How to Romanticise Your Life (Without Falling Into a Social Media Trap)
“ Romanticising your life isn’t about making it look perfect, it’s about feeling good in the little moments, even when your hair is a mess and you’re eating cereal for dinner. “
Okay, let’s get one thing straight. Romanticising your life does not mean you need to wake up in a perfectly made bed, drink an overpriced oat milk latte from a fancy café and write deep thoughts in a leather notebook while gazing out at the Paris skyline. That’s social media fantasy land, where everyone’s life is edited, filtered and designed to look effortlessly perfect.
Real life? It’s a bit more chaotic. It’s about spilling tea on your jumper, forgetting to charge your phone and wearing mismatched socks because you couldn’t be bothered to find the pair. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be romantic in its own way. Romanticising your life isn’t about making it look perfect, it’s about feeling good in the little moments, even when your hair is a mess and you’re eating cereal for dinner. It’s about finding joy in the small, ordinary things that make life yours.
So forget the pressure to curate an aesthetic existence and let’s talk about how to actually feel like the main character of your own life, without needing a Pinterest-worthy backdrop.
Enjoy the Little Things, Even the Silly Ones
You don’t need some big, dramatic moment to feel like life is something magical. Some of the best parts of the day are the tiniest things, the ones we usually ignore because we’re too busy thinking about what’s next. The first sip of coffee when it’s just the right temperature. Walking outside and feeling the sun on your face. The sound of rain when you’re tucked up inside with a blanket. Finding a song that makes you want to do a little dance in your chair.
Start noticing those tiny things and actually appreciate them. Let yourself get excited about a good cup of tea or the feeling of fresh bedsheets. If something makes you happy, even in the smallest way, let it. No need to analyse or overthink it. Just enjoy it.
Make Everyday Stuff Feel Fancy Just Because
Who says you have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy the good things? Stop saving your fancy perfume for “the right moment.” Wear it on a random Tuesday just because it makes you feel nice. Use the pretty mug for your morning coffee, even if you’re still in your pyjamas. Light a candle while watching your favourite TV show, even if it’s something ridiculous like a reality dating show where no one knows how to make a good decision.
Put your dinner on a nice plate, even if it’s just toast. Have a bath with bubbles and music, even if you’ve got nothing fancy planned afterwards. Treat the little parts of your day like they matter because they do. The more you make the ordinary feel a little bit special, the more life starts to feel like a cosy little movie.
Romanticise the Things You Already Do
You don’t have to suddenly wake up at 5am and start journaling by candlelight to feel like you’re romanticising your life. In fact, forcing yourself to do things just because they seem aesthetic online is the opposite of what this is about. Instead, look at the things you already love doing and make them feel even better.
If you love coffee, don’t just chug it while scrolling on your phone. Take five minutes to actually enjoy it, maybe outside in the fresh air or sitting by a window where you can feel the warm sun hitting your cheek. If you love reading, create a little reading nook with a soft blanket and your favourite snack. If you love naps, make it the best nap ever with cosy pillows and a bit of lavender oil.
Do Something Just Because It Makes You Happy
Not everything in life needs a purpose. You don’t need to be good at something for it to be worth doing. Paint something badly just for the fun of it. Take a million photos of the sky even if no one will ever see them. Dance around your kitchen while making toast. Buy yourself flowers just because they look nice on your table.
Social media sometimes makes us think if it doesn’t look a certain, it isn’t worth posting.
Stop Worrying About What Looks Aesthetic and Focus on What Feels Good
Here’s a secret: the best moments in life are the ones where you completely forget to take a picture. Drinking tea outside while the sun is shining. Laughing so hard with your friends on cocktail night that you nearly fall over.
None of those moments need to be perfectly arranged, filtered or shared with the world. They don’t need to look good for other people. They just need to feel good for you.
Romanticising your life isn’t about turning it into something aesthetic, it’s about making it yours. So go make yourself a cup of tea, step outside for some fresh air, play some music while you make dinner, and remind yourself that even the smallest moments can be beautiful when you pay attention to them.
