Sometimes the little moments mean the most, maybe it’s the connection and laughter shared with that one special person, or the warmth on your face from the sun on the way to class. We don’t truly understand how rushed life gets when it’s all we’ve known our whole life, the invisible deadline ticking down. The small little things that bring smiles to your face are often looked over and we begin to go on autopilot, never truly appreciating the beauty around us. We don’t take a breath and see the joy that surrounds us, the little things that make us our goofy and loving selves. Romanticizing your everyday life means seeing the beauty in every little thing, all the small moments, feeling present, and remembering that life is happening right now.
Life isn’t perfect by any means, and fostering this practice doesn’t mean you don’t know that. Romanticizing your life means looking at every small thing with curiosity, appreciation, and mindfulness. The concept is to change your view on the life you have, to change your view on ordinary things. So take every moment and be aware of it, truly feel it. Taking the time when walking to class to enjoy your surroundings and nature, truly taking the time in the morning to appreciate the silence, or even playing music while you do a simple task and allow yourself to dance and sing.
We often go through life waiting for something bigger to happen, something better. That could be career success, special occasions, a vacation, or even a celebration. Most of life is ordinary experiences and simple routines, and we don’t take the time to be mindful of the little things around us. This could be hearing a song that reminds you of a memory you haven’t looked back on in a while, noticing small acts of kindness, or even laughing and enjoying your time with your friends. Noticing and appreciating these moments can increase gratitude, emotional awareness, and daily satisfaction.
The importance of being present; you only live once. Time moves quickly, and if you don’t take a second to appreciate everything around you, days can begin to blur together. When you constantly think of future goals, you forget what is happening in the present moment. People often spiral into thoughts like “I’ll be happier when I graduate,” or “I’ll feel way better when things are perfect.” The reality is life is happening right now, the future isn’t going anywhere. You feel deeply about your goals because in the future, you already have those things you dream about. When you slow down and really understand all the joys around you, it can remind you that ordinary experiences are what make life worth living, what make it meaningful.
The hardest part is being consistent in mindfulness practices. Being consistent and focused on the present moments instead of multitasking constantly, or living life in a rush. You can create small routines that can help you to live a more peaceful life. This can be taking a few seconds in the morning or before you go to sleep to journal or even going for walks completely unplugged. Taking the time to put your phone down and detox from social media to truly take in the beauty that is around us, the life we have in front of us. Engaging with your senses, noticing the scenery you see, smell, the sounds around you, and the textures you feel. Taking the time to truly notice the world around us, the small moments that make up that warm, happy feeling in our hearts, and actually taking the time to appreciate them.
Romanticizing life is looking around and admiring the beauty of the small things in life, in your everyday experiences. Life is not only milestones and experiences, it’s the small moments as well, it’s the joy as well. The small moments like laughter with the ones you care about, the peaceful evenings, or even the quiet mornings, those are the moments that create meaningful memories. When you begin to appreciate the present, you truly appreciate life to the fullest instead of rushing through it.
Edited and Reviewed by Zoe Carter