The Art Of Joyful Living: Romanticizing Your Life

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by how quickly life feels to go by?

Or maybe you feel that all you do is work relentlessly for the weekend to be Monday again in the blink of an eye?

Perhaps you had a goal to spend less time on your phone and haven’t yet achieved this yet?

Or simply don’t feel “present” in your daily life?

These feelings can be uncomfortable to experience. I would know- I used to think all these a lot!

In today’s world, we are so busy being stimulated by a never-ending influx of information that we forget to do the thing we were put on this planet to do… LIVE.

Without actively “living” in moments throughout the day, we easily slip into a bored and negative mindset.

This can cause an entire host of problems for an individual and significantly lower their quality of life if they feel this way over an extended period.

If this feels familiar then this post is your sign to make a change.

You may be wondering how and even what to change to promote a life filled with greater joy. This is where I introduce you to the concept of romanticizing your life!

When I tell you this practice CHANGED MY LIFE for the better, I can honestly say that I’m not exaggerating one bit.

By gradually implementing new ways of romanticizing my life, I became happier and more confident in who I am, while also finding more time to enjoy life.

Want to know more about this secret tool for joyful living? Let’s take a look…

Romanticizing life means viewing and experiencing everyday moments in life with a sense of appreciation and beauty. It involves finding joy and meaning in otherwise ordinary tasks to elevate your emotions while completing them.

(This can be anything from cooking to commuting to work!)

The idea behind this concept is to cultivate a more positive outlook and remember how to feel good even in life’s more ‘simple’ moments.

Think of when you were a child, and how happy you were to just be in the company of yourself or loved ones. There was no need for stimulation such as TV or phones, just being in the present moment and enjoying the experience. It is this mindset that you’ll rediscover.

“The great science to live happily is to live in the present”

Pythagoras

The best part of romanticizing your life? It doesn’t require any additional spending, and can be implemented immediately so you can reap the benefits straight away!

So why not try living life like you’re in a movie? The worst that can happen is adding a little extra fun to your everyday routine!

In all honesty, it can feel a little strange to do at first. You may feel guilty for spending extra time on yourself but I promise with time, you’ll develop the habit of appreciating the small moments in life.

If you need a little extra encouragement to make the first steps in this personal development journey, check out some of the benefits of romanticizing your life.

You will:

• Feel happier, more confident, and at peace with yourself
• Become more present
• Reclaim your personal time
• Develop emotional resilience
• Feel less stressed
• Take time to do more of the things you love
• Wake up ready for the day ahead (yes, that even includes going to work)
• Attract more incredible opportunities and experiences into your life!

So now you know what romanticizing your life means and the benefits of this way of living, let’s look at ways you can incorporate this into your life!

Start your day off on a better note by making time for yourself in the morning. Instead of immediately rushing off to work, why not enjoy a peaceful morning coffee, journal, go on a short walk, or even practice yoga?

This is a great way to do something for yourself before the day has begun!

As well as introducing a morning ritual, an evening ritual is perfect for unwinding and checking in with yourself. Whether that’s watching your favourite show or reading an inspiring book, you should again make time to do something that brings you joy.

This is different from sitting in front of a TV for hours after work, this is about doing an activity that is relaxing but also has meaning.

For example, you could pick a film or show something you’ve been putting off watching for a while or take the time to build a new skincare routine. It’s all about doing something for YOU.

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘look good, feel good’ and it couldn’t be more true!

Even if you’re just running to the shops or cooking dinner alone, feeling a little more put-together will have your confidence going into overdrive.

Besides, who else should you dress up for other than yourself?!

Spending time alone in nature is a perfect way to collect your thoughts and anchor yourself in reality.

Nature is known for its calming influence and rarely do we take the time to appreciate the true beauty of nature.

You may choose to go on a walk, take a hike, or even lie in a field and watch the clouds overhead (what sounds more romantic than that?).

Making your room or home feel cozy and inviting is another creative way to romanticize life.

Try adding candles, fairy lights, plants, and art that inspire you in your room. You’ll end up feeling like the main character with your space tailored to your taste.

Instead of mindlessly eating in front of the TV, try eating slower and with fewer distractions so you can appreciate your meals more.

Take the time to snuggle up with an awesome book that leaves you wanting to read more.

So many adults admit that they want to get back into reading but never do. So why not try to spare 30 minutes a couple of days a week? Or read a book chapter before going to sleep?

Take the time to write in a journal about your mood, thoughts, and day. This is an amazing practice that will clear your mind and bring joy to your soul.

If journaling isn’t your thing then perhaps try getting creative and write your own story! This is a great idea for anyone who has always had the desire to publish their own book.

For me, taking a luxurious bath is the epitome of what it means to romanticize life.

Purchase a new bubble bath, or better yet, add some magnesium salts to the water for a deeply soothing and relaxing bath before bed. Surround yourself with candles and put on some chilled-out instrumental music to add an even more luxurious feel to your bath time.

Taking the time to practice a hobby of a creative nature such as dancing or painting, is good for the soul.

Why not plan to do this hobby on a weekday instead of saving it for the weekend? After all, the aim is for all days to have a little extra excitement!

Break out of the mundane routines you’ve repeated for years by taking yourself on mini adventures.

This could be as simple as opting for a different route on your daily walk or checking out a new cafe. Exploring new areas is an excellent way to stay in the present and avoid wandering through life on autopilot.

Gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions an individual can experience.

By listing things that you feel grateful for in life, including all the basic luxuries that we often take for granted like food and shelter, we begin to realise how lucky we are and how special our life is.

“It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful”

David Steinall-Rast

This makes the act of practicing gratitude one of the easiest and most rewarding ways of romanticizing life.

Treat yourself to a new product to elevate your self-care routine or even book a pamper appointment to get your hair and nails done!

You deserve to treat yourself to a small luxury every once in a while in the name of self-care.

Look at you with your lovely little romantic life!

Cooking delicious homemade (and nutritious for the most part) meals is one of the best forms of self-care and appreciation.

To enhance the ambiance, I recommend adding some relaxing background music. My personal favourite has to be smooth jazz!

Romanticizing your life could not be complete without spending QUALITY time with the ones you love (including non-romantic relationships!).

Quality time means engaging in meaningful conversations and sharing exciting new moments.

We all know the importance of maintaining good relationships. Having strong connections and enjoying time with those who make us feel good helps lower stress levels and increase our overall quality of life.

Use this post as your sign to reach out to someone you love and spend time with them this week.

Swap harsh or no lighting with warm and soft lighting to enhance the romantic atmosphere in your home.

I use this sunset lamp to cast a cozy orange glow in my bedroom while I’m reading!

Continuing with the theme of sunsets, during a clear-sky evening head out to your favourite spot to watch the sunset (if you don’t have one already then find one!).

This is a perfect way to end the day and appreciate the beauty of nature.

This tip is a GAME-CHANGER.

Start acknowledging and celebrating your achievements, no matter how small they seem.

If you completed another year of studying or managed to rid yourself of debt, all these small wins should be celebrated.

Success is rarely the result of one swell swoop, but more often the culmination of many, many small victories.

Joseph M. Marshall III

These small wins are important in your world, so don’t worry about how silly being proud of yourself may seem to others!

Taking action to look after your physical, mental and spiritual health is the best way to prove yourself that you are serious about romanticizing life.

Think about it- prioritising your own needs is the biggest form of love you can give to yourself.

Therefore, make an effort for YOURSELF by exercising regularly, meditating, and completing activities that benefit your mental well-being. You’ll be grateful you started!

Although this can be an extreme measure, if you really cannot stand your current job and dread working every day, consider retraining for a new profession.

Humans thrive when they have a purpose; so don’t be afraid to follow your gut!

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do”

Steve Jobs

Choose a career path that aligns better with your own values and don’t be afraid, trusting your instincts is the highest form of self-love.

This post provides 20 easy and affordable ways you can romanticize your life. Share this post with someone who will benefit from this concept❤️

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