How to Romanticize Your Life
Life as we know it is way more glamorized on our TV and movie screens. Not everyone can look so dreamy as they stare off into the distance while sipping or drinking a cup of coffee.
Or can we?
I think everyone has the ability to look dreamy while they stare off into the distance. It's just going to have to take some practice- to get the best experience out of life, you are going to have to romanticize your own life so you can make your life more enjoyable. Here are a few things you could do to get started:
Buy yourself flowers from time to time
In a lifetime that is unfortunately too short, we cannot and should not wait for anyone to value us. We, as women, work very hard every day on top of all that we go through. It is natural to want to wait for someone to buy flowers for you. But, when I finally decide to buy the orange marigolds that I’ve been eyeing and decorate them in my room, they become extra special when I know that they came from me. So stop for a moment and go pick up those beautiful orchards you've been wanting.
Be your own lover
Now, I'm not going to say it. I'm not going to say “just love yourself”, because we all know that’s a lot harder than it seems if you're working on it. Instead, you can take baby steps and be your own lover. What would your lover do? Doing these acts for ourselves can help us appreciate ourselves and our solitude more. You will avoid cheap company because the best quality time will be when you do nice things for you. Take yourself out to a nice gallery or write yourself a beautiful love letter.
Invest time and energy into yourself and making yourself feel great
It is essential to take time out of the day to do things that we love. It can only take five minutes, but that's better than nothing. You can get your nails done, go for a quick haircut or create an at-home spa with a nice bath and candles. Invest time in yourself.
Find the joy in uninteresting things ( try adding narration )
My 6 am weekend morning shifts at work are the most dreadful for me. I always add narration in my head and imagine myself as a character from a movie… “And although she is imaginably exhausted, she stops at a cafe to grab tea before heading to work…” Fake it until you make it.
Expose yourself to the Arts
You don't have to be overly obsessed with the arts to go to a museum. You don't even have to understand it completely. However, it will open your mind and expand your creativity when you see what someone else has created. As an artist myself, I try to get out of my comfort zone by going to see shows and plays. There are times when I don't understand the concept but that does not halt the sudden flow of creativity that inspires my own art and life. Art has the power of inspiring our everyday lives.
Be present in your surroundings
Being present and aware is the key to romanticizing your life. Pay attention to what is going on and be determined to be a part of it, even if it isn't physical. When musicians come onto the train, I always take my headphones out and listen to the music. I am not physically a part of it by singing with them, however, I am a part of it in that I am present and aware. Step out and into the world around us.
Invest in some perfume
If you want to feel dreamy, just invest in some perfume. It doesn't have to be expensive. Before I got my first perfume, I never paid attention to my body nor connected with it. Once I got my perfume, I felt connected to this body that was mine and felt that there was a scent that I could call my own. As our senses are so aware, you can connect to one of them through your own smell. I promise you, you will smile at the oddest moments when you get a whiff of your own beautiful scent.
Only a few months ago I decided to inherently romanticize my life at whatever chance I could. I was specifically inspired by Parisian women in movies that would never seem to fail to live enjoyably even at the most unflattering moments. Even their mistakes are made so graciously.
I decided that if I wanted a gracious and a more enjoyable life that I would have to make steps to achieve it. Personally, life has been more enjoyable as I accepted the world for what it is and chose to move through it happily, as if I were in a movie. I am determined to make these dreamy movies my reality.
I know this is a cliche, but we do only have one life. Enjoy every part of it, the good and the bad. Now, go look dreamy as you carry a bouquet of flowers on your arm and sip on your cup of tea.