🎈The Farniente issue
An edition to spark slowness as a rhythm… nurturing YOU first, and a sweet idleness inspiration list.
👋 Dear creative. How are you doing today?
No deadlines, no pursuit, no rushing, no looking for growth — just planted…
I intended to write this issue during the first wave of heatwaves in France. It was quite intense for 24 to 48 hours. Working was complicated, my tech friends (computer and iPad) became rebellious after 2 p.m., and I found myself slugging through the files, gathering the strength to place typography and illustrations together. I still did, though—just slooooooooowly.
Today, the heatwave feels less intense, but I wanted to share a short Farniente issue to reflect on the grace of doing nothing and enjoying the now.
For me, holidays aren’t about doing nothing, they’re about having more time to wander and focus on things I don’t get to do enough when I’m deep in projects or client work. It’s time to pick up paused projects, to finish things, and to give myself a different rhythm. I know that when I have headspace, when projects are wrapped, deadlines are met, and I’m not pitching, and I allow myself to slow down and breathe, I naturally find myself drawing, writing, and simply enjoying life more.
🎈Farniente or ‘‘Douce oisiveté ‘‘ or the sweetness of doing nothing:
❇️ listening to early morning opera
It is a wonderful and grounding moment to lie still and capture those morning songs: birds singing, the morning wind, the sky above, and the calmness of the neighborhood. You, the music of life, your morning routine, dedication, and renewed joy for the day. There is sweetness in these precious still moments, when you simply remember where you stand in the creative process: transmitter*.❇️ The art of doing nothing
For creatives, doing nothing is quite a challenge. Even in moments when we appear idle, we’re actually working! We’re always in our worlds, building bridges, connecting dots, playing, and preparing the field. Our imagination is never on pause; it’s not our fault. Life is a living class, and ideas and inspiration float everywhere if we just relax and let them do their work. That’s why I see breaks, holidays, and more time for myself as simply more time to be in that sweet idle rhythm, cultivating awareness and receiving the right inspiration because I’ve allowed myself to shift into true slow mode. Countless thinkers and artists have claimed that idleness is part of their creative process. Thanks to that state, we are experiencing so much vibrant art!❇️ Farniente activties
Besides wonder, observation, conversations, and more, I love the planning of having no objectives or goals, embracing the farniente mindset. Emails, but only the ones I truly enjoy, catching up on my favorite Substacks. I can also binge-watch things I hadn’t had time for, like The Mindy Project, and simply open myself to new things. I believe farniente comes hand in hand with everything else in our lives, finally set for this idle moment, so we can enjoy it with even more ease and joy. Whether farniente lasts a day, two weeks, or several months, what truly matters is attending to ourselves with deep sweetness. So, the slow must go on!
*Someone who quietly absorbs life’s atmosphere and turns it into creative energy, work, or expression.
Were it not for the leaping and twinkling of the soul, man would rot away in his greatest passion, idleness.
C.G. Jung
☕ Grab some tea or coffee, and let’s go!
Oh! Artists: Farniente-pairing ideas
Creative awe: creative joy and resilience
Song of the day
✦ Did you miss the last post? We talked about energy entering a room…
🎨 Farniente vibes and visionary
Colored pencils and humor
While researching pilgrim artists to showcase, I came across an exhibition in France about the art of farniente and discovered this illustrator. I thought she would be a great feature for her imaginative humor and craftsmanship, perfectly fitting for the farniente issue.
Laura Daniel is a French illustrator. Her use of colored pencils and color mastery is inspiring. She brings in humor and a sense of Dadaism as well in the way she pairs ideas. In her series “Mots d’enfants” (Children’s Words), she plays with words and meaning to reveal both tangible and intangible truths about life and joy. It’s always refreshing to see creatives who incorporate humor into their DNA spark reflection in such a lighthearted way. It’s not an easy task to strike that balance between a giggle and deeper thought, yet she does it—with bright colors, texture, and bold lines.
🤩 Creative awe
📺 The Ocean waves (Studio Ghibli never disappoints me! They reignite my creative awe and fire every time. This movie is a masterclass; it has been my animation class for weeks and months. I sit there and observe those shadows, those gestures, those lines, those close-ups, that sound and composition work... and so much more. I’ll be sharing more about it in a future issue, but in the meantime, please farniente with this treasure of craftsmanship.)
📚 The Book of Alchemy (I watched the AD house tour featuring the power couple Suleika Jaouad and Jon Batiste, and, by chance, discovered that Suleika had written a book. I had never encountered her work before. They both have a vibe—a creative force energy—and Suleika’s resilient story adds another layer to how creativity can rebirth, heal, empower, equip, and attract the good you need. The book is made up of prompts, essays, and more. The book tour itself is a masterclass in how to embody and share a book with your readers—a full musical and in-person experience. Let’s learn from that! PS: She is also on Substack.)
🤸🏽 Refreshing playdates (I discovered this series by Origin, and it became a family moment filled with laughter, immense compassion, and kindred spirits. Children are healers, and seeing how early they become aware of adult challenges can be heartbreaking. Yet, these children are growing up, reflecting their inner world while navigating an outer world that tries to shape them. It was brilliant. I only wish this kind of initiative were offered locally and supported by governments to help strengthen connections between people and cultures within a community, a country, and beyond.)
💖 What do we do this summer? (A short and light story of reunion and daily life, farniente moments. Just a summer vibe with two contrasting characters and a morning breakfast scene. For French readers and aficionados. Enjoy!)
Creativity is in every little curious experimentation.
Congrats, you made it to the end! I hope you enjoyed this Farniente inspiration.
If you enjoy this letter → 💖 put a heart on it and feel free to share it with peers, friends, and family! It helps more people discover this space. I leave you with these appointed songs.
Until next time, slow down well 🎈
Keva.
