An essay I wrote for the latest #monocle companion, a new paperback on how to improve your life. Not that I am an authority. I wrote about the benefits of anticipation - and how looking forward to something makes it all the more worthwhile. Also, I covered the fact that I am now in possession of a French passport, which was a mofo of a milestone 🇫🇷 🍾 ‘I recently became French. It was a most welcome commendation for the vexing administration efforts – five visa applications and renewals, and irretrievable hours queuing, pleading and, at one point, crying – drawn out over my 11 years of residency in France. It was the realisation of a lifelong aspiration: to have a second passport and specifically a French one. France has held a mythic appeal for me since early childhood and, while real life here is not entirely rose-tinted, I can’t conceive of anywhere that would suit me better. The application process took about 18 nail-biting months. The ceremony should have been a watershed moment – but it wasn’t. My confirmation letter was waylaid in typical La Poste style and it arrived 48 hours before I was supposed to attend. The last-minute notice turned this symbolic transition into yet another item on my to-do list, wedged unceremoniously between a doctor’s appointment and the school pick-up. But what if I had received the letter in good time and been able to enjoy the anticipation of this moment? If you care to, you can read the rest in the link 👆🏻on my profile :)