Photo of the Week – Paris View

Goals For The Week

1. Try something new.

I tried a new look on my Instagram feed.  Personally, I loved it because I was able to play around in a creative way with planning a set style and feel for the week’s posts. If you haven’t tried a puzzle feed, it’s pretty simple.  You can design one on Canva or whatever you use for your creative design.  If you want a 12-box grid (3×4), your canvas should be 3240 x 4320 pixels. Add photos, elements, backgrounds, frames, and quotes.  Once you’re finished designing, you can use an app like “instagrid” or “griddy” to cut your boxes ( there are more options than 3×4).  For a more detailed tutorial, I recommend this one at prettywebz.com .

I tried a new look on my Instagram feed.  Personally, I loved it because I was able to play around in a creative way with planning a set style and feel for the week’s posts. If you haven’t tried a puzzle feed, it’s pretty simple.  You can design one on Canva or whatever you use for your creative design.  If you want a 12-box grid (3×4), your canvas should be 3240 x 4320 pixels. Add photos, elements, backgrounds, frames, and quotes.  Once you’re finished designing, you can use an app like “instagrid” or “griddy” to cut your boxes ( there are more options than 3×4).  For a more detailed tutorial, I recommend this one at prettywebz.com .

2. Stop making things harder than they have to be.

I do this a lot and by the time that I realize that there was an easier way to do it, I’ve wasted too much time doing it the hard way.  That’s why I’m always on the lookout for tools and resources that make life easier so you can get the job done faster, more efficiently and move on to the next thing that requires your attention.

This photo reminds me of my desire to continually work on those 2 goals.  Going to Paris for the first time is one of the hardest new things you can try as an American.  When I went, I definitely wanted to keep things easy and simple.  I read blogs and books on how to get around and interact with French people, what’s customary in their culture and what’s considered rude. 

For instance, don’t touch everything in French stores/market – I never realized how hard it was to keep my hands to myself.  We automatically go to pick things up to inspect them closely with our hands instead of using our eyes, that’s a no-no. Knowing that shopkeepers expect to be greeted when you enter instead of expecting them to greet you will take you a long way also.  These 2 phrases every time you open your mouth in France will make all the difference – ‘bonjour’ (‘hello’) and ‘parlez-vous Anglais’ (‘do you speak English?’).

It will also make you reflect on how things work at home, I used to get highly offended when I entered a store if no one greeted me especially if I heard them greet someone else.  It no longer bothers me; I now notice that people rarely even greet them back.  Greetings are just nice, it’s a way of saying “I see you”.  I’m more likely to say hello first as I enter a store now and to not take offense if I don’t get greeted first.  It’s nice but not a big deal.

I practiced my French daily and then still froze when it was time to say something.  Everyone I met was great, some even convinced me that my French was good enough to fool them for a second or two until they lost me quickly and could tell by the confused looks (My face does not tell lies.).  Including the woman, I talked with on the train, she was very helpful and interesting, but I could also tell that she disapproved when I said I homeschooled. (I probably committed a “faux pas” during this conversation but my life feels enriched just by being a part of it.)

Go ahead and read the disapproval in other people without getting offended because I’m sure they have their reasons, but the body just doesn’t tell untruths as well as the mouth does.  Honest people are the worst at hiding it.  I appreciate body language immensely because it tells you so much more about people and can help you navigate all kinds of situations even without speech.  Listen to what they say but really watch what they do – best advice ever.

Headed to France? check out more cultural tips.

Happy Wandering! (safely)

Bring home some of my favorite photos from wandering from Fine Art America.