On role models & why not being able to choose what you like is a good thing

Good afternoon fellow readers !

The other day I stumbled upon a quote by Aristotle saying “knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”  This really struck a chord because I believe that too few people actually know themselves. Sure, you might be able to identify your favorite meal, color or season, but here I’m talking about what really constitutes you as a person at a much deeper level.

If we think about it, from the age of 3 or so, we’re in school, and most of our time is spent there. Sure, we have our weekends and holidays free until we start getting homework to do, so we are in a sense free to play what we want. During those time, we can let our nature express itself.

However, too quickly, responsibilities and daily worries arise and constrain our true self. We try to build our identities around role models – whether they are at school, work or celebrities – and act in a way that would make us closer to them.

Do you have an afternoon routine ?

Happy Sunday everyone ! ☕️

In order to begin next week on the right foot, today’s blog post is a productivity talk where I share some life hacks with you.

Deciding that you are going to be more productive and efficient usually leads you – if you’re like me – to google every topic possible related to productivity. When I started to research this topic, the first articles I stumbled upon were probably about mornings : how it is important to get up early, and the necessity of being organized and having a routine to start your day right.

Similarly, a lot of people praise the importance of night routines, especially people who want to get to bed earlier or who want to lay out every thing they will need for the next day to avoid to dreadful morning rush. But what about being prepared for your afternoon ?

Don’t play the tourist ! How to embrace local cultures when traveling

Hi everyone !

Today is an exciting post as I announced on my Facebook page. I’m publishing my first collaboration on a joint article, how exciting ! Being both fond of travels, Lisa and I have decided to write for you guys an article giving you tips to better enjoy your holidays abroad and embrace the local culture and diversity once you’re there. I strongly suggest that you check out her blog From Dream to Plan here – I feel like you’ll definitely recognize that we share the same vibe and interests.

The magic of a travel is built through your choices, your activities, but also your behavior. Be nice and respectful of where you go ; be curious and engage with as many things and people as you can. Traveling can be such a rich experience, so be sure to enjoy it to the fullest. Here are our tips. Please, do share yours in the comments !

BOOK REVIEW #9: The Alchemist by Paul Coelho (1988)

The Alchemist. Everyone has heard at least one about this book in his life. I was part of those people who knew the title, but I haven’t read it until I found it by chance in the pile of books the guy living in my room before me left me. So famous, very short (compared to what I usually read) and with a lot of time on my hands, the moment was perfect to start reading it.

Even though I knew the title, I have to confess that I did not know anything about the story. I kind of jumped into it without any preparation. I was surprised at first : simple sentences, story-telling and structure ; a very naive and simple protagonist, Santiago ; a weird  eerie atmosphere. I had the impression to be in a cotton bubble, in a dream while reading the Alchemist. This is probably part of its magic.

“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”

BOOK REVIEW #8: The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen (2007)

The Keeper of Lost Causes (US) or Mercy (UK) is a book written by the Danish writer of crime fiction, as well as a publisher, editor and entrepreneur Jussi Adler-Olsen in 2007. Its original title is Kvinden i buret.

Being a fan of Scandinavian authors and thrillers, when my boyfriend gave me this book, I started reading it at once. And I loved it. Indeed, The Keeper of Lost Causes is the first book of a whole series and its author won a great number of literary prizes for it : the Sealed Room Award (Japan 2012), the Livre Robinsonnais prize (France 2012), the Grand prix des lectrices de Elle (France 2012), the Barry Award Best Novel (US 2012), the Danskerees Yndlingsforfatter (Denmark 2013), the Prix Plume d’or (France, 2013) and many more..

That should be enough to convince you to try it ! Personally, I’m already reading the sequel  The Absent One (US) or Disgrace (UK) (Fasandræberne in Danish).