15 Strategies You Need to Romanticize Your Life Today
Do you find it hard to get out of bed and face the day? Sometimes, believing your life is lackluster and hard will have you ready to crawl back into bed.
I have heard the phrase “You can always count on taxes, bills, and death,” and that makes me feel hopeless. Like, who truly hears that and thinks they’re living the dream? Oftentimes, we feel stuck in situations or soulless careers that leave us feeling drained.
Adding more intentional whimsy or romance to your daily life can help you feel reinvigorated in life. On the days you just don’t want to participate, that small cafe-style coffee may be what you need to keep going. Or taking a different route home instead of your usual commute may jazz up the day.
Changing up little things in your daily life adds whimsy and joy to your otherwise routine day. Stepping outside your normal day can help shake your routine up. Or adding an extra step to your morning routine can help start your day joyfully.
Become uncomfortable
When you go against the norms society has set, it can create dissonance that no one likes to feel. It feels lonely, and like you’re being judged. No one understands what you are doing or that you’re being “extra”.
It’s hard to feel alone, but it’s better to live a life full of whimsy and love than to be “accepted” by the majority. You can live a life that inspires others to romanticize their lives. You can skip to your mailbox (I have done this), wear special overalls when you garden, or drink tea out of a special cup.
You don’t have to be understood or accepted by those who don’t see your vision. Become familiar with discomfort and inspire others to add a little more to their everyday lives.
Join a club
Just because you are out of school, work a 9-5, or have a family, doesn’t mean you cannot have extracurricular activities. I decided to take a dance class after my husband came home and after my child’s dance class. It was fun to learn something completely new and to mingle with other moms.
It added something special to my Wednesday nights and created something interesting to talk about in the future. The cool thing is there are many clubs, such as bowling leagues, bookclubs, adult sports, and more. If there isn’t a club, create one for others to join.
Joining a club is a perfect way to add something to your schedule that is not only non-work or family-related, but also to look forward to.
Take a different route home
Nothing is more boring than doing the same thing every day. The same route and the same landmarks and houses eventually make everything bleed together. It becomes mundane and the same.
Changing up the routes you take home could expose you to something new that you wouldn’t normally see. Maybe nothing new will happen, but the excitement of maybe can add childlike wonder to your day.
Dress up
Whether you work from home, visit an office, or work for yourself, you should always get ready. Getting ready does not have to involve hours spent, it could be using a nice cologne/perfume. Parting your hair and using gel or ironing your shirt to remove wrinkles is all you need.
Show yourself that you matter enough to get dressed up for and add a little something special. Looking good makes you feel good, which makes you want to do good. Plus, you may feel like skipping in your new loafers.
Be Kind to Yourself
You cannot live a life full of whimsy if you are mean to yourself. Calling yourself stupid, ugly, worthless, or anything negative will not inspire you. It will only bring you down and depress you. Would you talk this way to a friend, loved one, or child? If the answer is no, you should not talk to yourself harshly.
Being nice to yourself is a skill, and the more you practice this skill, the better you’ll become. Journal about the qualities you admire about yourself or how you nailed it at today’s meeting. You are worthy of being loved by yourself.
Post you may like to read: Self-Care Activities You Can Do Today
Curate a “Main Character” Playlist
What songs make you feel powerful, confident, and unstoppable? Believe it or not, music invokes emotion and can lift you up. I have a playlist called “Main Character Energy,” and it is my absolute favorite playlist. Whenever I want to feel confident, I hit shuffle and let myself feel the music.
There will be days you don’t feel prepared, going into work, or building your business, but having this personalized playlist will make you feel like you’re starring in a movie. This is your movie, and everyone else is living in it.
Jump in Head First (fake it until you make it)
Overthinking has killed so many dreams, ideas, and momentum. Think back to some of your best moments in life and how you didn’t think about a decision. Those moments of just going for it and figuring it out lead to some of the best times. There is a time and place to prepare, but over-preparing could have you missing out.
Many people are living their dream lives because they acted first and figured it out as they went along. These are the kind of people who create their own “luck,” and opportunities follow them.
Don’t Strive for Perfection
Much like overthinking, not acting upon an idea you have because it’s not “perfect” will have you lose every single time. The average guy in the office beats you because (see tips 1& 7), he’s comfortable being imperfect. He’s going to fail and fail fast so he can move to the next idea.
Striving for perfection will have you on step 1, while Susan is 10 steps ahead and figuring out how to win. Whatever it is in life, just go for it. The fact that there is no such thing as perfection is actually a freeing thought. You learn along the way through action.
Stop looking for Outside Approval
The only true approval you need is from within. It is nice when other people in your circle approve of your choices. However, to truly live a whimsical life, you must ignore the need for others’ approval. The truth is, when people don’t understand your vision, they may not approve.
Think of that family member that you don’t seem to understand how they live. I can bet that 99.9% of the time, they don’t care about outside opinions. They are either making tons of money, living a completely authentic life, or overall happy with themselves (or all the above). To live a life that is whimsical to you means shutting out the outside noise and trusting yourself.
Practice gratitude
Everyone has a point in their lives when they aren’t sure they like where they are. There are these big goals and dreams that make your current life seem dull. While there is nothing wrong with dreaming, you should always practice gratitude.
Appreciating where you are allows you to enjoy the journey to where you’ll be. Practicing gratitude forces you to ground yourself and be present. You can journal, meditate, or even pray (depending on your belief system). Look around you and give thanks to the room you can sit in, the 10-year-old couch that holds memories, and for another day.
Find different hobbies
Todays culture has adopted “hustle culture”, which is a culture where you work long hours, glorify having no rest, and reward relentless productivity. It’s usually a toxic culture that leads to burnout and depression, but it was followed by thinking that this was the only way to success.
We are seeing a shift away from that type of culture due to many wanting to romanticize their lives. This shift in the culture of all work and no play led many to find hobbies and reignite old hobbies. Baking, gardening, gaming, puzzles, music, art, and more are making a comeback.
Not everything in your life needs to be efficient, productive, or a money maker. Make time for rest and childlike wonder to explore new ideas and creativity. You’ll see life is so much more magical through recreation.
Take a Walk
Get in tune with nature and the sun. Have you ever felt the warmth of the sun with a cup of coffee? Do you remember how happy you felt and how simple life can be? Walking in nature boosts “feel-good” hormones, promotes vitamin D production, and reduces stress.
Take a walk with the family, significant other, or even by yourself after work or on breaks. Make it a step goal or a competition to not only gamify your walks but also add a workout goal.
Take an exercise class
Exercise is important for everyone, and we live in a society where the majority of us don’t get much. Personally, going to the gym isn’t fun; however, a dance class is my jam. Find a Zumba class, rock climbing class, or anything different from normal.
YouTube has a TON of free videos that can shake up your routine and add whimsy and fun to your current workout. Check out your local rec center or gym for classes as well.
Comparison is the Thief of Joy
This is cliché, but a timeless lesson either way. It’s one that everyone knows but rarely remembers in the moment. I remember driving my husband insane due to comparing. I hated our house (even though I was so excited in the beginning) because everyone else had better houses. They had the white picket fences, 4 bedrooms, curb appeal, and they were all the same age as me.
The house we bought brand new (with all the options we wanted) and put on land we owned suddenly became the ugliest house in America. I stopped appreciating and loving it because I was comparing. Don’t let that happen to you.
Although it’s a hard habit to break, it is possible to break. Once you break the habit of comparison and shut out the outside noise, life becomes so beautiful again. It becomes yours again.
Connect (or reconnect) with loved ones
We are social creatures and long for genuine connections with others. Although our culture puts more emphasis on romantic connection, connection with friends and family is just as valid. Make room for quality time with those closest to you or those you wish to have a relationship with. Host a game night, go out for an evening, cook dinner together, or grab coffee together.
Life can feel heavy or lonely, and having people who will listen and support you makes life a little more magical. Challenge yourself to reach out to one person to grab brunch. Don’t try to go through life alone; create the village you want.
