I grew up in France, where Sundays have their own distinctive feeling. It’s not just another day of the week for us — and even though I’ve moved to the US, it’s something I’ve taken with me.
On Sundays, most traditional shops and services are closed, with only a few exceptions in tourist areas. It’s a day dedicated to slowing down and resetting. I haven’t lived in France for 10 years, but I still continue to uphold the tradition of unwinding on Sundays, and I have no intention of changing it.
Sundays are for slowing down and relaxing
When I was living in France, I couldn’t go grocery shopping on Sundays or buy a new pair of jeans as the shops were closed. Now that I reside in the US, I maintain this habit of organizing my time so that I can run errands on the other days of the week, even late at night, but never on Sundays. I don’t do chores either. Vacuuming can wait until another day — responding to emails can, too.
Sundays are dedicated to reconnecting with my family, my friends, and myself. The key is to savor the day without rushing from one activity to another while prioritizing self-care.
My mornings at home are always relaxed, spent enjoying slow moments with my family, listening to jazz, practicing slow-flow yoga, or playing games. In the afternoon, I like to have friends over to share a glass of wine. I don’t even cook on Sundays, since it’s not my favorite activity and I handle it during the week. I’m perfectly happy with a plate of pasta and sometimes even skip the salad.
French Sundays are not a waste of a day
When I moved to the US, I noticed a different approach to Sundays; there, they are often viewed as a catch-up day for everything that wasn’t done during the week. My American friends tend to prefer their Sundays to be productive.
I believe French Sundays are even more beneficial than a day focused on productivity. It doesn’t mean lying on the couch all day scrolling on the phone, but rather engaging in activities that restore my mind and body. My brain cannot remain in productivity mode constantly; it requires some downtime. By allowing myself to slow down on Sundays, I feel less anxious and stressed. This gives me a chance to recharge, and I know I will have more energy and be more productive for the coming week.
Even my daughter enjoys French Sundays
My 9-year-old daughter appreciates that on Sundays, she doesn’t have to rush to anything, which is a relief. She has time to wake up and enjoy breakfast. There is no homework to worry about, as she was responsible for doing it beforehand. She can go at her own pace to do what she wants, like reading or crafting. That’s also the perfect occasion to have some slow time with her parents.
I do not schedule any structured activities for her, aside from having free play with her friends. If she is invited to a big birthday party, I don’t decline, but I’m careful to give her enough time afterward to relax and reset for the week.
When her friends’ parents asked me what we did on Sundays, and I replied, “Nothing special, we stayed at home,” they often looked at me as if my daughter was missing out. They typically went to soccer practice, then to the mall or a theme park. However, I discovered that having a quieter Sunday allowed my daughter to rest and concentrate better at school in the following week.
French Sundays is a mindset. Being able to let go is not for everybody. However, it’s certainly worth a try. For me, they are essential for a less stressful week.
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