Dimmed spirit recharge

Favorite places to find inspiration and feel alive again in Paris

What could more French than popping magnesium and barely getting through the gray winter months? Complaining about it?

My life goes from a straight line from my home to my studio space, with a small detour off the path to either drop off or pick up my son. If my spirit has dimmed or I’m feeling the seasonal droop of gray Parisian winters, I have a few places I go to get myself back on my feet. 

Bois de Vincennes, my literal backyard, my green reset button. One of two of Paris’ green lungs. Paris is dense! I can’t wait in line at the supermarkets without body bumping into several people. I take my son to the Bois almost everyday to fill my lungs with clean air and collect fallen chestnuts.

Market. I’ve lived in the same neighborhood for over a decade and one of the greatest takeaways is the relationships I’ve developed with my vendor friends at the market. Superficial perhaps, but friends come and go in an international capital like Paris, but I also know I have Coco for eggs and Amaury to catch up on local gossip. These relationships take time and dedication like most French friendships, but they are a long-term investment if you live in France “indefinitely”.

Hammam. This is something I started doing during the sleepless early years of motherhood. When sleep isn’t a reliable option, you’ve got to find other ways to energize yourself and body. Sweat it out! A friend of mine introduced me to hammam culture way back in the day and we treat each other to hammam days when we are celebrating life milestones. I’ve been going to this one for ages and also love the Grand Mosqué. Always check to see if you are going to a gender-specfic time at the hammam and always bring a bathing suit. Don’t forget to treat yourself to mint tea and a pastry under the fig tree in the mosaic garden if you’re visiting the Grand Mosqué.

Blast off comedy. I promise I’ll share more about how I started stand up soon and the mid-life crisis that ensued, but I started by signing up for an Open Mic with Blast Off. During times when humanity is in question, there’s nothing like witnessing the vulnerability of a person on a microphone.

Connecting with past selves. In one of my previous lives, I was a costume designer for stage and film. I still have a rabid love of vintage and costume history. The first museums I’ll go to are the Musee des Arts Decoratifs and Palais Galliera, which has a breathtaking exposition of Azzedine Alaia’s private collection, including a handful of Adrian dresses AKA the costume designer of The Wizard of Oz (eeeeeeeeeeeek!). 

Vides Greniers I’ve put my hunt on hold while the bedbugs die out, but the most eco friendly and inexpensive method of acquiring beautiful things is at vides greniers or the equivalent of French garage sales. People just want to get rid of their stuff and aren’t out to price-gouge you. Don’t wanna brag but I found a 12 euro Vivienne Westwood jacket a few weeks ago. 

Abricot, American kindness and strong drinks. 

Take good care of yourselves out there. Stay inspired and don’t drink the watercolor water. -jkw