International Women’s Day: The Power of Slowing Down to Change the World
Throughout History, many remarkable women have made their mark by embracing intentionality, creativity, and presence. And doing so, they helped remind us that slowing down doesn’t mean doing less, but rather making space for what truly matters.
On this International Women’s Day, I want to introduce you to five French women who embodied this philosophy in their own way.
Their stories challenge the idea that success means constant motion. Instead, they show us that by slowing down, we unlock our creativity, find our voice, and make a lasting impact.
George Sand (1804-1876)
The Free Spirit Who Found Creativity in Nature
George Sand (born Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin de Francueil ) was a talented writer, way ahead of her time, who rejected the rigid expectations placed upon women in 19th-century France.
Instead of conforming, she sought freedom, both in her personal life and in her creative work. She found refuge in the French countryside, where she wrote some of her greatest novels, surrounded by nature, far from the pressures of Parisian society.
Her lesson for us:
Creativity flourishes when we allow ourselves room to breathe, reflect, and connect with nature.
Colette (1873-1954)
The Storyteller of the Senses
Few writers capture the sensory pleasures of life as beautifully as Colette. Her novels celebrate love, food, and the beauty of the everyday, reminding us to slow down and savor each moment. She lived on her own terms, finding joy in the smallest details—a meal shared, a garden in bloom, a lingering conversation.
“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.”
Her lesson for us?
Presence is power. The more we appreciate the richness of our daily lives, the more fulfilled we become.
Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986)
The Feminist Icon Who Took Time for Reflection
A philosopher, writer, and feminist icon, Simone de Beauvoir is best known for The Second Sex, a book that transformed the conversation around gender equality. But beyond her activism, she was also a deep thinker who valued reflection, conversation, and long walks, understanding that change begins with clarity of thought.
Her lesson for us?
To make meaningful change, we need space to think deeply and act with purpose (not just react to the chaos around us).
Marguerite Duras (1914-1996)
The Creative Who Knew the Value of Stillness
A filmmaker, playwright, and novelist, Marguerite Duras embraced solitude as a source of inspiration. She believed that creativity wasn’t about busyness, but about giving ourselves permission to be still, to daydream, to linger in thought.
Her lesson for us?
Rest and reflection are not luxuries, they are the foundation of creativity.
Dominique Loreau (1955-)
The Minimalist Who Found Freedom in Simplicity
A French writer deeply influenced by Japanese philosophy, Dominique Loreau teaches that a slow, simple life isn’t just beautiful—it’s liberating. Her book L’Art de la Simplicité encourages women to declutter not just their homes, but their lives and minds, making space for what truly brings joy.
Her lesson for us?
Simplifying isn’t about giving up—it’s about making room for what truly matters.
Slow Living as a Feminist Act
These women are proof that slowing down is not passive, it is powerful. In a world that often demands women to do more, give more, and sacrifice more, choosing to pause, reflect, and reclaim our time is a radical act.
This International Women’s Day, I invite you to reflect:
Who are the women who have inspired you to live with more intention?
How can you make space for slowness, creativity, and presence in your own life?
Because when we take time to slow down, we reconnect with ourselves, we unlock new ideas, and ultimately, we change the world.