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Chiseling Out a "Soft Day" in Paris: A Morning of Book Browsing

Paris, for all its beauty, can be as unyielding as granite. Life here rushes past in a blur of metro doors, espresso shots, unpleasant correspondences, and the inevitable rain that catches you without an umbrella. So, every once in a while, I carve out what I like to call a "soft day"—a day with no hard edges, no demands, just quiet pleasures I gift to myself.

This morning, my soft day began with a cup of tea, then a facial (at home) then, I went in search of books—a pastime both mundane and magical. Books have a way of slowing time, of creating little cocoons of wonder, even in the bustling heart of a city. My first stop was Smith & Son on Rue de Rivoli, an Anglophone bookstore with shelves of new releases, timeless classics, and the kind of crisp, clean interiors that feel like stepping into a warm embrace.

Next, I wandered to a tiny Chinese bookshop tucked away on Rue Sébastopol. I wish I could remember its name, but perhaps that’s part of its charm—it felt like a hidden treasure meant only for those who stumble upon it. Inside, the scent of ink and paper mingled with the faint aroma of green tea from a pot brewing somewhere unseen.

The journey ended near Oberkampf, in the Haut Marais, at Merci—a concept store in the 3rd arrondissement known for its curated selection of books and objects. Merci is the kind of place that makes you want to pause and take in everything: the titles on Japanese aesthetics, personal empowerment, poetry on love and solitude, and the art of slowing down. Titles like Wabi Sabi, Manifest, and Marriage Poems caught my eye, each a doorway to some new way of thinking or being.

Oberkampf and the Haut Marais: Where Stories Begin
The Oberkampf area in the 11th arrondissement buzzes with life, a mélange of street art, hip cafés, and eclectic boutiques. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you could just as easily find a hole-in-the-wall bookstore as a late-night jazz bar. Adjacent is the Haut Marais, a quieter, more refined counterpart. Here, the streets feel like a whispered secret, where the art galleries and bookstores echo centuries of creativity and intellect.

As I browsed through Merci’s collection, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm. The books were not merely things to read; they were companions, reminders of soft days past and promises of soft days to come. There is something profoundly comforting about leafing through pages of poetry, prose, or philosophy, knowing that each page holds the potential to reshape the contours of your mind.

Crafting Your Own Soft Day
Soft days are not handed to you—not even by a city as enchanting as Paris. They’re sculpted deliberately, with small acts of kindness to yourself. It might be an unhurried breakfast, a walk without a destination, or a morning spent surrounded by books.

So, let this be your reminder: carve out your soft day. Find the beauty in the ordinary. Let books, or whatever brings you peace, guide you back to yourself.

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