Does Your City Move You? (+ Podcast and Workshop Announcement!)
In the words of Leonard Cohen, "there's a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."
And so, I moved to Paris and tried to build a home
A place to belong, something I’ve never known
I danced barefoot on roofs and feasted off the art
To fuel the flame that still burns in my heart
— Last Stanza of City of Lights by Jenny Tâm Thai, 2024
Happy last Friday of 2024, my creative friends! How did this Holiday Season go for you? For anyone who’s been celebrating, I hope you got to spend a lovely time with your loved ones. I can never decide if December is a month that is slowing down (because it’s part of the naturally slower and heavier winter season) or speeding up (because everyone is frantically trying to finish things off before the calendar year ends). Can you believe that 2024 is coming to an end so soon?
To be honest with you, I had this post sitting in my drafts for a few weeks and was possibly even going to just skip out on the November recap. Time just got away from me but I’ve also been working on a number of projects that I’m excited to share with you soon. But when I spoke to one of my dear friends the other day (love you, Bengi!), she told me how much she had been enjoying my Substack posts and so, I thought I’d get this one out to you nonetheless.
So let’s start with a little November recap, shall we?
November Recap
Interestingly, the theme of November, for me, was Paris.
Maybe it’s because I spent the much of my time preparing for my DALF C1 exam (How did it go? It could’ve gone better but it could’ve gone much worse. Will it be good enough to pass? We shall find out..) and have been speaking a lot more French than usual (and stopped using it with anyone immediately after..).
Maybe it’s because I was reading Lindsey Tramuta’s La Nouvelle Parisienne, a book featuring the stories of 40 women who call Paris their home, and explores topics dear to my heart, such as identity, image and feminism. This book achieved something that not many things do - I felt seen and understood. I highly recommend. The original is written in English, by the way!
Maybe it’s because I’ve discovered and re-discovered a whole list of local businesses here in Paris, including Rasa for some yoga, Chiche for some delicious hummus, Bar à Bulles for some bubbles, Smith & Sons for some good reads, and so many more places!
But most certainly, it is linked to the publication of City of Lights, a poetry video that I’ve been working on with my dear friend and incredibly talented filmmaker, Marley. This project features a poem that I wrote about moving to Paris and a number of locations that are very dear to me. We put a lot of heart and soul into this project, and I hope you can feel that!
If you’re interested to hear more about the process behind making this piece of art and stay tuned! You’ll receive the first episode of The Creativity Flow Podcast straight into your mailbox on Monday. For a little sneak peek, I invite you to have a look at my Instagram Post:
I find that often, we get so caught up in life that we sometimes forget how big of an influence our surroundings have on us, especially as creatives. Not just the people that surround us but the city we find ourselves in. Just like a meeting a person or living through an experience, each place we find ourselves in will come with its very own mix of beauty and challenge. Something to inspire you, and something to help you grow. Which of the two you choose to focus on, that is up to you.
In this spirit, here are some journaling prompts for you to reflect on.
Journaling Prompts
What is your favourite place in this world and why?
Write a love letter to the city you live in. What connects you to this city? What are you grateful for about living where you do?
How have you, and how has the city you are in changed compared to one, two, three years (months) ago?
Creative Intentions Workshop
I don’t know about you, but setting New Year’s Resolutions have never worked well for me. No matter how much good will and motivation there is, the way most people (including my former self!) approach setting those New Year’s Resolutions tends to set them up for failure. Why? Because most often, those resolutions only consist of vague statements (Exercise more! Drink more water! Lose weight! Reduce stress!)
While my Re:Start Workshop back in September was all about creative goal-setting, my upcoming Creative Intentions Workshop is all about understanding and connecting to the bigger picture. Set yourself up for success by laying the right groundwork and build from the bottom up.
During this 2.5 hour workshop, you can expect:
Mindful movement to release tension and reconnect to your body
A gentle yin yoga class, to create space and go within
Pranayama (breathing exercises)
A guided meditation
Chanting
Learning the difference between a Sankalpa, Intention and Goal, in which way they relate, and how you can set your own
A guide on affirmations and manifestations
Reflections of 2024 and how to use them to guide your 2025
Journaling prompts
A handbook that you can use for future reference and guidance
Some heart-warming tea
A safe, cosy, and inclusive environment
All the Info at one glance
When? Sunday, 19th of January 2025, 16h-18h30
Where? The Space, Nation, Paris 12e
How much? Early Bird (sign up before the 10th of January): 40€; Regular price: 45€; Book two spots for you and a friend: 80€
For whom is this workshop? For total beginners and experienced yogis alike who want to gift themselves a moment of self-care and introspection. You do not need to have creative ambitions or consider yourself a creative to join and benefit from this workshop!
How can you sign up? Follow this link to sign up. You will receive an email with payment information.
How many spots are available? To keep this intimate and cosy, spots will be limited to 6!
In Germany, we always like to wish everyone a Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr which translates into a good slide into the new year - a good transition and a good start! So have a good slide!
Stay cosy and creative,
Jenny x