A European Summer
Are you summering like an American or Parisian?
On Wednesday, I received a text message from my American friend, Ellen. After living in Paris for 5 years with her French husband, she recently moved back to California. Ellen asked, “How’s your American summer?? I am missing Euro summer! Not the heat but the relaxed vibes and warm water.” Since I was in the middle of writing this Postcard, Ellen’s comment really hit home. I was already pondering the differences between European and American summers and she said it perfectly. European summers are more relaxed.
Although we live in Paris, my family and I spend the summers in the U.S. Right now, I’m in Austin doing all the American summer things- kids camp, trips to see family, pool parties, dinners with friends, and a ton of play dates. All while working, attempting to eat healthy, keeping up with my workout routine, etc etc. If you’re a mom, you know. The summer is special and beautiful. I’m grateful for the blue skies, sunshine, watching my daughter play with her American friends, and seeing family and friends. And it’s very very busy.
There’s one thing I can’t stop thinking about. Americans are doing the MOST during the summer months (and year round if we’re being honest). We are overextended, our schedules are over booked, there’s little time for leisure, and we do it ALL with a smile (especially in Texas since it’s sooo friendly here). Our kids are in camps, practicing multiple sports, we’re hosting lavish kids birthday parties, and shuttling our families around all day long. Europeans don’t do this. Their schedules and lifestyles are a lot more chill with more leisure time especially in the summer. They are at the beach, relaxed, sipping their fresh orange juice and chilled Chablis.
Recently when I asked my French friend about her childhood summers in the South of France (aka “the South”), she simply replied, “I just laid by the pool and read books with my brother.” No camp, no busy schedule, no school homework for the next school year. Just simpler. Are we over complicating things here?
Even when Americans visit Europe, they do the most. It’s a stereotype that we go to places for just a few days instead of immersing into the culture. We’ll “do” London, Paris, Rome, and Barcelona in a 2 week trip. That’s very un-European. They go somewhere and stay there. They aren’t hitting 4 countries in 14 days. You know? During the summer, you’ll find Parisians in the South of France with their books, Sancerre, slowing down, and not returning emails.
Bottom line. Let’s slow down, do less, and enjoy life a little more like the Europeans.
Bisous,
Allison
P.S. Btw, if you’re wondering if it’s “an” or “a” European, it’s A European but An American. It’s confusing so I had to Google it to be sure. Don’t want to disappoint my English major mother. jk but not really.
To read What Parisians are Really Wearing Today, click here. It’s my most popular Postcard ever!
To see my interior design portfolio and press, click here.
To navigate the Paris Flea Market like a local, click here.
Follow me on Instagram at @allison.crawford
European summer here (in Italy). Everyone is on the sun lounger at the beach or lake all day, feeling productive, because this is what you are supposed to do with your summer!
As an American (New Yorker), now living in Tuscany with my French husband, we are loving a European summer. Summer is meant to be restorative not taxing. I had to move overseas to learn this! 🙈