Xenia Dem

Mont Saint-Michel is truly a gem of France, and my visit to this place left unforgettable impressions. Despite visiting in August, when the tourist flow is at its peak, the beauty of this island abbey overshadowed any inconveniences.

The first thing that strikes you is its majestic view against the backdrop of the sea and sky. The abbey, built on a rocky island, seems to rise from the water. It’s especially breathtaking during high tide when the road connecting Mont Saint-Michel to the mainland disappears, and it truly becomes an island.

Walking through the narrow medieval streets, you can feel the spirit of history. Every building, every detail reminds you of ancient times. And the panoramic view from the top of the abbey is simply mesmerizing — endless sands and the sea stretch out before you, creating the sensation that you’re standing at the edge of the world.

Yes, August is peak tourist season, and at times, the crowds may feel overwhelming. But even that didn’t spoil my experience. Mont Saint-Michel is a place where time seems to stand still, allowing you to immerse yourself in the serene and grand atmosphere of nature and architecture. If you haven’t been there yet, I highly recommend visiting this place.

Bayeux, a small village in France, is famous for its legendary tree — the oldest oak in all of Europe. This grand tree, over 1200 years old and stands about 15 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of over 9 meters. It is believed that the tree was planted in the 9th century during the reign of Charlemagne. 🌳

The less you own, the freer you are.

This month, I finally visited Versailles, a place I’ve dreamed of seeing for a long time. The palace amazed me with its grandeur and rich history, and the luxurious interiors left a lasting impression.
However, my much-anticipated visit wasn’t exactly what I had expected. The large crowds made it difficult to fully enjoy the atmosphere of Versailles, and the constant bustle in the palace’s halls made it nearly impossible to peacefully admire the exhibits and immerse myself in history.
Moreover, the scorching sun made it hard to appreciate the full beauty of the famous gardens. The hot weather turned the walk through the magnificent alleys and parks of Versailles into an exhausting experience, and I couldn’t enjoy them as much as I would have liked.

Versailles is undoubtedly beautiful, but I think it’s best to visit at another time of year, when you can fully experience its grandeur and tranquility without the crowds and the heat.

Be happy! 😃🥰🍉🍦🚘

Seeing the world through different eyes.

Look forward…

Look on the bright side of things.

Through the city of Lyon.

Be silent to hear the essence.

With age, you begin to understand that every moment of our life journey is filled with changes and growth. Priorities that seemed important yesterday no longer matter today. You start to appreciate more and more the small joys that used to go unnoticed, and every day you strive for a lifestyle that will make you happy.

And this is just the beginning, with new thoughts and small steps, but already there is a feeling of excitement from this realization. Life is not a static state; it is constant movement, and understanding this brings inspiration. After all, we are all artists, creating our own life paintings. And every step, every thought adds colors to this painting, making it brighter and more vibrant. This is the essence of life—constantly striving for the better, the new, the simple, and the easy.

Our lives consist of moments when we choose whether to do what we enjoy. But behind this simple statement lies a profound philosophy of self-realization and freedom. Choosing to do what brings pleasure is an act of autonomy and self-discovery. In this process, we build our lives according to our own values and aspirations, rather than conforming to societal expectations or external influences. However, it is important to remember that this does not always mean simple gratification of immediate desires, but rather reflects a pursuit of deep reflection and harmony with oneself and the surrounding world.

Sometimes it seems like the most challenging task in life is to find oneself. We strive to understand who we are, what truly inspires us, and what we really want to do. But the journey to this realization can be intricate and lengthy.
Along this path, we often encounter various obstacles. It could be societal pressures, the expectations of others, or even our own fears and doubts. We may get lost in a world of possibilities, searching for our true calling or purpose.
But it’s important to remember that this process is not a race. There’s no clear plan or timeline in which we must find answers to all our questions. Each of us follows our own path, finding ourselves gradually, through experience, self-improvement, and inner exploration.
Sometimes we find ourselves in those moments when we least expect it - in moments of inspiration, encounters with new people, or even in moments of crisis. Sometimes it requires deep contemplation and introspection.
But despite the difficulties, the process of finding oneself is one of the most valuable journeys we can take in life. Ultimately, when we gain understanding and acceptance of ourselves, we become more authentic, resilient, and capable of living a happy and meaningful life.
Remember that being human is a constant process of growth and self-discovery. And sometimes the most challenging moments can lead to the most important discoveries about ourselves. So keep walking your path and trust in your ability to find your true way.

Sometimes, in the hustle of everyday life, we forget the essential person we should be doing things for - ourselves. 🌟 «Do it for you» isn’t just a phrase; it’s a reminder that at the core of your dreams, goals, and efforts lies your well-being and happiness. Whether it’s pursuing a new skill, taking a break for mental health, or setting boundaries, let the reason be your own fulfillment and peace. Remember, when you choose to prioritize yourself, every step forward is a celebration of your journey. So, go ahead, chase those dreams, make those changes, and do it all for the most important person in your life: YOU. 💖

In life, there are moments when we notice the beauty in small details, realizing that the world truly is beautiful. But what do we turn this world into in the endless race for a spot under the sun?

At the crossroads of life, we often perceive beauty in the unnoticed details that fill our days with special meaning. Seeing this beauty, we understand that the world around us is indeed beautiful. However, amidst this magnificent picture, we often get lost in the endless pursuit of success and recognition. Instead of enjoying life’s simple joys, we strive in a constant competition for a place under the sun. This swift pace of life often causes us to overlook important moments and values that make our lives truly meaningful.

Under the pressure of modern society, we often forget that the true value of life lies not in the quantity of accumulated achievements, but in the quality of moments we can share with loved ones, in the connections we create, and in the moments when we find harmony with the surrounding world. We must learn to notice and cherish these moments of beauty in everyday life, so as not to lose ourselves in the endless race for worldly success. Only in this awareness can we truly enjoy the full spectrum of wonders that surround us every day.

Each of us has once dreamed of finding our place in this world, where we could enjoy warmth and tranquility, where everything seems perfect. But often what we seek turns out to be just a cozy and comfortable zone. And when we finally find ourselves in this zone, we stop in our tracks. We cease to grow and develop because we refuse to step out of our comfort zone and explore new possibilities beyond it. However, real growth begins where our comfort zone ends. So let’s not be afraid to step outside the familiar, seek new challenges and opportunities. That’s how we can truly unleash our potential and find true happiness and fulfillment in this world.

Life is a form of suffering.
The rich people suffer because of their richness. The poor people suffer because of their poverty. Lonely people suffer because they have no family. Married people suffer due to problems in the family. People who seek worldly pleasures suffer because of worldly pleasures. People who abstain from worldly pleasures suffer because of their abstinence.

We suffer for the simple reason that suffering is biologically beneficial. With its help, nature forces us to change. This is how evolution has made us: we always live with dissatisfaction and restlessness, as a moderately dissatisfied and restless being makes every effort to innovate and survive. This is how we are made: we experience dissatisfaction with everything we have, and satisfaction only with what we don’t have. This constant discontent drove our species to fight and struggle, build and conquer. Our pain and unhappiness is not a failure of human evolution, it is a feature of it.
So sometimes you can suffer without any remorse and guilt.

Live simply
Bloom wildly!

Love is the most powerful energy in
Universe. So love yourself and don’t forget to share this love with your loved ones. Happy St. Valentine’s Day! 💋

Just Sunday mood…

☀️

Morning routine…

The light of silence and quiet colors…

We become free when we get rid of prejudices, expectations, hopes... when we stop being hurt by the opinions of other people and are no longer surprised by their dirty deeds... when you stop reacting to pain and frustration…
The only pity is that in order to come to this freedom, you must first swallow a ton of pain along the way... But the freedom you gain is worth it! Just keep going forward.

La vie est belle.