IN your SKIN
je suis bien dans ma peau
et surtout dans
ma tête
- i am good in my skin
and especially in
my head -
I'm always in awe of how French women know how to stay calm, classy and downright charming -- even in some of the most uncomfortable situations.
For instance, I admire how Marion Cotillard responded with such poise and dignity to the rumours that she might have had something to do with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's split.
In an elegant Instagram post she wrote:
"This is going to be my first and only reaction to the whirlwind news that broke 24 hours ago and that I was swept up into. I am not used to commenting on things like this nor taking them seriously but as this situation is spiraling and affecting people I love, I have to speak up."
So clean, firm & graceful.
Over the last ten years, I’ve had the chance to live and work in four different countries, always in very international environments. This has given me a fantastic opportunity to observe the cultural distinctions in women’s approach to work, life and love, which in turn influences how they are perceived.
French women seem to enjoy a global reputation of being stylish, gracious and seductive. And that is not unwarranted.
A few years ago, I met-up with a French friend of mine for tea in Kensington. A couple of gentlemen were sitting at the table next to ours and struck up a conversation. They heard us speak in French and were curious about where we were from and what we were doing in London.
I couldn’t help notice the calm confidence exuded by my friend. She answered their questions kindly while remaining elegantly reserved. Her manners were both charming and mysterious in a natural, unaffected way. Very feminine and refined!
So what is the secret of French women’s irresistible charm?
Having attended a French school since kindergarten and later lived in France, I became acquainted from a very early age with the concept of being bien dans sa peau. This literally means ‘feeling good in your own skin’.
I believe that this is the number one factor that makes French women so alluring. They feel comfortable in who they are and they fearlessly express their uniqueness through their opinions and personal style.
They own their personal brand. And this serves them well both in business and in life.
Now if you did not have a French upbringing, you can still cultivate this power of feeling bien dans sa peau. Here are three simple practices to get you started.
Express yourself
The first step is to understand who you really are.
What are your values, likes and dislikes? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What do you most desire to achieve in your relationships, life and career? Don’t be afraid to share these with others en passant.
Read extensively about different topics and form your own opinions. Then, practice expressing them in appropriate social settings. You’ll become a far more interesting woman. And don’t be surprised if people start calling you an expert conversationalist!
Cultivate your style
Whether you like it or not, first impressions count. The way we present ourselves makes a statement about who we are. And, as women, we tend to be judged even more than men based on our appearance. So it is worth curating how you show-up in the world.
Now that you are clear on who you are and what you stand for, think about the image that you want to convey and choose your look accordingly. Is classic Chanel your vibe or do you prefer a more playful & practical DVF style? Be consistent. Most importantly, be the true AUTHENTIC you. Your style. You.
Exercise gently
Draping yourself with beautiful clothes that express your personality is all fine. But what is even more important is to take care of what’s underneath, a.k.a. your body & mind.
Exercise is a fabulous way to boost your mood and self-esteem while giving you a nice booty. Not only will you get a great body that will help you feel good in your own skin, you will also produce uplifting hormones called ‘endorphins’ at the same time.
In general, French women don’t care too much about spending hours in a gym. They prefer to walk everywhere and that helps them keep fit. Follow their example and include a gentle form of exercise in your everyday life. I’d suggest adding yoga and Pilates to your repertoire if you would like to tone-up.
je suis bien dans ma peau
car elle est juste à ma taille
- i am good in my skin
since she is just my size -
Elsa Razborsek is a Love & Relationship Coach for women. Her philosophy is that by owning your femininity and becoming the best version of yourself, you can easily attract your most ideal partner and create an extraordinary love relationship.
She helps smart, independent women find the lasting love they desire through style, sex and self-empowerment principles. Elsa is based in the Netherlands, yet she works with women Globally. You can connect with Elsa at www.charmcoaching.com
