Am I the only one who can’t stop thinking about this? If you are on a personal growth journey, self-discovery mission… whatever you want to call it. You are in the best position to romanticize your life.
Never in my life did I think I would come to the realization that I STOPPED romanticizing my life. Looking back I romanticized my life from a young age up until high school. I would think and act out these scenarios in my head that I was the Main Character. Even in school, I would walk around and in my head, I would be playing a “Main Character” theme song.
Seeing my crush in the hallway and we subtly make eye contact. As I walked by him the world moved slowly… and at that moment… At that exact moment, I just KNEW he was going to fall in love with me!
Then once the real world hit it all stopped. I became more worried about all the things adults do while still having the mindset of a child.
Anyways that is another story for another day. The whole point of this is… I want to get back to that mindset that everything in my head is so much more romantic and dramatic (in a good way) than it actually is. I enjoyed my days far more like that than I do now.
Being an adult sucks sometimes…
Romanticize your life
Why should you romanticize your life? Doesn’t it get boring thinking all the mundane things in your life are just sucking the life out of you? What I mean by that we tend to look at tasks and chores as things we HAVE to do… Not things we GET to do. Romanticizing your life is just a fancy phrase for taking all the mundane things we do in our life on an everyday basis and turning them into something wonderful and beautiful. As I said… You change your mindset from ‘”I HAVE to do this” to “I GET to do this”.
This hit me hard a couple of weeks ago because again I was in my feelings and feeling down about myself and the things I am doing. Even though I am on a personal growth journey learning all these different things about myself makes my emotional state all over the place. I found myself saying a lot all day every day that I don’t want to wash the dishes. I don’t want to write a blog post. I don’t want to (fill in the blank)
Another one I guess I loved saying was I HAVE to sweep and mop the floor. I HAVE to make dinner I HAVE to (fill in the blank).
I was complaining all the time. For what? I have a roof over my head, food to eat and I have an abundance of personal items laying around my home. Clothes, books, CDs, DVDs, and TV’s.
Switching your mindset from “I have to” to “I get to” really changes your perspective. Not everyone has what I have and I need to be more grateful and show gratitude for my current situation.
The perfect opportunity
I had the realization and I want to share it with you. If you are reading this then you are probably on some kind of personal growth journey, self-improvement kick, self-discovery expedition…. whatever you want to call it. You and I are in the best position to romanticize our life.
How, Michele? How do I do that?
Well, I am glad you asked… Honey, we are working on re-discovering ourselves with wide open and fresh eyes. We have the opportunity to see the beauty in everything we see, touch, smell, and do. We are working on becoming the best versions of ourselves and that includes us having the self-awareness to appreciate all the beauty in our personal growth journey and in this world.
Never live the same day twice
While I was all up in my feelings working through some things. I thought back to when I was growing up I always used to say “I will never live the same day twice”. And at that time it was true I was always doing something different every day enjoying life to the fullest.
As I got older I realized life has become mundane and that it is completely expected. Going to the same job, eating the same food, and hanging out with the same people. It becomes repetitive and sometimes you have this nagging feeling that you want more.
In order to never live the same day twice you gotta put some effort in. You have to make the conscious decision to do something different every day.
I am not saying that life has to be 100% different. Because we all know it is great to have routines and systems in place to make your day easier. I also know having a job kinda stops you in your tracks a little bit.
What I am suggesting is you take a new route on your way to work. Reason 1 – You get to see where you live from a new perspective… How beautiful right? Reason 2: You never know if you are some kidnap killer’s type and you be taking the same route every day… You are predictable honey! Save your life and keep everyone guessing your next move! Haha.
I laugh but it’s true.
In the end, even just changing one thing about your day makes it to that you are not living the same day twice.
10 Simple Ways To Romanticize Your Life
How to romanticize your life without breaking the bank? No one is trying to go broke while falling in love with yourself and everything around you. All of the things I am listing below are ways you can romanticize your life that don’t cost money.
Learn to love yourself
This has to be the #1 thing you must do. You should be doing this regardless of whether or not you are trying to romanticize your life. How often are you showing yourself love?
You are 100% okay just by being you. If others don’t like you… that is a them problem, not a you problem. Be yourself, love yourself and everything you have been through because all of those experiences have made you who you are today. You are amazing.
It’s okay to be alone
Enjoy your time alone. Take time for yourself to be alone with your thoughts and feelings. Taking yourself out on a date is an amazing way to get to know yourself more. It kind of forces you out of your comfort zone. Maybe you will end up speaking to someone you normally would never speak to because you were around other people.
When you are out alone you don’t have the crutch of someone else doing all the talking and you get to ask the questions you have always wondered, but were too afraid to ask because you didn’t want to look “dumb or annoying” in front of your friends. Do things for yourself by yourself and appreciate the time you take for yourself.
Once I figured out the difference between being lonely and alone it was a game changer.
Appreciate the small things
Take the time to appreciate the small things. You know the things that you normally wouldn’t. Get that little serotonin boost throughout the day. Like making your favorite iced coffee recipe at home.
Appreciate it when you have just enough change in the bottom of your purse to get your favorite chocolate bar from the vending machine at work. Get excited and be grateful when someone holds the door open for you. A warm chocolate chip cookie… I will ALWAYS appreciate a warm chocolate cookie!
A little appreciation for all the mundane things that happen in your life can give you little bursts of happiness throughout the day. Who doesn’t want happy moments all day?
Look at the world with wonder
See there is the warm chocolate chip cookie again… Patrick’s face says it all.
Take a moment when you are out or even sitting at home to find the beauty in everything. It’s time to take out the trash and when you walk outside you see the most beautiful sky.
Look at the world through Patrick’s eyes. They are always so excited and full of questions about everything. Ask the questions, and wonder about how things work. Why do things look so beautiful? Don’t take all this free beauty you have around you for granted.
Wear badass outfit
I know we all have that one outfit in our closet that we want to wear, but don’t. We are not skinny enough, we don’t have a big ol’ badonkadonk… It is time to give up on that notion of saving something for a “special occasion”. In my opinion, it never gets used and ends up going to waste.
“Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion.”
― Mary Engelbreit
Wear the dress you bought. Don’t wait. Show it off. If you feel amazing in it when you bought it… why are you putting it in your closet? WEAR IT. Don’t let it be “someday I will wear that”. Wear it now and feel like a BADASS. Act like you are the main character in a movie.
If you don’t have an outfit like that in your closet. Then Might I suggest a good thrifting day? I know it’s not “free” but we also like cheap too. Let that be your time alone.
You find a cheap but awesome outfit and then strut your shit after you take it home and wash it. Don’t let your insecurities stop you from wearing something that brings you so much joy. Let your fupa fly free. Let your flat-ass flap in the wind and smack people in the face if they wanna talk shit.
But I know those of you that are reading this right now love yourself no matter what. Although I make jokes… Every human body is different and should be loved and celebrated.
Enjoy your favorites
Make coffee at home and use your favorite cup. Have yourself a glass of your favorite wine. Write yourself a love note on beautiful paper using your favorite pen. Find those things that make you happy and use them often.
I watched a video on YouTube where this girl said to buy yourself a beautiful plate and teacup to enjoy each meal you eat. I love that idea. When you are taking time to write in your journal, read a book… grab yourself a drink of your choice and a snack. Nothing says I love myself more than having pretty dishes to make you happy.
Soak in the silent moments
I am sure I have mentioned this somewhere before on here or maybe Instagram… my favorite time of day is when I am up before anyone else in my house. Not even the cats are up yet. I make myself a cup of coffee (in my favorite mug) go to my computer and write. It doesn’t even have to make sense.
I find that time so romantic. Pretending like I am the only person up right now in the world. The street is silent, the house is silent. Everything is so quiet it could almost be deafening. All I can hear is the click of keys as I type. Or hearing the pen against the paper as I write in my journal.
There is just so much beauty in those moments. So soak them up. Enjoy the sound of silence.
Dance like no one is watching
One thing I have been doing lately and I didn’t even mean to. It was just something I started doing. I started dancing more. If you know me in real life you know that I am not a dancer. I have no rhythm.
But I found myself doing a little dance while I am doing the dishes or when Mike is not paying attention I will sneak in a little dance till he turns around and says “what are you doing?” It shows a little playful side to myself when I know I am very uptight. I don’t want to be uptight all the time. I want to be playful and goofy.
So just dance and sing like no one is watching. Prance around your house like you are giving a sold-out stadium concert to millions of people. No one in your audience will be judging you more than your pets that are watching. Watch out for those Karens…
Take Risks
I mentioned earlier about getting out of your comfort zone and when I say take a risk I don’t mean jump out of a plane at 10,000 feet… unless your into that sort of thing then damn mark it off your bucket list boo boo!
What I mean by risk is finding another job if you are not happy with your current one. Start the business you have always wanted to. Write a book that is going to change people’s lives.
Take the risks that would make you the happiest if you did them. All those things that keep telling yourself “someday” Well take a note from the greatest broadway musical rent because baby there is no day, but today. You have to be the one who takes the risks.
Show Gratitude
Be grateful for everything you have, and everything that you will do. When you grow through a lot of bull shit in your life you always end up showing gratitude for everything you have. Because you know what it is like being without.
Romanticize all the things you can buy yourself, all the art you create. The words you write because you are inspiring people. Be grateful for all the things and they will be grateful right back.
Bonus Tip: Create a playlist
Music can just make everything I am doing more romantic. It can take the most mundane things and turn them into something completely different. If I am cleaning the house… I am gonna listen to World of Warcraft Alliance Taverns – Music & Ambience. It feels like I am closing up shop as a medieval bar wench. LOL
When I am cooking or getting dressed I am going to play slow romantic songs. I have a playlist on Spotify if you are interested.
You are the only one
We have to be the one who romanticizes our life. No one else is going to do it for us. We are not in a predictable rom-com movie where the big strong handsome man is going to come to sweep you off your feet and magically your life is 10x better. (We are in a new generation… We don’t need that. We are strong and independent.) We need to be the ones who will fall in love with our life and do the things that make us happy.
We are only in this world for so long… So why not do ALL THE THINGS we want to do? Live your life with no regrets and listen to 17-year-old Michele… don’t live the same day twice. If you want even MORE ways to romanticize your life then head on over to my Instagram. I share every Wednesday ways you can do that! Start today, and start to romanticize your life right now.
Until Next Time, Have a Great Day! Remember you are a badass!
Originally posted March 5, 2021
This is beautifully written. I’m trying to take time to appreciate the small things more often. I feel like I overlooked them due to the chaos of light
Me too. I need to appreciate all the little things in my life.
After having kids, I learned quick to soak up those silent moments!
Even on the days that it is just me and my fiance. I soak up those silent moments. Love him to death, but sometimes he can be very loud. LOL
I’ve been very much into Human Design lately and one of the things that came out of my chart is that I need to relax more and enjoy the here and now. I love how your post inspired me to do just that and start romanticizing my life. I am already writing in my gratitude journal on a daily basis, but I also should implement more fun in my daily life. Great post!
I need to get back on track with writing in my journal especially things I am grateful for. Thank you for the reminder.
One thing I used to do a lot before the lockdown was dance so much in church – it was a bundle of spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical fitness.
I have never been much of a dancer, but I have found myself doing little dances around the house or in public and it is such a mood booster. Absolutely love it. You should find places to do a little dancy dance throughout your day.
This post is speaking to me and is giving me the tools to empower my life. Thanks for sharing and now, it’s time for me to start romanticize my lifee.
I have seen a difference in my mood and mindset since I started appreciating the little things and changing my mindset from I have to do this… to I get to do this. It has made me want to do the things I used to dread doing.
Some great content you have created here. thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the lovely comment Destiny.
for me being able to have a great meal in one day that’s part of diet routine will be an accomplishment for me….like today we did toast and fruits for lunch and alfredo pasta for dinner…no rice at all ,,,everyone is happy
I am right there with you. Just the thought of having such a good and delicious meal brings joy to my heart.
I would say I am a hopeless romantic and I cannot live without romance, it’s lovely that you bring up this topic and it’s a good inspiration to me. – Knycx Journeying
I am a hopeless romantic too, but sometimes I forget about myself and focus on what I can do for others. I need to swoon and pursue myself for a bit.
Thanks so much for sharing this list, absolutely a good reminder to me to at times self love & me time to enjoy what I love to do :Dcheers, siennylovesdrawing
Glad it inspired you.
What beautiful tips. Being alone is what I love. But, loving myself is very hard. It is a goal I am still struggling on.
I know it can be hard. I have my days too. I just gotta keep pushing through to find things I like about myself.
that is great advise! I definitely think my life as a couple could use some extra romance, thank you for this post
This could be used for couples, but this is more about yourself. You finding things every day to romanticize to make you fall back in love with yourself and the world we are living in.