Romanticizing Life
By: Allie Edmonds
When our daily routines start to feel like a never-ending chore, we can forget that, in order for our lives to stay exciting, we must commit to being active participants. Distracted by deadlines and other responsibilities during the week, we have a tendency to ‘live for the weekend,’ letting the weekdays slip away through our fingers while we struggle to manage due dates and other responsibilities. Yet, finding beauty in monotony makes more of an impact than you might think.
Convince yourself that your morning coffee is the best part of your day, that commute you traverse each day is thrilling, and that even the most basic of errands are fresh and fulfilling. When you start looking forward to each day with enthusiasm, that’s when you truly start living. Learning to romanticize your daily life can renew the way in which you see the world. Finding the silver lining for otherwise dull habits can create a healthier mindset and a more optimistic perspective. Once you start to perceive less glamorous habits like waking up early and running errands as fun, that’s when you start to live every day to your absolute potential. You become excited for the work week because you realize that every day is new, full of opportunity and promise.
For over two years, TikTok and Instagram creators have promoted the idea of “romanticizing life,” by documenting how creating good habits and recognizing beauty in our often bleak world can transform your outlook on life. For many people, the concept emerged due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and subsequent lockdown. As soon as life started to return back to normal, people no longer let “typical” days just slip away. Although social media tends to uphold an unrealistic and unattainable standard, the mindset seemed to resonate with more than just highly curated influencers but the average consumer. People understood that romanticizing life does not have to include flaunting your vacation on Instagram or becoming “that girl” on TikTok.
In 2010, a study published in the journal of Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health revealed that everyday optimism could benefit both physical and mental health. The psychologists concluded that people who approach personal goals and development with an optimistic outlook are significantly more successful than pessimists in “aversive events.” Today, we can often feel looked down upon for dwelling on our emotions, taking pride in our accomplishments, or feeling overly sentimental. This unfounded pessimism deprives us of experiencing the simple joys of existence for the limited time we have. But no social expectation or individual has the authority to dictate the extent to which you are allowed to enjoy life. Despite the stress, chaos, and the issues of the world, you are allowed to remove yourself, even if for just a moment. Intentionally taking a few moments for yourself throughout the day makes dealing with the overwhelming facets of life slightly more manageable.
As another school year draws to a close, I wonder, yet again, how I let nine months slip through my fingers so effortlessly. So enjoy laughing with your roommates, wandering and observing your town with a wide smile and optimistic gaze, and delight in your daily Starbucks run. You will be grateful you made time to immerse yourself in the simple memories in the very moments they happened.
Reference List:
Conversano, Ciro et al. “Optimism and its impact on mental and physical well-being.” Clinical practice and epidemiology in mental health : CP & EMH vol. 6 25-9. 14 May. 2010.