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THE HEIMSTONE MAGAZINE +

WELLNESS | 22.09. 2024

THE BEAUTIFUL BALANCE

The art of spinning plates.
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A few weeks ago, I received many questions about my “beauty routine”: how I got back in shape after my second pregnancy, how often I work out, and which beauty products I use. To address all of your questions, I wanted to expand the conversation, particularly to discuss the main theme: creativity. "The essential thing before spreading creams hoping they produce miracles is to be fulfilled with oneself."
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SOCIETAL CHANGES IN CONSUMPTION

We currently live in a society where our way of understanding the world and our way of consuming has changed enormously. For example, I have the feeling that our parents' generation had a different relationship to consumption than ours. Without social networks and the value given to others' opinion, our parents' personal development was mostly material. They had, perhaps even more than us (I was born in 1983), an attitude of "I am what I buy". What I mean by that is that their well-being and their social existence were essentially driven by their consumption, who they were friends with or their professional success. In any case, I feel that if being rich for them was to have a nice car, for us today it would be to be healthy. In my opinion, this is how our generation is different, because, although we consume as much as our parents, we act consciously and have learned that our external well-being depends - essentially - on our inner well-being. We have also become aware of what we

eat, the environmental sustainability is now part of our daily lives, we are less bulimic and perhaps less compulsive and have learned to consume according to our needs.Little by little, we try to live in harmony with our planet and that forces us to consume in conscience and to make a return to the earth. More than ever, it becomes coherent and necessary to speak of harmony between our body, our head and the world around us. At least, we try…Even though we were raised by a generation that consumed differently, we grew up in a world facing an ecological crisis and we cannot deny it. Witnessing this change, we are the generation that will have to reverse the trend and it is our duty to pass it on to our children.
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WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALL THIS AND 
THIS SUBJECT ON THE “BEAUTY ROUTINE”?

In my opinion, well-being and therefore beauty in its largest meaning are intrinsically linked, and both are obtained by a return to simplicity and by an inner and personal harmony. Regarding the routine itself, I do not think I'm a pro! I do not spend a lot of time in my bathroom and I use fairly simple products. I think this famous "beauty routine" is a more global concept, which goes through our lifestyle, our personal fulfillment, our happiness, our daily routine in the end, more than by simple creams. So, here is my beauty routine, which is obviously very personal and certainly not revolutionary. It is absolutely not a judgment on anyone's routine or health practices. Again, my idea here is not to give you a list of beauty products but rather to share my beliefs- that a certain 

philosophy of life is beauty, and that it's important to keep it in mind every day at a time when cosmetics are growing in all directions (sometimes wrongly!). For me, the essential thing before spreading creams hoping they produce miracles is to be fulfilled with oneself. That does not mean trying to be perfect, far from it, but it means learning to accept the ups and downs of life with creativity, that is to say with humor and lightness, but also with a certain vulnerability. For me, this is what beauty is all about. And yes, this job takes a lifetime. But I believe more than anything that the balance of our mind has an indisputable impact on our physical health and therefore on our beauty.
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BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT.

The primary thing with beauty is to be "aligned" with oneself. What I mean by this is that we must try to accept ourselves the way we are, physically but also morally. This aspect should not be neglected. There is no scoop in what I am going to say but no one can change us. Except us. To accept oneself, one must already know how to listen but also to look at oneself. It's not a matter of judging oneself but only of looking carefully. We are all annoyed by some of our features. Let's assume that they are not fixed and that it is up to us to change them. As far as I'm concerned, I always try to get rid of anything that does not make me feel good. This is not an easy task because it requires putting one's ego aside, trusting oneself, letting go and accepting one's vulnerability. It is a difficult exercise but it is essential to me.
I'm quite an excessive person. When I love, I love wildly, when I go, I go for it, when I do not agree, I fiercely oppose myself. I like being in control, managing, making decisions, I like things when they go fast. It's therefore a laborious task for me to undertake a long-term work on myself throughout the different stages of life.

“In other words, welcome, accept, and then digest.”

We return to what I believe is our greatest ally in life: creativity. Here, I’m not necessarily talking about artistic creativity, but rather the ability of our minds to find innovative solutions to confront challenges. For me, this kind of creativity is essential for personal growth because it demands constant self-reflection, vulnerability, self-acceptance, and a long—sometimes painful—learning process, complete with failures. Most importantly, it compels us to take an active role in our own lives, to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. Often, frustration, annoyance, and bitterness trap us in a situation, while creativity forces us to step back, to gain perspective. We all have our own experiences, wounds, and hardships that shape us and define our personalities. But I strongly believe that these should not be the end of the story. If they are part of our identity, they should serve as fuel, not as a threat. How? By learning to give them less power (or at least trying to). It’s not about ignoring them but about transforming those wounds and weaknesses into strengths. Again, it’s the shift from seeing the glass half empty to seeing it half full. I wanted to share these thoughts with you, inspired by my friend Amélie @a-muse-yoga, who regularly reads this passage during our yoga practices. I love its symbolic and metaphorical depth. In my view, it perfectly illustrates the concept of seeing the glass as half empty or half full.
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HOW TO DIGEST?

First, you need to make a big decision: you don’t want to be a spectator in your own life. Living with remorse and wounds leads to bitterness, negativity, and fear. These emotions not only affect how we feel but also impact our appearance and, most importantly, our health. I always remind myself that every annoyance or frustration is just a wrinkle waiting to happen. Think about it—it might help you let go! This mindset is ambitious and doesn’t happen overnight. Some days are better than others, for all of us. The key is to believe in it and genuinely want it. Once you’ve digested this idea and accepted yourself, inner harmony becomes easier to find. And maybe that’s what a real beauty routine is all about. We’ve all had “harmful” relationships at some point in our lives—“friends” who are part of our daily routine but, when we see them, offer nothing but discomfort, doubt, or negativity. And yet, we continue to keep them around for years, often without really understanding why. My father always told us that we are responsible for our lives, free but accountable for the friends we choose. No one forces us, and that advice clicked for me the day I decided to stop putting myself in uncomfortable situations with people who didn’t have my best interests at heart. This doesn’t mean you have to cut ties in anger or stop being polite, but you need to understand what led you to connect with these people in the first place, why you feel uneasy around them, and accept that. Then, you can decide to move on. Once you’ve processed it (here we go again!), you’ll find it much easier to bump into them without feeling that surge of anxiety.
 

“Creativity is in every corner of my discoveries. I think it's up to everyone to find ideas and inspiration at any moment, just see them.”

In the end, it’s about being creative—taking a step back and viewing life as a vast playground where anything is possible. You can choose to move forward or backward, jump over obstacles or avoid them, stay in the shadows, or step into the light. Moving forward is not easy. It’s about learning to open yourself up to something beyond what’s right in front of you, being more compassionate, having empathy for others and for yourself, learning to ease the unnecessary pressure you put on yourself, and, most importantly, finding satisfaction in what you’ve accomplished. These aren’t rigid rules to follow, but rather a personal conviction that I try to apply to myself daily, and I wanted to share it with you. My advice? Let go of prejudices, break free from the unnecessary rules that hold you back, and learn to let life and intuition guide you. If you look closely, you’ll see that rules are meant to be bent. So, listen to yourself! I firmly believe that harmony, inner peace, love, happiness, beauty, and even physical fitness—all of it—is a matter of balance. Excess, in any form, is never good, and its opposite (restraint) isn’t either. To echo what my father taught us: we are responsible for our lives and also for our bodies. While we can’t change the shape of our face, nose, or eyes, we absolutely can influence the shape of our body. In this, we are fortunate because there are many ways to achieve it!  Of course, it starts with diet. For instance, you can simply try a one-week test, and the results will likely be immediate.
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KEY POINTS OF MY FOOD DIET.

I like to think of my body as a temple, and my mouth as the beautiful golden gate that guards its entrance. To keep my temple pristine, I make sure no trash or dust enters. Achieving health is within everyone's reach—you just need to make a commitment to yourself. Start with small changes and remember to be gentle with yourself!

Cut out quick-release sugars, which means eliminating most processed supermarket foods. Anything that comes in a plastic tub doesn't belong in your palace. Replace with fresh products: vegetables, fruits, and proteins, whether animal or plant-based. I eat everything, without restrictions, but I believe a meal without protein is incomplete. Don’t fall for “fake news”: pasta doesn’t make you fat, but low-quality pasta can be harder to digest. The key is what you mix with it—vegetables, fresh Parmesan, and good butter or olive oil are excellent choices. If you're having pasta, keep it simple—no starters, no bread, and no dessert! Water is crucial. I drink about 3 liters a day. It might sound like a lot, but like anything in life, you need to train to see results. Start by adding just one more glass of water a day. Fruits should be eaten between meals. They’re perfect when you crave something sweet or feel hungry, but avoid having them right after a meal. Have an early dinner, I typically eat around 6:30 p.m., unless I'm out for dinner. Vary your diet—enjoy indulgences but also practice moderation. For instance, skip dinner if you're not hungry, or avoid breakfast if you're still full from the night before. Your body functions better on an empty stomach, as it allows your energy to focus on tasks other than digestion. Avoid unnecessary calories, like pizza crusts or sugary drinks. Healthy fats are essential for your body to function properly, including digestive health. Yes, even pooping requires attention and effort—think of it as training your intestines like an Olympic athlete! Oils and fats are crucial. The trend of fat-free products is a real problem in modern diets; your body needs good fats and oils. Every morning, I take a tablespoon of high-quality, polyphenol-rich olive oil. If you're interested, I can write a dedicated article on this topic! Try to buy and consume only fresh products for optimal health.

"What I love about sport is;the more you do it, the more you want and need to do it"

In our busy, often overwhelming daily lives, maintaining a consistent diet can be difficult. I also believe that life is far more joyful when it’s spontaneous and instinctive—whether it’s savoring a square of chocolate, enjoying an extra glass of wine, or dipping a piece of bread into delicious olive oil. To me, food is all about pleasure, a creative playground for all five senses, which is why I’m completely against diets—they feel counterproductive. However, I am deeply convinced that balance is key, because nothing is as harmful as excess. Imagine: on the left, you have all the indulgent treats—cakes, bread, chocolate, butter, charcuterie—and on the right, you have steamed vegetables, a fillet of fish, seeds, and liters of water. In my view, a good diet is a balance between both. I’m incredibly fond of food—it’s something my husband and I bond over regularly. In fact, quite often breakfast isn’t finished before we’re already planning lunch! But over time, I’ve learned to make choices: while I don’t forbid myself anything—I’ll eat chocolate when I want or have a glass of wine when I feel like it—I strive to find a happy middle ground. Sport is a wonderful ally in life, thanks to its many benefits: it oxygenates the brain, renews our cells, aids digestion, reduces stress, and—perhaps most importantly—gives us an ego boost through its almost immediate results. In short, sport is incredibly empowering. I was lucky to grow up with very athletic parents. In our family, sport was a constant presence—on weekends, holidays, all the time. We spent our summers at tennis camps in the U.S., and in Paris, we played tennis tournaments. My father would take us running in the Bois de Boulogne, and many of my childhood friends came from that athletic environment. l’ll admit, from ages 18 to 22, I probably spent more time dancing in clubs than on a tennis court! But there’s a time for everything, and soon enough, sport became central to my life again. You can read more about this in our article on pregnancy. What I love about sport is that the more you do it, the more you want to do it, and the more inclined you are to adopt a healthy lifestyle. I know that, at first, sport can feel like a real chore, but I promise—the more you do, the more you’ll want to. And please, no excuses! There’s no age limit to start, and you don’t need any special talent to participate. For example, jogging is fantastic because it works the entire body.
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SPORTS IS A MATTER OF DISCIPLINE

There’s no miracle recipe for getting fit—it takes training, hard work, consistency, and dedication. But the good news is, the results—both on your body and mental health—come quickly. You can completely reshape your body, but it requires effort and commitment. I prioritize my workouts, runs, and yoga sessions, placing them at the top of my daily to-do list. Working out has become my priority because how I feel and how I look are crucial to me—right after my family, of course. If you’re wondering where to start, there’s no exact recipe. You need to find your own path, discover what works for you, and most importantly, put yourself out there. If you're just starting, begin with a 5-6 minute jog and gradually increase to 10-12 minutes. Stick with this routine for a few weeks, and you'll naturally start to progress, pushing yourself further. After a few months, it wouldn’t be surprising if a 45-minute jog feels normal—or even necessary. The key is to start small, stay consistent, and most importantly, listen to your body.

Sport is an integral part of my daily life, and my schedule often revolves around my yoga or boxing classes. As I mentioned earlier, the more you do, the more you need and want to do. Two years ago, I decided to improve my flexibility and started practicing yoga. The transformation of my body has been remarkable. I had always been focused on cardio—boxing, running, swimming, tennis—so I was strong, but yoga has changed my body in a different way. I feel longer, leaner, more open, as though I’ve created space within myself. It all comes back to what I said at the beginning: our bodies are constantly evolving, and it’s up to us to maintain and shape them into what we want. In another article I will describe and explain my beauty routine (dry brush, cold plunges, bone marrow broth, sleep routines, and work out routine), and all my other potions that I put together over the years.
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“ I want to conclude this article by saying that, for me, true beauty lies in blossoming. 
When we are fulfilled, everything slides on us—even the creams!”

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