What if i move to paris ?

Sunny afternoons in Jardin des Tuileries, Fancy cafés, must-visit spots, dreaming of Pierre Hermé macarons , french girl style and Envisioning my future in Paris .

I’ve always had a special place in my heart for France particularly Paris.It has always felt like the ultimate destination. It’s been a dream of mine, I’ve spent countless hours pinning places to go, bakeries to discover, and things to buy on my Parisian wishlist. Last year, I thought I’d be in the South of France for my Master’s, with Paris as a quick visit. But as life often does, plans changed. My international Master’s contract ended, and I was left with bittersweet memories of a dream not realized. Yet, Paris still calls to me. Why Paris? Maybe it’s the French films I’ve watched, or the stories my grandmother shared.I’ve never been there, but my grandma went a lot when she was young, and when she shows me her old pictures, I can’t help but think she looked like a Parisian from the 70s.

She was in her 30s here

I hesitated to share my grandma’s picture because I wasn’t sure who might be following here, but I finally decided to post this one. She gave me so many photos to choose from, but I picked this black-and-white one it’s absolutely stunning. Her style was so elegant and chic, and honestly, I’d call her the it girl of her time. I wish I could have experienced the era she described,it all sounds so dreamy, especially when I look at her photos and hear about the memories she made. She had every Chanel perfume in her collection, but her favorite was always the timeless Chanel N°5—a scent that perfectly mirrored her elegance and grace. I still remember how much she adored it. The first time I tried a Lancôme perfume, it was from her collection. I was in middle school and experimenting for fun, curious about the world of fragrances. The scent was divine .Ten years later, that same perfume remains my signature fragrance. Isn’t it crazy how a scent can become such a core part of who you are? Maybe it’s because it was the perfume of my teenage years, or maybe it’s just that perfect. Either way, I can’t imagine my life without it. She used to dress like the girls in the French movies! There’s one picture of her I thought was from a movie, and another one where she was at a wedding with a gorgeous dress , French twist (which, honestly, I could never do on my own). She always tells me Paris is amazing, but maybe she was talking about the Paris of the 70s , 80 s , not the current one .

I remember reading an article on Substack once, where the author shared her expectations of Paris, only to find the reality wasn’t what she thought. But, you know what? I don’t care. I’m still dreaming. Paris may not be as perfect as I’ve imagined, but it’s still a place that fuels my imagination, where I can see myself walking down the charming streets embracing everything that makes it feel like a dream. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll make it there for real. I absolutely love reading The Paris Review articles they’re my absolute favorites, especially the poetry. I read so much, and there's something about the way they capture emotions and stories that resonates with me deeply.

My messy paris recs list i saved : food , places to visit , Other people’s recs on socials , from reviews , from French influencers I love and more ( made this list last year)

My recs

Saved this vogue article

I have an endless list of places I want to visit—each one calling me with the promise of flaky croissants, delightful cafés, and the yummiest gelato. Growing up, I was surrounded by the French language. In my family, it was as natural as breathing. Thanks to that, I never struggled with speaking French—it’s been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Even at university, when I present in French, I sound like a French girl speaking . In my country, Arabic is the dominant language, and while French is widely understood, not everyone speaks it fluently. And maybe that’s why I dream of Paris so often—of sipping coffee at a corner café, indulging in warm croissants, and speaking a language that feels like home with strangers aghhh need this .

Anna karina - the french it girl

I grew up reading books in French, which was such a cool experience. I was actually the top student in my French class! One of the most memorable moments was meeting my old French teacher from middle school last year when I was doing my master’s. He recognized me right away and was so happy to see me. I told him I was in a master’s program, and he was genuinely surprised and grateful for everything he taught us back in 2010. My mom also taught me French since I was a little girl. I even remember singing Ne pleure pas Janette (for some reason, it always made me cry), and those memories make me feel so happy when I think back on them.

Every time I watch Moya Mawhinney the lifestyle she has in Paris, I can't help but crave everything about it. I’ve saved tons of videos from Paris diaries, and each time I watch them, it’s like a calming escape. Moya especially gives me this strong urge to visit the city—her routines, like picking up fresh bread from the bakery in the morning, going to Pilates, trying flavored mochi , coffee dates, and hanging out with friends—it's all so dreamy. I need it all! When she walks through the streets of Paris, I feel like I’m right there with her. The city seems so magical. This afternoon, after my self-care routine, I watched a YouTuber who was in Paris she perfectly captured what I dream of. She was at a hotel, wearing a cozy pjs, showing off macarons from Pierre Hermé Paris that looked so delicious. She gave us a tour of the hotel, including the luxurious bathroom, and even shared a gift bag with a beautiful perfume inside. It was so comforting to watch, and her life in Paris felt exactly how I've imagined—dining out with friends for lunch and dinner. It was so fun to watch, and she even said she was living the "Emily in Paris" life. I felt like I was right there with her.

Picture yourself standing on the balcony, gazing out at a view so mesmerizing it feels like a dream. I could stay there for hours, completely lost in the moment, and never grow tired of it.

I also follow a gorgeous woman on YouTube named Karen, and I love how she shares her life in Paris too. Every detail she shows just makes me want to experience it all. I can't wait to go to Paris and do my own French pharmacy haul, getting all the essentials from Nuxe, Avène, Caudalie you name it. Watching French pharmacy hauls is oddly inspiring and entertaining, and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. The idea of trying all the ice cream places, especially pistachio gelato, and spending hours in Jardin des Tuileries with my book under the sun oh, it sounds perfect. It’s like the park in my city, but with that Parisian magic. People there, the French conversations flowing, exchanging ideas—it all feels like such a dream come true.

Jardin des tuileries

If I ever decide to move to Paris, I envision myself as a successful and passionate scientific researcher, driven by ambition and deeply inspired by the city that fuels my aspirations. I imagine a life of effortless elegance—perfectly styled hair, minimal yet chic makeup. Pilates three times a week would become my ritual.It’s so intriguing to think how a city can change a person—why is it that when we dream of a place, we sometimes envision becoming a different version of ourselves? Maybe it's because we want to align with the city's vibe and the energy it offers. But then again, I realize that not all Parisians fit into that "French girl" stereotype. I see so many different styles on my TikTok feed, and each person brings their unique spin to Parisian fashion. I guess I could be holding onto a vision of Paris that might not even exist in the way I think, but it’s fun to imagine. There’s so much I want to try once I’m there like La Durée macarons, almond croissants, and coffee from Café Kitsuné. The list is endless

Oh my god, I can’t believe I almost forgot about the flea markets in Paris! I’ve been dreaming of going there for ages. The idea of thrifting in Paris just seems so magical. I know the thrift stores and flea markets there are on another level. Just imagining myself stumbling upon a gorgeous vintage camera, or the perfect cool bag I’ve been pinning on my Pinterest board, or even a classic trench coat—honestly, it feels like a dream come true. And can you imagine going to Paris with the love of your life? That sounds like something out of a movie. Discovering the city together, every single day feels like an adventure. You find new spots to enjoy, take cute photos together at those iconic Parisian spots, and create memories in the process. Coffee dates, dinners , just exploring and soaking in the energy of the city. It’s one of those dreamy ideas that makes you smile just thinking about it, right?

I watched Emily in Paris in 2020, right when it was released, and I was hooked from the start. I remember that scene in the first few episodes when Emily tries the pain au chocolat for the first time—her face said it all! It looked so good, and I couldn’t help but feel that urge to try one myself. You know me, I'm obsessed with sweet treats, so this scene really got me! And when Emily met Gabriel? That was such a feel-good moment. I loved the chemistry between them! Honestly, I was so invested in their story. The way Gabriel speaks French, the Parisian charm, the whole vibe—it felt like a dream. The show was such a fun ride, and every time I watched it, I just felt so happy. I could literally imagine myself in those exact moments, strolling through Paris, tasting delicious pastries, and soaking in the Parisian lifestyle. It was like a perfect escape into a dreamy world!

French girl style :

I imagine her with a timeless, effortlessly chic vibe. She always seems to have red lipstick on, paired with minimal makeup that enhances her natural beauty. Her bangs frame her face perfectly, and her slightly messy hair somehow looks wonderfully intentional, as if inspired by icons like Anna Karina, Jeanne Damas, or Jane Birkin. She’s fit and carries herself with a graceful ease, “less is more” not only in her beauty routine but also in her wardrobe. Everything she wears feels thoughtfully curated—a capsule wardrobe full of classic pieces that stand the test of time.

A Day in My Life in Paris: Because Why Not, Being Delusional is Everything

It’s a rainy fall morning in Paris. I wake up at 9 AM, feeling cozy under the blanket. First thing’s first I pray, take a moment for myself, and then take my supplements to start the day off right.Listening to Berlioz as I prepare my breakfast; it’s like the perfect soundtrack to the quiet morning. I move on to getting ready for Pilates.I slip into my workout clothes . Pilates always leaves me feeling refreshed, and today is no exception. Once I’m finished with my class, I head straight to Wild & The Moon to grab my juice. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up packed with energy-boosting vitamins. I order a freshly made juice and got a a warm croissant from the bakery . I savor the croissant as I walk home.

It’s 11 AM by the time I’m back home, and I’m ready to get dressed for lunch with friends. I opt for a simple yet elegant outfit: a black turtleneck paired with a beige trench coat, denim flare jeans, and my kitten heels, perfect blowout. For perfume, I wear Victor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb. It’s the kind of fragrance that feels like a warm hug on a rainy day. I keep my makeup minimal, just a bit of red lipstick to add that perfect pop of color, and mascara on the ends of my lashes . Feeling chic and effortlessly put together, I head out to meet my friends for lunch. We chat, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company while indulging in delicious food.

Sometimes, when I dream of a different version of myself in another city, I catch myself thinking, "Why can't I be her right now?" Why can't I live that life, walk in those streets, embrace that new chapter? It's a feeling that's hard to ignore—the image of a version of myself that's confident, stylish, and somehow more aligned with the dreams I’ve always had. But reflecting on all of this has made me realize something important: I can be her, right here, right now. The version of me I imagine doesn’t need to be far away in another city, or waiting for the perfect moment to happen. The truth is, I can start that transformation gradually, step by step, just like I’ve achieved other dreams before. It’s all about shifting my mindset and understanding that my current city can be the place where this version of myself comes to life. It’s possible. And it starts with believing that I can embody that dream girl here, in the life I have now. It’s not about waiting for the "perfect" place or the "perfect" time. It’s about embracing where I am, while also envisioning and moving towards who I want to become. It’s all about mindset. That’s the key. I love that every time I write long posts, it helps me reflect on what I need to change in my life to become my dream self. This newsletter has become such a meaningful way for me to connect with the wonderful 1K people here, and I’m so grateful to have you all. Truly, thank you for being part of this journey!

I completely resonate with Joan Didion's words: "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear." Every time I write, it’s like I’m unraveling my own thoughts, discovering pieces of myself that I didn’t even know were there. The more I reflect, the more I realize I need to understand about myself—what’s on my mind, the ideas that are stuck, and all the things that I haven’t yet figured out. Writing becomes a way for me to find clarity and uncover hidden truths about who I am.

Playlists I love ❣️

I hope you enjoyed this long post! I know many girls will relate to this because we all have that dream of going to Paris at least once in our lives. So, for those of you who've actually been to Paris, how was it? Was it everything like I imagined, or was it better or worse than what I described? I'd love to hear your experiences! ✨

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