#MCCOTInterview {31}

Estelle Marandon, the former busy Parisienne turned into an happy and committed Country girl

At the beginning of 2020, the pandemic of covid-19 started out of the blue. Experiencing lockdown was resolutely hard on us. Everywhere on the planet, millions of people were forced by their governments to stay at home for months. It has been really like living in a bad movie, without knowing if, at the end, an happy ending will come or not. We were unfortunately stucked, living one day at a time. All the plans we did, suddently were put into standby. For a lot of people, this dark period has been the perfect opportunity to think- a lot- and come to big professional and personal decisions to make and life changes to plan.  To leave the city to move to the countryside for example. As German-French journalist and co-author of the guidebook Coming home to Nature, Estelle Marandon and her family, who left Paris for the Parisian Countryside a few years ago. Without any regrets. Living now an happy, authentic, sustainable and simple life in their old mill. Taking it finally slow. Enjoying every moment inside and outside, especially the unique beauty of Mother Earth every single day. Let's meet a former busy Parisienne turned into a committed and happy country girl. A mum of three and happy wife who has started a new second life, she is loving much more than expected. A woman who, together with new female country friends, is slowly building a virtuous community around the Countryfication's movement she is a proud founder and ambassador of. Let's discover why living in the countryside absolutely rocks. 

By Hélène Battaglia

Who are you?

I am a German-French journalist and author. And, more recently, a committed country girl.

When did you and your family leave Paris to move to the countryside?

Two years ago, right after the first lockdown.

Which reasons motivated this big decision of yours?

As a family of five, our Paris flat had long become too tight for us. Above all, we were looking for more space, but also for proximity to nature and a slower life. But without Covid, we probably wouldn't have dared to move out that far.

How many times did it take you to find your happy and perfect place?

We visited ten houses in a single day. Among them the old mill where we live today.

How did your three children welcome this big life change?

It was especially hard for our eldest. She is a real Parisian and had to get used to country life and all the little creatures that live here. The big house scared the three of them a bit in the beginning. In the first few months the children often slept in our bed.

How did you manage it yourself as a city girl and working mum?

For me, the change was much easier than I thought. I was worried about feeling isolated in the countryside and getting left behind. None of that has happened. I even have more social life than before.

How did your daily life change?

My days are inevitably better organized than before. The distances in the countryside are long, you have to think beforehand about when you are going where to save unnecessary miles. I spend more time outside in the fresh air - but I also spend a lot of time on minor repairs to the house. You can't underestimate how much work that is.

How did you come up with the idea of the book published on May 2022 and intitled ‘Coming to Nature’?

It was during the second lockdown. I had just moved to the country and had met Gesa and Charlotte there. We saw each other often during that time and discussed the phenomenon that I later baptized "countryfication". More and more city dwellers were arriving around us, looking for space, peace and closeness to nature. So we had the idea to write a book about it. A kind of guidebook for all those who want to take the plunge, but also simply an inspiration for all those who dream of country life.

You are co-author together with Charlotte Huguet and Gesa Hansen. How and when was this editorial collaboration born?

We are very good friends, but also the perfect team for this project. As a journalist, I took care of the writing, Gesa is a designer and did the layout, and Charlotte is the pioneer among us, so to speak: she was the first to move from Paris to the countryside and already has a lot of experience with country life.

Then ‘Countryfication’- you are in charge of- was born. What is it exactly about?

Originally, it was to be the title of our book. At the same time, we started our Instagram's account under this name. We wanted to create a community for everyone who is interested in country life, looking for inspiration or advice.

How people who are used to live in the city like you, get used to a peaceful and slow life in the countryside? Do you have any precious tips to adapt and adjust?

Country life inevitably brings with it a different rhythm. Everything takes a little longer. It's best to make a new mantra out of it right away. For me the way home from the train station is a pure joy: through the forest and past the fields and the horses. I don't see it as a waste of time; on the contrary, it's the time I need to switch off from a stressful working day.

What do you love the most of this new slow life?

My big garden. Being outside, digging in the soil with my hands, has become a real therapy for me.

Which is your daily routine?

In the winter months it looks like this: As soon as the children are at school in the morning, I empty the ashes from the fireplace, clean the glass and start the fire for the day so that we can keep it warm at home. After that, I work with my laptop in front of the fireplace and make sure the fire doesn't stop burning.

What do you miss the most of your former life in the city?

Being able to do everything by bike.

Any regrets?

That we didn't move to the countryside sooner.

All the pictures are Courtesy of  Countryfication

Countryfication

IG

@countryfication

@estelle_marando

@charlottehuguet

@gesahansen

#MCCOTInterview

#Countryfication

#EstelleMarandon

#Journalist

#German-French

#Coauthor

#CominghometoNature

#slowliving

#sustainability

#ParisianCountryside

#Livinginthecountryside

#lifechange

#MyCreativeCupofTea
#InternationallifestylenicheE-Zine
#Independentmedia
#Creativeandsustainablevibes
#Jointhecommunity
#makeadifference
#standoutfromthecrowd
#storyteller
#creativeandsustainablevibes
#sustainabilityisapriority
#qualityoverquantity
#lessismore
#premiumcontents
#takeitslow