Tuesday, September 16, 2025

I am a bit enamored with the European lifestyle. I already knew this but I got giddy and embraced Fiona Ferris’ book. I love her books – they are just tiny little things – we aren’t talking War and Peace. But, I do find them inspirational and fun.

I think I could live in Europe but then I remember I love my car and my washer and dryer. Lol.

No, but really we do tend to romanticize life in Europe and I am a realist and know the grass is not greener. I do, however, think we can learn from some of their ways of life. I am also generalizing the term “European” and just thinking about life in the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, and the other countries I have visited.

-Bundle my errands and park once in a neighborhood/shopping center and walk when I can

-Buy less food in bulk and buy less at a time – feel like this helps reduce food waste which is a goal of mine

-Buy more real food and less processed food – I really like buying food that I have to chop and I have the time to chop

-Tie a scarf on my bag – ooo la la! Try to incorporate scarves into my outfits without looking like a flight attendant

-Use real cups, plates, silverware and cloth napkins

-Buy less drive thru food; I rarely use a drive thru

-Buy less fast fashion and think more quality over quantity in my closet

-Drink more tea – have a tea or coffee in the afternoon

-Wear more stripes!

-Actually get dressed when I leave the house to do errands – no athletic or lounge clothing

-Wear pants instead of shorts

-Take a cloth tote bag with me on errands and use my new re-usable produce bag

-Don’t take phone calls in public or be on my phone in public – chat with people that I see and be present

-Use British style cork backed placemats on my tables. I gave these to my mom and she loved them and now I have a daily reminder since they are mine now. I like practical sentimental things I think.

-Drink from a wine glass or a pretty glass even if it’s only water or electrolytes

-Walk outside and walk my dog – I love having him off leash especially and he loves it, too

-Go to coffee shops and not drive thru coffee joints

-Slow down – Try to keep the busy “American” lifestyle at bay

I like to follow IG accounts of people who live in Europe. I just saw that a tradition in Spain when it is your birthday is for you to cook for your friends and treat them to a meal at your house. I like that!

I also embraced a simpler Christmas last year and one that I considered to be more European in style, even if it wasn’t exactly that.

I really hate the consumerism culture we live in and I don’t want people to keep telling me to buy more off of Amazon. I respect fixing things and using what you have. I want to get better at that.

I re-read my little collection of Fiona books when I need to stop and appreciate my simple little life and when I need to feel inspiration and gratitude.

Obviously I am not saying Fiona is a substitute for the Bible and its teachings, but her little books have helped me!

Do you have any ways of life that you consider to be European in nature? Is there a practice that has made you live life fuller?

What can you do today to add a little European flair?

Amy

21 thoughts on “Adding a little European…”

  1. I perceive that the diet of the average American is worse than that of the average European and to me, that is a change that I’d like to incorporate in my life. We have the larger refrigerators, extra refrigerates and freezers- the better to hold ALL THE THINGS! We have, like you said drive thrus and extreme ease of fast food and processed foods.

    The geographic differences of small countries versus a large country like ours means there will always be differences in the cultures. That isn’t a bad thing, it’s just a thing. I like Europe and think there is some mystique to it- maybe it’s the vast Western history of it. I don’t know. I love our country so much though. I think we do a lot of things better here. This isn’t the time or place for my thoughts on that! I’ll leave it at that. Europe has many great things about her as do we!

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  2. I think I do quite a few of these; though I do not buy less at a time when it comes to groceries. I don’t mind though as we tend to have very little food waste most weeks. Though I don’t drink tea and really only drink water out of my Yeti so no fancy glasses either. I like my iced water very, very cold and the longer the ice can last the better.

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    1. That isn’t practical for your situation I’m sure. I started drinking room temp water years ago and find it goes down easier and I can drink more. But, if it’s really hot out I love the ice.

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  3. This is such a fun post and list of European ways. As I was reading the list, it actually reminded me of the latino, or certainly the Colombian culture, with the exception of maybe a scarf on a bag and drinking a lot of tea. Colombia leans towards more coffee of course! It is a fashionable coffee and the only time people wear gym clothes out and about is if they are actually going to or from the gym! My European act of today is to be present with family because my brother and sister in law arrive in town today. Have a good one!

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  5. I have and like this book too! Shay blogged about one of her books today too 🙂

    I agree with so much of what you say! It seems like you try to do a lot of this stuff in your city. I didn’t know about that tradition for your birthday in Spain – I really like it! I once saw something that is so true and I’ve since pointed it out many times – in Europe (or at least the cities we’ve visited) there is a “third place”. Your home, your work, and a “third place” – someplace to gather. Not necessarily a place to walk, eat, drink, DO something – just a place to gather. . .sit and visit, meet a crowd, whatever. A park, cafe (you will NEVER get kicked out!) where, as people join you, you can expand your space. There are just so many times it would be great to sit, enjoy people watching, listen to street music. . .but it’s not necessarily “crowded”, it’s normal – not a festival or anything.

    Anyway, yes, our American luxuries are great but the European lifestyle DOES seem to be different and, in many ways, more appealing. No one is ever on their phones while walking the streets or shopping – usually only on public transit (or waiting for a bus) do I see that in a native.

    These are fun things to think about and try to intentionally incorporate into our lives, right?

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    1. I saw that! So funny that we both mentioned it today. Does that mean I’m a big blogger? Lol.
      I love that third place thing – I had forgotten about it.
      I do try but sometimes I do totally “American” things like everyone else! Lol!

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  6. I loved these! I don’t know that I’ve read this one and have it in my Amazon cart. I like the little things like tying a scarf to your bag, and going to coffee shops and not a drive through coffee place. I like your new produce bag! I keep bags like that in my car that I use when I shop. I love doing that! Happy Tuesday, friend!

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  7. You go, girl!

    I think there is merit to both, the European and American lifestyle. I’d say let’s pick the best out of both worlds. What I like about Europe is the fact that one can get around most places sans car. By walking or using public transport, I can interact with my environment a lot more as well as be spontaneous, such as having sit-down coffee, interacting with fellow humans, etc. It certainly feels less isolated and more genuine, especially in the countryside.

    The pros to an American lifestyle: Parking spaces that fit a big SUV (priorities, I know :), Starbucks on the go, interactions with friendly strangers that brighten one’s day.

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  8. This was so fun to read. Some things I took away from Italy that I would add to a list like this: eat slowly- enjoy the process and the whole experience- don’t rush- enjoy your time. Also, the portions are so much smaller and just perfect. Their ingredients are fresh and you do get full and enjoy all of the flavors. Walking- would definitely agree- loved walking so much- that is the way to truly appreciate a new area 🙂

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  9. I love this post! I am the biggest Anglophile ever after our time living there, but on the other hand, give me that American refrigerator and dryer! I did love it there, and feel that it changed many things about me. I think there was one drive-through about 30 minutes away from us – it is just not part of the culture there. I just went back and read a post from right after we moved there – https://www.theotherside-oftheroad.com/2011/08/what-im-loving.html I would love to go back sometime soon!

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  11. I love all of these! I have been adding some french ladies to follow on IG and I love it. I am trying to slow down and cook more fresh! I have been having more picnics (there is a place just 5 min from the house that I have been bringing my lunch too). I actually am working on wearing my scarves more this year (twice this week in the mornings then it’s still too hot), so this post really resonated with me today!

    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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  12. I’m European at heart and rebel against many of the same things. If we ever meet in person I’ll serve you tea in a real cup from a real pot : ) Not European but check out Isabelle Heikens on Insta. She hosts themed dinner parties and they are completely fab! A couple others I enjoy on Insta-Alice Naylor-Leyland(@mrsalice), Kate Goodwin (@kate_in_london), @hillhousevintage…I’ve got lots of UK follows, in general they’re soothing.

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