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The Small Struggles of Expat Life in France
September 11, 2025
We have officially been here since August 19th and while the big move is behind us the small everyday challenges are what truly test us. At this point our French is limited. When you do not know much French even the little things can feel like a big production.
Trips to the boulangerie or the supermarché are not always simple. We are usually just hoping they do not ask us any questions. Labels do not make sense, items look familiar but are not quite the same, and we are constantly second guessing if we bought the right thing.
Phone calls have been their own adventure. When our new French numbers ring we often just look at each other and I am silently thankful it is not my cell. If we do pick up it is rapid fire French at what feels like 200 kilometers per hour. We'll ask, “parlez-vous English” and if the answer is no we say sorry and reluctantly hamg up.
Driving has also been its own learning curve. The priority to the right rule was confusing at first and there were definitely a few times I unintentionally cut people off. Now that I am starting to understand it I am cutting way fewer French drivers off and it feels like progress. Parallel parking, which once felt impossible on the narrow streets here, is also becoming less intimidating with practice.
Even something like face lotion at the pharmacy has turned into a struggle. I stood in the aisle staring at bottles I could not translate fast enough and finally gave up. Amazon France has become our BF for now.
It has been just over three weeks and it is hard. But we know this is only part of the adjustment. These little difficulties will fade as we learn, grow, and slowly find our rhythm here. Until then every small victory, like making it through a checkout line without confusion, feels like a win worth celebrating.
Still, there are moments that remind us why we made this move. Sitting down together for a family meal in Strasbourg felt like a pause from the confusion and a chance to simply enjoy being here. Those dinners out are little milestones too, proof that amid the struggles there is so much to appreciate.
Here is to surviving the little things while we build a whole new life in France. 🇫🇷✨
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