I’ve come to realise, after many years on my healing journey, that the antidote to stress and anxiety almost always comes back to the same thing: presence.
In a fast-paced world where it’s easy to get caught up in rushing from one task to the next, noticing the beauty in our everyday lives becomes an intentional choice that we have to return to, time and time again.
The concept of romanticising your life is about doing just that. It’s embracing the little things that bring joy and making everyday (sometimes even boring) moments feel special.
Whether it’s through simple pleasures or intentional acts of self-care, you can create a life that feels vibrant and fulfilling. But you need to choose that life for yourself.
So let’s dive into why romanticising your life is more than just a “TikTok trend”, and 60 little ways to do it every single day.
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The Importance of Romanticising Your Life
If you regularly see posts about romanticising your life across social media, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s more of an aesthetic trend than a way of life.
Yes, living with “main character energy” is a phrase that Gen Z loves to say, but viewing yourself as the star of your own beautiful story isn’t something we should just dismiss as the next trend.
In fact, truly romanticising your life is a powerful form of mindfulness that can help you appreciate the present moment more.
It’s all about paying attention to the little things, soaking in the feelings that they bring, actively embodying the things that make you feel good, and treating yourself with compassion and kindness.
In doing so, you can transform mundane tasks into meaningful rituals, which can help to cultivate a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for your life.
Overall, this can help to increase your sense of happiness and wellbeing. Your life becomes a life worth living, and you step away from the hamster wheel of always chasing and pursuing something better.
Because, if several years of personal growth and healing have taught me anything, it’s this: happiness is cultivated now.
60 Ways to Romanticise Your Life
If you’re looking for simple ways to start romanticising your life, you’ve come to the right place.
The beautiful thing about romanticising your life is that it’s accessible to anyone.
You’ll find some more extravagant things on this list to try, sure – trying new things is a great way to invite more romantic energy in, after all!
But equally, you’ll also find tiny tweaks you can make to your everyday life to find joy in the little things. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
So, with that being said, here are 60 simple ways to romanticise your life…
- Start Your Day with a Morning Routine: The morning is a perfect time to practice romanticising your life. It’s quiet, it’s still, and there’s space to start your day on the right foot. Try to get up early enough to have a little you-time, and set a peaceful tone with activities like meditation, journaling, or soaking up the morning sun.
- Brew Coffee in a French Press: Elevate your morning coffee ritual by using a French press for a slower, more enriching experience. Or, if you don’t want to ditch your Nespresso machine anytime soon, at least take a moment to pause and soak up the smell of your coffee as it brews.
- Enjoy a Cup of Herbal Tea: When you have a break in the day, or as part of your evening ritual, take a moment to savour a herbal tea blend in your favourite mug.
- Wear Clothes that Make You Feel Good: During the pandemic, I got into the habit of just wearing sweatsuits because I was home all the time. The habit stuck, and I noticed that I wasn’t feeling good about myself in the baggy clothes I wore every day. Instead, put on your favourite outfit for the sake of it, and choose clothes that boost your confidence. You’ll feel better for it!
- Create a Gratitude Journal: Actively practising gratitude can help you to build your appreciation for the small moments, and begin naturally romanticising your life. Start by writing down three things you’re grateful for each day, or use these gratitude journal prompts if it’s a struggle at first.
- Listen to Your Favorite Playlist: Curate playlists for different moods, and play them when you want to romanticise a moment.
- Explore a New Relaxing Hobby: Life can become very mundane when you don’t have any hobbies or passions. Whether it’s painting, knitting, or photography, explore new things until you find something that deeply fulfils you.
- Visit a Coffee Shop: Working or reading in a coffee shop by myself is one of those things that really helps me tune into that romantic energy. Take time to enjoy the atmosphere of your local coffee shop, and pretend you’re the main character in a book if it helps!
- Try a New Restaurant: Going to a new or fancy restaurant doesn’t have to be reserved for special occasions. “Just because” is good enough of a reason!
- Send Love Letters: Write heartfelt notes to your romantic partner or friends to show how much you love them. Or, if you prefer, write a love letter to yourself!
- Read a New Book: Dive into a new story or genre to get lost in another world for a while. (Of course, a romance novel would be a great option here!)
- Take a Solo Trip: Plan a weekend getaway just for yourself, where you explore a new city. Try the local cuisine and immerse yourself in the culture to make it extra special.
- Cook a New Recipe: Experiment in the kitchen with a dish you’ve never made before. The key is to give yourself a bigger window of time than you need – put on some tunes, take things slow, and pretend you’re a fancy chef if it helps!
- Set Up a Vision Board: Visualise your dreams and goals by creating a collage of aesthetically pleasing images that inspire you to live a romantic life. You can create it digitally, or make it a ritual where you create a physical board.
- Have a Glass of Wine: There’s something about a glass of wine that just feels so romantic and sophisticated, am I right? You might not want to make a habit of it, but unwinding with a glass of your favourite wine in the evening can be just the thing sometimes.
- Indulge in a Luxurious Bubble Bath: Pull out all the stops to take your bath from mundane to an act of love. More is more here – we’re talking bath bombs, essential oils, candles, and even rose petals if you’re feeling extra.
- Practice Slow Living: Slow living is more of a lifestyle than a simple act, but it’s something to bear in mind if you want to romanticise your life. Be intentional and take things at a slower pace to fully enjoy each moment, even the more mundane ones.
- Host a Dinner Party: Host an intimate evening with your favourite friends, with your best glassware and dinner plates!
- Decorate Your Space: Add elements that make your home feel cosy and inviting, like blankets, artwork and lamps. Minimalism has its place, but avoid making your space feel too clinical.
- Light Candles: Create a warm, calming atmosphere by lighting your favourite scented candles as part of your evening routine.
- Watch the Sunrise or Sunset: Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the beginning or end of the day. You might even visit a particular spot to truly soak in the views, like a beach or clifftop!
- Write in a Journal: Reflect on your day, thoughts, and feelings. Savour the small moments and explore different language to convey the richness of your day.
- Take a Walk in Nature: A slow walk in nature is one of my favourite acts of mindfulness. Connect with the outdoors and breathe in the fresh air.
- Have a Solo Date: Treat yourself to a day out, doing activities you love. I planned a solo day out on a group trip to Scotland last year, where I visited the spa and then took a long hike through the woodland and countryside. It felt like something from a fairytale, and it ended up being one of my favourite days of the trip!
- Create Daily Rituals: Establish small, meaningful habits that bring joy to your day. For instance, going for a morning walk, or getting into your favourite PJs after dinner!
- Visit a Museum or Art Gallery: Spend time appreciating the art and culture, even if they’re not your typical interests.
- Practice Yoga or Meditation: Center yourself with mindfulness practices and cultivate a period of calm in your busy day.
- Buy Fresh Flowers: Brighten your space with a bouquet of your favourite flowers. You might want to create a ritual of replacing them each week, bringing joy into your space and something to look forward to!
- Watch a Classic Movie: Enjoy the charm of an old film, or a movie that makes you feel nostalgic.
- Spend time on your skincare: Give your skin some love and care, treating this time like an act of love rather than a chore. Use gentle touch and take your time – enjoy the process!
- Enjoy a Cup of Coffee Outside: Instead of taking a coffee break at your desk or on the sofa, take your drink to your back garden or balcony. Mindfully enjoy the moment, without going on your phone!
- Bake Something Sweet: I’m not sure that anything beats the smell of freshly baked goods. Enjoy the act of baking, and try your creations while they’re still warm – mmm.
- Listen to a Podcast: Find a podcast that inspires you, and listen to it when you need a little mindset shift to regain your main character energy. We all need a little pep talk sometimes.
- Take a Midday Nap: Romanticise the act of rest and give yourself the pleasure of a nap in the middle of your day to recharge. Napping not your thing? I love to practice Yoga Nidra instead!
- Plan a Future Trip: Living in the present is part of romanticising your life, but so is dreaming. Start planning your next adventure and allow yourself to get excited about all the possibilities.
- Declutter a Space: Create a sense of calm by cleaning and organising your surroundings. Enjoy the newfound sense of “having it together”!
- Try a New Exercise Class: Nothing quite says romanticising your life like going to a Pilates reformer class, but any kind of exercise class can have the same effect.
- Have a Picnic: Create a cosy picnic with someone you love, complete with a picnic basket and blanket to feel super special.
- Do a Digital Detox: Screens and social media will get in the way of romanticising your life because it’s hard to be truly present. If you want to take a few hours to be mindful, try unplugging from technology for the duration.
- Take a Long Drive: Go on a road trip and opt to take the scenic route. You won’t regret it!
- Listen to Vinyl Records: Ditch Spotify for a while and choose to experience music in a nostalgic and hands-on way with a record player. You’ll gain a newfound appreciation for it.
- Enjoy a Simple Pleasure: Give yourself the gift of truly taking in the present moment, like closing your eyes and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, or curling up in a soft blanket.
- Plan Intentional Time with Loved Ones: Schedule moments to connect with family and friends, and make a ritual out of it. My partner and I have “date night” every week, and this intention really shifts the energy of your time spent together!
- Go Stargazing: Look up at the night sky and marvel at the universe. Consider how vast and expansive it is, and put all of your worries into perspective for a little while.
- Have a Spa Day: Romanticising your life comes so naturally at the spa. For a cheaper option, create an at-home spa experience with a face mask and gua sha.
- Drink from a Fancy Glass: Whatever your beverage of choice, make it feel fancy. You can even make hydrating with water feel elevated by adding ice and a slice of lemon – you deserve it!
- Celebrate Small Wins: It’s easy to get caught up in chasing the next thing in life. Instead, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
- Write Down Your Dreams: Keep a journal of your dreams and aspirations. Allow yourself to get lost and write about your dreams like you would write a novel.
- Explore a New Neighborhood: It’s amazing how much of the world we’re yet to see, and so much of it is on our doorstep. Take a walk in an area you’ve never been to before. A guilty pleasure of mine is walking down an expensive street and imagining that I’ll live there one day!
- Create a Cosy Nook: Designate a space in your home for reading, self-care, and relaxation. Make it feel extra cosy with floor cushions and anything that makes you sigh a breath of relief when you enter the space.
- Visit a Farmer’s Market: Enjoy fresh, local produce and the market atmosphere. Maybe buy an ingredient that you haven’t tried before too!
- Practice Mindfulness During Mundane Tasks: Turn everyday chores into moments of peace and presence, like brushing your teeth, hoovering or washing up.
- Sit In the Park: When the weather allows, why not head to your nearest park or green space to relax and enjoy it? Reading a book on the grass has ultimate romance vibes IMO.
- Switch Up Your Space: Switching up your space can help give you a fresh perspective and energy. It can make a room feel brand new, without having to spend a penny!
- Dance to Feel Good: Dancing is one of the best ways to boost your mood. Not only is it good for your body, but it’s good for your soul too!
- Surround Yourself with Scent: Scent has the power to transport you into the present moment. Whether it’s a herb garden, an essential oil diffuser, or candles, use scent to bring a sense of calm and presence into your life.
- Do Your Makeup, Just Because: Doing my makeup helps make me feel that little bit better about myself. Don’tfeel like makeup is only for leaving the house – it can also be an act of self-care.
- Sleep in Silk or Satin: Want to feel like your own bedroom is an expensive hotel? Silk sheets and pillowcases have that luxurious feel that is gentler on the skin too!
- Surround Yourself with Plants: Don’t underestimate the power of plants for improving feelings of calm. If you don’t have a garden to enjoy, bring the outside in with lots of houseplants.
- Practice Positive Affirmations: Romanticising your life starts with your mindset. If you need a little help getting into the right frame of mind to appreciate the little things, positive affirmations might be just the ticket.
By incorporating these simple pleasures and intentional practices into your daily routine, you can transform the mundane into the magical.
Remember, romanticising your life doesn’t have to be complicated. Embrace the concept of slow living and let each moment, no matter how small, bring you happiness.
It’s a choice, so why not start romanticising your life today? You’ll be amazed at how wonderful the everyday can become.
Liked this post on how to romanticise your life? Check out some of these related ones:
- 27 Simple Tips to Practice a Slow Living Lifestyle
- 51 Powerful Mindfulness Journal Prompts for Self-Awareness
- The 39 Most Relaxing Hobbies for Stress to Try in 2024
- 109 Slow Living Quotes to Inspire a Simpler Life
- 15 Slow Living Books to Slow Down and Simplify Your Life
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Esther is the founder of Through the Phases, a wellbeing and healthy lifestyle blog dedicated to sharing mind/body/soul practices for self-exploration, healing, and fulfilment. She has a degree in Psychology, is yoga teacher trained (200hr), and is currently pursuing a Neuroscience MSc to further study the mind-body connection. Read more about her story here.