revealed.
Happy hunting…
Bisous xx