09/25/2025
Does romanticizing your life actually work? From a therapist: YES.
You’ve probably heard people talk about “romanticizing your life.” The phrase became popular in the mid-2010s (really catching on around 2020 during the pandemic), as people began sharing ways to find joy in ordinary routines.
But here’s the thing: romanticizing is more than just a trend. It’s a form of mindfulness.
When you pause to savor your morning coffee, notice how the light filters through your window, or find beauty in a simple walk - your brain shifts from chaos and worry into presence. Instead of rushing through life on autopilot, you start paying attention to the subtle details around you.
This is mindfulness at work: grounding your nervous system, lowering stress, and making space for peace. By romanticizing, you’re not ignoring struggles - you’re creating small moments of calm and joy that help you move through them.
Romanticizing isn’t silly, in fact, it’s actually a therapeutic tool.
I encourage you to try today - light a candle for no reason. Plate your dinner nicely, even if it’s leftovers. Put on music that makes your heart happy. These little rituals invite peace into the middle of life’s day to days.
Peace doesn’t come from waiting for life to get easier. It comes from noticing the beauty that’s already here.
