Introduction

During the pandemic, when traveling wasn't allowed, when we couldn't go out with friends, or go for lunch at a nice restaurant... we were forced to appreciate the little things that brought us joy in order to stay sane. We learned to be mindful of our surroundings and ourselves, and to romanticize the most simple aspects of our life, from reading a book to making breakfast. Us who stayed positive were able to push through much easier.

This post contains…

🗿 What does romanticizing life actually mean?
🥀 How to romanticize life & examples
🌿 Benefits
🔖 Conclusion
🔗 Sources

What is romanticizing life?

Romanticizing life is just associating positive things with a certain action or time. It's about making the most ordinary activity feel extraordinary.
For example, when you put up the Christmas tree, when you make gingerbread cookies, when you sit down with a blanket and watch a Christmas movie, when you play Christmas carols and even when you drink hot chocolate. With all these actions, apart from them being tradition, you are creating a certain mood, your are turning something that could be just like any other day off, into something with a little more spirit, you are romanticizing Christmas.

How to romanticize life

Focus on the little things
Romanticize the big things (use those little things to romanticize the big things):
🛖 Create the perfect space
🛀 Set the mood
💭 Adopt the right mindset

Focusing on the little things

Wearing slippers and a dressing gown
Lighting a candle
Watching the sunset
Watching the rain fall through the window
Setting goals
Organizing the future
Watching a show in bed

Romanticizing the big things

Studying:

🛖 Go to a pretty library or a cafe instead of staying in your room.

🛀 Play classical music or have a "study with me" video playing in the background, light a scented candle, make some coffee...

💭 Remind yourself why you're studying (your objectives), take it as a competition, create a reward system, create a vision board...

Reading:

🛖 If it's winter sit next to a lit fireplace or lay in bed with a warm blanket. If it's summer go to a park, a forest or the beach

🛀 Play music that resembles the book theme (eg. The Secret History and Frank Schubert's Symphony No. 4), light a candle...

💭 Read book reviews, annotate in the book ...

Cooking:

🛖 Have a clear and clean space

🛀 Play upbeat music, put on an apron

💭 Watch cooking shows, look at photos of dishes, make a Pinterest board with recipes

Benefits

Helps us enjoy things more
Makes us appreciate the little things, serves as a gratitude exercise
Improves our mindfulness, makes us be more aware of what’s happening around us

Conclusion

The ultimate goal of romanticizing your life, should be finding your own ways to stay present and to enjoy the things you do. You have one life, make it intentional, don't just go through the motions.