💌 romanticizing life without losing sight of reality

it’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting for BIG moments. waiting for the milestones, or the once-in-the-lifetime adventures, the picture-perfect moments. but life isn’t just made up of the highlights, but everything in between that we often overlook. that is when i learned how to romanticize life. 

not in a delusional way, not by ignoring struggles, and not by pretending everything is alright and perfect. but by choosing to see beauty in the ordinary. some tend to believe that romanticizing life is making things seem like they are out of a movie, where filming usually requires ‘golden hour’ lighting and aesthetically curated background music. lets be honest - some days are not that. some days are filled with thoughts of “when will this day be over” and “when can i go home”. not very cinematic. but, some days could get us so wrapped up into a routine, that we forget to look out the window for how magical our routine actually is. this is where romanticizing life comes in. 

i have learned that at its core, romanticizing life is about perspective. it’s about shifting your mindset from waiting for something to happen, to appreciating the smaller joys that are already with you. whether that is treating yourself to a solo coffee data, or even sitting at your window watching the pitter patter of rain hitting your window. its not about creating a perfect aesthetic, but about finding the joy and beauty in the reality around us, even on the days that seem to never end. we often rush through life, always thinking about what’s next, and not much about what’s here now. small things such as trying to eat without distractions, or taking the time to journal in the morning, helps us feel present in the moment, making it easier to appreciate the moment you’re in. instead of viewing daily routines as repetitive, and well, routines, we can try making them something to look forward to instead. making the smaller things a mindful experience or even creating time for yourself for a hobby that you haven’t had the time for in a while can help you connect enjoyment to your daily life. 

but at the same time, romanticizing life doesn’t mean ignoring the struggles. it means learning to find beauty within them. some of the most poetic and romantic moments come from bittersweet ones - the feeling of resilience and perseverance after a tough day, or the warm hug comfort food can bring during a sad day. so much of our life is out of our control, but one thing we can control is how we choose to approach it. dance around your room, take yourself out, write letters for your future self to read. 

so to end this, just a little reminder: your life is happening right now, and even in the most ordinary and slow moments, there is always something worth savoring :)

~ ☀️