Greetings from dystopia
Will we be ok? The jury is still out. In the meantime, here are some tools and tips to help you feel a little better, plus resources for moving to France.
Hello friends! There are a lot of new subscribers here, thanks to the note I posted a few weeks ago, which seems to have touched a nerve:
I deleted my Twitter account a while back, but it took me longer to say goodbye to Facebook and Instagram. I had to do it finally as a small act of resistance and a little f-u to the tech broligarchs, for my mental health, and because social media is, in general, a massive waste of time. For those who have landed here from that note, welcome! I wanted to do a quick intro so you know what my little corner of Substack is all about. (For everyone else, skip down to more content below!)
I started A Good Vintage originally to chronicle our adventures in France and to document the journey of turning a long-held dream into reality. But now—with the demise of Democracy and basic human decency and all that—I’ve decided to expand into writing about being a GenXer in mid-life and how to navigate a time that feels like a cross between The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984.
Don’t worry—there will still be plenty of French-related content, including destination dispatches, stranger in a strange land experiences, and interviews with wise expat women. We’re heading back to France this summer to take French immersion language classes in Dijon, which will be quite a challenge for me since I suck at languages. However, learning French is a non-negotiable if we are going to live in France longer term (at some point), so I will sourire and bear it.
Anyway, I’m glad you’re here. Please feel free to DM me or drop a comment below and let me know what brought you here and what you’d like to read about in future posts.
A bientôt,
Sacha
P.S. Clicking on the little heart at the top or bottom of each post helps people find this substack. Merci! 💖
P.P.S. There’s loads more to read in the Good Vintage archive. Have a peek here.
Steal my sanity-saving tools and practices
We all could use as much help as possible these days. Here’s what I do to keep from falling into the abyss.
Stop binging the news. I had to delete the New York Times and Washington Post apps from my phone because the siren’s call of hideous, can’t-look-away news was just too great. I’m not suggesting you stick your head in the sand, but doom-scrolling won’t help you or anyone else. Instead, sign up for a daily compilation of must-read news or get intelligent insights and thoughtful analysis from Heather Cox Richardson and Robert Reich.
Phone a friend. Nothing lifts my spirits like talking to a good friend. Even if you’re not up for an IRL get-together or even a phone call, a quick text to let someone know you are thinking of them goes a long way.
Embrace art de vivre. The French “art de vivre” (art of living) means enjoying simple pleasures, slowing down, and finding joy and happiness in everyday things. That could mean buying yourself some flowers, playing with your pup, savoring a bite of your favorite chocolate, or sitting quietly in a park and soaking in nature. Last spring, we spent six weeks in Paris, and I collected some of my favorite art de vivre moments in this post. I also wrote this article for AARP about how to incorporate art de vivre into your life. For even more guidance, my friend Kimberly Wilson offers a digital course about embracing small pleasures and living La Vie Parisian.
Take a walk. You’ve heard this a thousand times, and there’s a good reason. Walking calms the nerves, boosts serotonin, helps digestion, and much more. I probably walk 15-20 miles weekly and more like 25-30 miles every week when we are in France. I schedule walks throughout the day whenever possible, such as after lunch or in the late afternoon after a day of writing.
Bake something. As some of you know, I’m really into baking bundt cakes and chocolate chip cookies. Your baking kink could be could be sourdough bread or cherry pie. Whatever glorious, sweet, satisfying goodie strikes your fancy, baking is good for the soul (although not for the waistline).
Meditate. I know what you’re thinking, “I’m bad at meditating.” Let me let you in on a little secret: Everyone thinks this. Our minds jump all over the place, whether we’re meditating or not. It’s called Monkey Mind, and mine is filled with amped-up chimpanzees, a couple of clever Capuchin monkeys, and some manic macaques. Right now, I’m enjoying the Calm app, and specifically meditations led by Jeff Warren, the author of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, which I also highly recommend. I also enjoy Dan Harris and the other meditation “maestros” on the 10% Happier podcast.
Take a break from social media. As I mentioned, I logged off Facebook and Instagram a few weeks ago and don’t miss them at all. I can’t imagine how many hours I’ve wasted mindlessly scrolling or feeling like crap when I see something awful in my feed. Do yourself a favor, consider taking a social media break, and pay attention to how your mood improves. I’m going to bet you feel much calmer after a few days. Your sleep will probably improve as well. I know mine did.
Do something nice for someone else. Small acts of kindness, helping others, and giving back can make us feel better. The physical and mental health benefits of doing something for someone else may include a reduction in blood pressure, a decrease in cortisol (the hormone that causes stress and anxiety), an increase in serotonin (the feel-good hormone), and less depression. Some ideas to get started: Walk a neighbor’s dog, give your favorite barista a big smile and a nice tip, donate books to your local library, volunteer, check in on a friend, donate to your favorite charity, write a thank you note, or make someone’s day by telling them what a great job they did.
Bookmark these resources
Are you interested in living part-time or full-time in France? Bravo! I’ve spent countless hours researching expat resources, French real estate (renting and buying), and visas, so you don’t have to. Here’s a section of French Faves (normally for paid subscribers only) so you have a solid place to start:
VISA Application Guidelines: Learn what you need to apply for different types of Visas. Frankly, I’m still confused and trying to figure it all out.
Adrian Leeds Group. A real estate firm dedicated to Anglophones and non-residents who want to live and/or invest in France. They have expertise primarily in properties in France and Nice. You can also watch Adrian work her magic on House Hunters International.
Clever Expat. This company “helps expats and future expats thrive in their new destinations.” Through curated content, information resources, and informative courses, Clever Expat equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of living outside your home country.
Preply. An online language learning platform that connects you directly with language tutors.
French Language Schools in France (from Transitions Abroad).
Green Acres. Search for properties for sale throughout France.
Paris Perfect: A leading high-end apartment rental agency.
Gites de France: Holiday rentals and B&Bs throughout France.
Fab Insurace. A French insurance broker for expats. They offer a variety of services for people moving to France.
Daniel Tostado. Daniel, an American-born French immigration lawyer, and his team are highly regarded for their in-depth knowledge of the French visa process.
Tomette Paris. Christine Bacoup-Tidas, J.D. is a French-American buyer’s agent born and raised in Paris who spent 16 years in NYC. She specializes in helping expats find properties in Paris.
The European Concierge. Do you need help navigating the visa process, French citizenship, or a French driver’s license? This company can help.
Alliance Française in the U.S. There are 100+ chapters in the United States where you can take French classes and attend cultural events. Based on experience, the French classes are very traditional (a lot of grammar!), so it may not be ideal for learning to speak “travel French.”
Centre International d’Antibes. Since 1985, the Centre International d’Antibes has been offering French courses in France based on active teaching methods, lessons in small groups, and a relaxed teaching style. They also offer a program for adults 50+ that includes French lessons, activities, and housing.
Join Us in France Podcast & Website. This long-running podcast includes everything from French history and culture to detailed trip reports from podcast guests to tips from tour guides and locals. It’s an absolute must for visitors and Francophiles.
Writing is my passion and livelihood. If you enjoyed this post and want to support me, you can become a paying subscriber or buy me a coffee or glass of wine. Merci!
First))) Greetings from Belarus!
Great post Sasha! I love that you give well researched resources to help people make the move and settle in in France. So helpful!