The Proust Questionnaire: Elin Petronella
"Expect the unexpected."
When thinking of Sweden, one might imagine calm and peaceful landscapes surrounding icy lakes, herds of moose strolling in endless snowscapes, or pieces of furniture with unpronounceable names. Well, my guest today might be from Sweden, but she does not look like a moose, has a fairly pronounceable name, and is more akin to a tropical tornado than a cold blizzard. Yes, you recognised her, I’m talking about
, the author of Follow Your Gut. Aside from being probably the friendliest person on , Elin happens to be a multi-talented artist capable of the finest embroideries, delicate drawings, and hard-punching one-liners.
Please check her out and don’t hesitate to troll her with ‘Snörkelborgs’ or ‘Blundfåtöljs’ and other made-up Ikea names in DMs—she really enjoys it.
On this note and without further ado, here is
‘s Proust Questionnaire:Elin, what is your idea of perfect happiness?
Immersed in a creative project, materials spread across a large robust wooden table along with open notebooks full of scribbled notes. Warm sun rays coming through the large windows that cast gorgeous shadows on the wall as they hit the foliage from the greenery growing in all corners of the studio. In a brief pause I meet the eyes of my husband from across the table, who is equally deep in his creative flow and our daughters chatting along while drawing on a small table next by…
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
I don’t know if Pippi Longstocking counts, but if she does, I think she pretty much sums me up. Swedish, but strangely positive, uplifting and creative doing her own thing even when everyone think she’s crazy (or that she can’t do it). Though I don’t have any animals and I don’t think I want any. Two children and a husband are enough.
Which living person do you most admire?
My midwife that came to me in two different countries for my two children. Her presence is like no other I’ve ever met. Magic.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Overthinking, especially when I retell a conversation in my mind that has already happened and come up with a million versions of what I should’ve said or done instead… it’s a bit more useful when done in advance compared to afterwards when I can’t change anything anyway, though at large just a big waste of time and energy…
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
I’m allergic to judgemental people.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I have a very hard time to pass on notebooks, art and craft supplies even when there’s no budget for it (not to mention fabrics whenever we accidentally (who am I trying to fool) pass the fabric district in Montmartre, Paris). There always seems to be a “project in process” or “need for my daughters to get creative”. Having children certainly facilitated my imagination for excuses as I can always blame on them..
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Innovativeness. I’ll be honest I had no idea at first and had to google a long list of virtues to be able to answer the question. The one that stood out to me was innovativeness for the simple reason that I sometimes think it’s unnecessary to reinvent the wheel. We don’t need new things all the time; I don’t think new/innovative means inherently better. But maybe it’s because I’m a history junky and think things should be treasured, cared for and rather creatively reused rather than scraped and forgotten to give place for the new innovations…
On what occasion do you lie?
Never straight out, but can speak around things in an intentional way when I know the other part isn’t on the same wavelength and I simply don’t have the energy to have to explain myself further… sometimes it’s just easier to let things be (my Swedish side suddenly became very apparent against my French influences…)
What is your greatest regret?
I don’t know if I really regret anything because even the things I wish hadn’t happened still brought me something I wouldn’t want to be without (greater resilience for one).
When and where are you happiest?
Whenever I am with my daughters and husband, preferably on an adventure exploring a new place.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
To never give up and keep “doing my shit” no matter what.
Example:
Have independently lived off my art and creativity my whole adult life including feeding a growing family
If you could choose to come back as something, what would it be?
I’ve never thought about this, perhaps because I very rarely think about death in the first place, even if it’s very present in today’s world (including unwell relatives). But for some reason I never apply any of these things to myself. It’s just second nature that I’ll get old and ones it’s time I want to embrace it knowing I lived MY life not someone else’s vision of my life.
Should I have to return I think I’d want to return as myself… is that strange? I genuinely don’t want someone else’s life. I love mine because I’ve deliberately built it the way I want it even though I (like hopefully many others) have yet unfulfilled goals and dreams, I’m living my dream life with all its ups and downs. A life I actually didn’t even knew was possible growing up as none of it was included in the manual pushed at school.
What is your most treasured possession?
My engagement ring for the story it holds.
Where would you like to live?
Right now I feel very at home and don’t want to be anywhere else. It’s been only 6 months since we arrived in the Belgian Ardennes, but the daily forest hikes have truly caught my heart and I feel a greater sense of calm than ever before. Like I am in the right place at the right time (probably this is what contributed to the energy to start Follow Your Gut here on Substack as a new creative project from scratch).
That said, I’ve lived in 7 countries, 4 with children and 3 without, and there are many more that I’d love to live in. But I think I’ve come to the conclusion that the physical location is of less importance to me than how I live. As long as I’m able to be completely independent with regards to how and what I do with my days, I’m happy.
What is your favorite occupation?
Creating. It can be anything from drawing, painting. writing and sewing to building, jewelry or remaking an old lampshade (this last one seems oddly specific, but it’s primarily because a large half-finished lampshade is currently on the carpet in front of me as I type this… Found a table lamp with a wooden foot marked “1873” at a “donnerie” today (like a second hand place, but everything is for free… I know, it’s the best thing ever but also very dangerous for someone who has a problem to NOT come up with new ideas of how to upcycle everything… Anyhow, the lampshade was as you can imagine, quite run down, so I’m using a vintage inspired fabric I bought some years back to bring it to life anew).
What is your most marked characteristic?
My energy.
What do you most value in your friends?
Respect. The same for anyone really. We don’t have to think the same thing, but we must always respect and allow each other to be who we are without judgement.
Who are your favorite writers?
The first one that comes to mind is a Swedish author called Elisabeth Nemert. I think I’ve read all her books by now. She writes incredible fiction stories about life for people set in various geographic and historical periods. It makes me feel less alone in all the emotional turbulence that means life. That we all feel the same at one time or another all in relation to one’s own experiences and environment at a certain time and place. It’s quite liberating to be all the same in our individual uniqueness.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My husband and daughters.
How would you like to die?
Of old age peacefully in my sleep at home.
What is your motto?
In this season of life: “Expect the unexpected”.
As ever, please let me or in this case
know of your thoughts and best made up Swedish words in the commentaries!
I think the people making up the names of the furniture must have a blast trolling the world into believing these are actual words… though some make sense (i admit to that) the majority is just a massive joke. I like it.
Thanks a lot for having me! This was the hardest questionnaire I’ve ever done and definitely lead down some really existential trains of thought… though I’m also grateful because turns out I’m happier than I maybe realized. Life is beautiful just like art 🙏🏼 xx
What I adored about this interview is the experience of you Elin. I felt you like the rolling out of a luscious green carpet of happiness. It’s not verdant but rather mixed threads interlaced with turquoise plus subtle dabs of almost ochre. It swept me along with such joy. Thank you!