How I Romanticize My Life (On Purpose)

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another blog post from me! Amid all the chaos the world and especially this country is facing right now, I’ve been doing my absolute best to romanticize my life in any way that I can. Let’s talk about how you can do it too!

The Benefits of Romanticizing:

Life can often feel super routine or chaotic, and you can often be left feeling stuck in a rut, feeling bored, or simply just exhausted. It might even feel like there’s no remedy for these feelings, and that you are stuck being subjected to the chaos. But romanticizing your life can actually be your best friend! And no, its purpose is not to pretend that everything in your life is perfect. Instead, it’s all about choosing to find moments, no matter how short, of joy and calmness in the mundane of everyday life. It can help your brain feel safe, grounded, and present when things are overwhelming. Intentionally romanticizing little moments is not a delusional shift, but rather a psychological one that can ultimately be useful in healing as well! 

Now, you might be sitting here reading and thinking to yourself, “that’s a load of b.s.” and honestly, it might sound like it. But here’s why romanticizing your life actually does work from a scientific standpoint. 

The Science Behind Romanticizing and How it Helps:

In psychology, there is something called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is basically the process of reframing your mind to interpret a situation differently than the mind initially would. An example might be experiencing something that your brain would initially interpret as “boring”, but then you put in the effort to reframe this and instead call it “peaceful”. The moment stays completely the same, and yet, the brain completely switches the vibe from something negative or mundane to something positive. 

We can also think about this through the lens of positive psychology, which is essentially noticing and prolonging positive experiences to boost well-being! Romanticizing is intentionally savoring the beauty or calmness of a moment. It’s not about being fake-happy, but instead it’s telling your brain that the little thing you’re doing actually does matter, even if it may not seem like it. 

How I Practice Romanticizing:

Here are some of my go-to ways to romanticize my life:

-Partaking in aesthetic rituals like making my matcha and coffee at home, or creating a relaxing study ambience.

-Choosing to study outside of the house, especially in cafes, and buying one of my favorite drinks/pastries!

-Creating curated playlists for specific moods, such as a "hot girl walk" playlist or a playlist for romanticizing studying. 

-Taking photos of seemingly mundane things and making them pretty!

In Summary:

So, in closing, even on bad days, you can choose peace or to see at least one or two beautiful things. Your brain deserves softness and beauty, too! Romanticizing as a whole isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not; it’s instead about being fully you with intention. Remember that your brain responds to attention, so whatever you notice grows. If you see beautiful things, those things will grow in your brain and thus, create a more positive atmosphere for your mind. As you read these final sentences, I invite you to try one small romanticizing ritual this week, whether it’s doing something you love, like making your morning coffee, or trying something new! Thank you for reading, lovebugs, and I’ll see you next time!

Love your favorite undergrad, 

Apama <3