Bonjour to you all! Are you wondering what the heck the Yin and Yang of Joie de Vivre means? Me, too. I made it up, but I think it means that no matter what is going on in your life, you should be able to access joy and serenity. Easier said than done, and certainly there are extreme times when it’s appropriate and normal not to find much joy, too. I’m talking more about those pesky day to day stressors we encounter and how to manage the toll they take on our well-being. Sometimes when many small things go wrong it can build up and really hit hard emotionally and physically. We can become out of balance.
According to Wikipedia, yin and yang is “a Chinese philosophical concept that describes opposite but interconnected forces.” My daughter’s drawing, Balance, above, beautifully illustrates the yin and yang dynamic. This is an ancient, complex philosophy but for today’s blog I will stick to my own simplistic concept of good/bad, light/dark, receptive/active. On the other hand, joie de vivre is the French term for “joy of living” — a way of life that promotes enjoyment and a happy spirit. In France, a life well lived is an art form. That is why they take long lunch breaks, sit in cafes for hours on end, and are known for gourmet food that is to be savored with a glass of fine wine. Not too shabby.
Lately, my life has been a bit too hectic. Some minor health setbacks, a sick cat and veterinary bills (!), family issues, truck repairs, reroofing my house and various other unexpected expenses and stressors have left me feeling out of alignment. This is challenging for me because I am the type to want to fix things right away and make them all better. There comes a time, however, when it is okay to accept that life is not all unicorns and kittens. Rather, it can also be as dirty and prickly as climbing a cactus-strewn mountain….with rattlesnakes hiding around big boulders.
Admittedly, I love Instagram and follow a lot of Parisiennes (and Americans!) who exude charm, grace and serenity. I truly enjoy the international fashion, art, beauty and lifestyle aspect of social media. Amidst gorgeous museums and the bustling cafes of Paris, (and throughout Europe and the good ol’ USA), these influencers exemplify calm and centeredness. Now their lives aren’t perfect — and quite frequently, they write about their struggles, doubts and burnout. These accounts are inspiring, however, and motivate me to want to look and feel like my best self. I am always seeking ways to conserve my energy and pare down my life to those essential experiences that provide me with the most joy.
Yet, with the tumultuous past few months, there have been days when joy seemed out of reach. It’s easy to find peace of mind when life is peachy keen. When we are faced with situations that raise our blood pressure or cause unease, what can be done to find our center again? As you can tell, I’ve been asking myself this question a lot lately. On this quest for inner serenity, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, listening and journaling. Hence, I’ve curated my own handy dandy list of 10 ways to feel more Joie de Vivre when your yin and yang are playing a tug of war:
- Music — Spotify is my spirit animal. After years of enduring advertisements, I finally splurged and got the premium “no commercials” plan. I love creating playlists, finding an inspiring podcast, or just plugging in “Best of Sinatra” and viola!
- Cats — Or pets of any kind. Cleaning a litter box is not joyful, but petting them, playing with them, watching their antics is very calming and amusing. If you follow me on Instagram @ctburbank you know I take pictures of my three felines ad nauseam and have made ridiculous reels with them. Silly, yes; therapeutic, also yes.
- Coffee/tea — Savoring a cup of hot coffee with cream is primal. I also love tea, but am more of a coffee drinker, by and large. Keurig is my daily go to; when I need a little extra luxury I use a small French press. Pair that with a buttery croissant and life is beautiful.
- Books — I’m an avid reader. I prefer non-fiction to fiction, these days. My mood might take me from Killers of the Flower Moon to The French Art of Living Well. Reading expands the mind and can also be a great escape. I like to learn stuff, too.
- Baking/Cooking — We are not supposed to eat for emotional reasons. I get it. But preparing and baking chocolate chip cookies stirs my soul. Also, smelling a meal slowly cooking in the crock pot, flavors blending over time, is pure Heaven. Hooray for comfort food! Sue me.
- Flowers — I’ve gotten in the habit of buying flowers. Flowers enhance the environment which is an instant mood booster. (Trader Joes sells lovely bouquets at a reasonable price.)
- Meditate — There are plenty of apps out there. I love Insight Timer and it is free. You can pay for premium downloads, but I find the free content to be outstanding! I swear by this app that has helped me calm down during a few storms!
- Gardening — Find a hobby that relaxes you and puts you in a Zen mode. I’m really not that good at gardening, but I like having a hobby that I have no expectations about. Writing is a passion and task where I hold myself to very high expectations and standards; gardening, not so much. I do my best and hope my plants survive.
- Exercise — Talking a walk used to be my main source of exercise. Recently I joined a gym and surprisingly love it! (Truthfully, I honestly wasn’t sure I’d enjoy it.) I go on the treadmill, use a few machines, and feel great. Sometimes my daughter joins me as an added perk. Usually, I’m listening to my above mentioned Spotify for motivation.
- Family and Friends — Here is where yin and yang play out in spades. As a professed introvert, I need a lot of quiet time alone for reflection and contemplation; equally, I need quality time with my loved ones and friends enjoying conversation, wining and dining, laughing, pondering life, and as I am nosy, asking my adult children too many questions.
As I was writing this list, so many other ideas came to mind. I find cleaning and organizing my house therapeutic. Having a neat and clean environment is very soothing when life is chaotic. I also enjoy getting pampered when the budget allows: facials, hair appointments, manicures and pedicures are all pure bliss! Taking day trips to a local beach or winery is a quick fix that feels like travel without the hassle. There is also such a thing as retail therapy: enough said. The more ways you have to unwind and find joy, the better!
What are some ways you can unwind, find joy and peace in the midst of life’s ups and downs? And by the way, as I am writing this blog about joie de vivre, the roofers are making a huge racket overhead. Bang! Bang! Thump! Thump! My cats are hiding from the noise and I am thinking of baking homemade chocolate chip cookies to help me get through the upheaval. Yes, I am going to go to the market and get the ingredients, like, right now. So with that yin and yang going on at my home, I will bid you adieu, mon amis.
Cheryl Thatt-Burbank 