By SARAH BRASHEARS
Features Editor
Think about your favorite movie. Is it a rom-com? Is it a comedy? Is it full of laughter and joy? Now, do you ever wish that your life felt more like this movie? A trend that is starting to arise on social media right now is romanticizing your life, making it feel like a movie. This is all about finding the beauty and/or joy in everyday experiences and cultivating a mindset of gratitude and self-love. When you romanticize your life, you deliberately choose to see the world. You cultivate routines with a positive mindset and adapt an appreciative lens.
To me, it is important to live life with a positive mindset not only to improve your mental health, but also to find more joy, enjoy your day fully, and appreciate the good things that come your way.
We often stress on many situations and forget to look at the good that we encounter over 24 hours. It is important to appreciate the day rather than survive the day. When you actively seek the good and establish a positive mindset, you can start to enjoy moment to moment and reduce stress, which leads to more joy in your everyday life.
Start your day with intention
I like to start my day by giving myself plenty of time to wake up, plan the day, and get ready without feeling rushed. This may involve setting an earlier alarm than you do right now, but it opens the door to enjoy the quieter moment sbefore the rush of the day floods in. One way to make waking up a little earlier more enjoyable is to use a sunrise alarm clock or gentle sounds to wake up to. Using a jarring alarm leaves room to abruptly wake you and start your day off anxious and fretting.
As soon as I am fully awake, I like to read my devotion and journal my gratitude. Starting my day with praise and thanks for my blessings puts me in a positive mindset for the entire day! You can practice gratitude by acknowledging the things you are grateful for. It can be as small as a cup of coffee or thankfulness for seeing another sunrise. Regardless, set the tone for your day with gratitude and praise first thing in the morning.
Romanticize the mundane
As we step into adulthood, chores are a part of life that we can not escape. I love listening to podcasts to keep me motivated and relaxed. A good time to do this is while I do laundry. I also like to make a sweet drink while I am cooking dinner to add a little sweetness into it. Another way to enjoy ordinary tasks is to create a good playlist to keep you entertained.
Schedules can be crazy, especially while in college. Even though you may feel as though you do not have time to get ready, or may not want to get out and go anywhere, get dressed in a way that makes you feel confident. Not sitting in your pajamas will force your mind to escape the lazy and tired feeling it was sitting in. You also never know who may visit you throughout the day.
When you are having a rough day or want to feel special, maybe try using your “good” dishes, lighting a candle, or using some bath salts. There is no reason to buy them for them to sit in your cabinet without use. Treat yourself every now and then to a special and relaxing night.
Be present in the small moments
It is really easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and not recognize the small things. Instead, try being more aware of the little moments throughout the day. Take a moment to savor your meals, notice how nice the weather is, sit on the porch with a book and listen to the rain fall slowly, feel textures around you, reminisce on smells that are familiar and comforting to you. There are a multitude of ways to appreciate the small things throughout the day that can bring a little more joy to your day-to-day life.
Say yes to little adventures
When a friend asks to go and get coffee, instead of worrying about how much you will have to put off, say yes. Go on solo coffee dates to study or plan a picnic with your puppy. Take a walk during sunset to enjoy the evening sky. Romanticizing life means being curious and open, so say yes more often!
Rewrite your inner narrative
Speak to yourself like a protagonist. It is important to remember that it is your life and you are not living to please other people. It is also important to speak to yourself with positive and kind affirmations. It is everyone’s first time living life, give yourself and those around you a little grace. Frame your setbacks as plot twists or growth arcs. Instead of telling yourself that you are boring, remind yourself that rest is important and you are in the midst of a calm chapter before your next busy season.
Life does not have to be big to be beautiful. You can create a beautiful life full of gratitude by simply noticing the things around you and taking time for the little things. The little things truly add up, and in the end, it is big. Romanticizing your life is a perspective, not a goal for perfection. Try one tip today and notice how it feels. Then, start romanticizing your life little by little everyday.