It’s Time to Start Romanticizing Your Life — Here Are 11 Simple Ways to Start
Pausing to appreciate the beauty in the everyday is a skill that requires practice. If you're looking for ways to flex that muscle, here are some wildly charming ways to start. Image: iStock
Our days are jam-packed, weeks pass in a blink, and so many of us are too busy surviving our schedules to even notice the beauty in the everyday, let alone pause to drink it in. To cultivate that habit in my own life, I’ve been seeking out ways to infuse my routine with a dose of good old-fashioned whimsy. If you’re looking to romanticize your life a little bit, here are some wildly charming ways to start.
Turn everyday ingredients into little works of art.
Use silicone molds to turn pats of butter into seashells, hearts, stars … it’s probably a lot quicker and easier than you realize. These are the molds this creator used, but you can find a wide variety of shapes and sizes online.
“Decenter” your screens.
I’m not embarking on a screen-free life here, but I do love the idea of giving screens less prominence in the day-to-day. I’ve seen folks camouflaging mounted TVs by using art screensavers and even custom frames — but I’ve never seen one mounted on an easel, an idea I picked up from interior designer Sam Watkins.
And Bianca Octavia’s idea for repurposing her old iPad into a barely-there kitchen TV is genius. (In a follow-up post, she shared that she used specialized tablet mounting hardware from Amazon to achieve this.)
Turn maintenance into magic.
Turning self-care into a nightly ritual, complete with soft lighting and soothing music, is a great place to start. Lotion candles are a popular option for elevating your skincare experience, but Rosalie Body Works takes the concept to the next level by offering theirs in beautiful reusable teacups.
Leave yourself little surprises.
You probably remember the “fridgescaping” trend from a couple of years back — when folks were styling the inside of their fridges with fancy dishware, floral arrangements, and even framed artwork. That trend fizzled quickly, but there is something to the fact that most of us look inside the fridge every single day. If an organized fridge makes you happy, lean into that. But that could also mean putting a small vase of flowers or a favorite keepsake inside, right at your eyeline. Whatever makes you smile.
Start collecting something.
This creator started collecting dandelions every time she walked her dog, and she turned that whim into a beautiful, ethereal collection. I don’t like clutter, so I’ve never been much of a collector, but I think collecting keeps your eyes open to the world around you, and @raiatea‘s beautiful dandelion jars inspired me to start a few collections of my own.
Multitask at the movies.
If you love going to the movies, why not make a weeknight at the movies into a whole self-care moment, complete with skincare and a cozy tea or cocktail — perfect for a solo activity or as a way to reconnect with friends during busy weeks.
Give your supplement routine a makeover.
If you’re already shaking up electrolytes and collagen powders and all manner of tinctures and supplements to help you look and feel your best, try turning that checklist item into a treat. I love how this creator mixes up her hormone-support drink in a cocktail shaker! If all of your supplements come in pill form, try storing them in a container that makes you smile.
Reimagine your workouts.
I’ve been seeing many women sharing after-dark (or early-morning) workouts like the one below. There’s comfort in the reminder that you get to decide what works for you — and what better way to romanticize your weight training than dimming the lights and lighting a candle?
Eat more cake.
I don’t know the nutrition facts on this cake recipe. I don’t know if it aligns with my weight loss goals. I don’t know any of that. But I was endlessly charmed by the idea of incorporating a piece of CAKE into a nightly bedtime routine.
Beautify anything you want.
Obsessed with the look and feel of high-end lipstick tubes? Save your favorites and refill them with your favorite drugstore balm. Is it practical? No. But it’s whimsical. And that’s the point.
Did you know you can hang baubles from your shower curtain rod, your lamp shades, your kitchen cabinets … literally anywhere you want?
Remember to zoom out.
A dear friend’s mom sent me this post this week. What a gift!
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Alissa Harb
Alissa Harb is StyleBlueprint's Managing Editor, based in Nashville. A lifelong Tennessee native, Alissa has over 14 years of experience in digital media and loves writing about food, travel, and entertaining. She is a lover of dogs, true crime, and ordering for the table.