Seasonal depression is hitting. It’s wet, cold, and dreary outside. My days are plagued with trudges to classes filled with gray sludge and heaps of homework on my shoulders. That isn’t to say it’s all bad, though. More time spent inside means cozy nights spent wrapped up in a blanket with a steaming mug of tea, watching romcom after romcom.
Romcoms have been on my brain lately, as I’ve seen more that I can count in the last few months. I’ve watched “He’s Just Not That Into You,” “Crazy Stupid Love,” “It Could Happen to You,” and many, many more. Part of my newfound obsession with romcoms might have to do with my recently created Letterboxd account, where I’ve discovered the satisfying dopamine rush I get every time I rank a movie. I highly recommend getting an account if you don’t have one already.
However, I think more of it has to do with that “quintessential” romcom-ness these films possess. What even makes a movie a romcom? It has to be funny and clever, with dialogue teeming with chemistry and wit. It has to have a romance that we can root for, a romance that helps us see past the cheesiness of the genre. But, I would argue that a key aspect of romcoms is that we want to be in them.
Maybe not everyone feels like this, but often when I watch a romcom I wish that my life could be even just a little like that. The love interests are romantic and foster an undying love for our protagonists. The settings are usually picturesque, often in a quaint, idyllic town or a bustling, fairytale-esque city. And then there’s the main character.
While people of all genders love romcoms, one of the key audiences are women. It’s no surprise then that romcom main characters are typically women. Our beloved heroines often have beautiful clothes, perfectly windswept hair, and a perfectly decorated apartment. Or if they don’t possess any of the before, they’re still charming, such as Bridget Jones in “Bridget Jones’s Diary.” While a key aspect of her character is her awkwardness and quirkiness, we still love her to due her personality and charisma.
Whatever the reason for loving these women, they’re a huge part of what keeps us coming back to the genre. Andie Anderson from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” played by Kate Hudson, is a beautiful and iconic writer we all cheer for. I know many of us have reminisced about her satin yellow dress and wished that we too could wear it, just once.
So how do we recreate these feelings? How do we bring a little joy and whimsy to our lives by pretending that we, too, are the main character of a romcom? I know for me, romanticizing my life helps me to get more excited for the simple things.
For starters, we can begin with the small stuff. A huge part of romanticizing life are those little details that keep us feeling positive. When having your morning coffee, drink from a cute mug. Maybe take a little time to learn latte art, creating little hearts with the foam of your drink. When you make a microwave mac and cheese or cup of ramen noodles, sit and eat it with the lights dimmed, a blanket wrapped around you, and put on your favorite movie.
When you’re just lounging in your room, make your space something you enjoy. Invest in softly lit lamps, delicious-smelling candles, and comfy blankets. I think a huge part of romcoms is the aesthetics of them. While this may sound silly, having somewhere you love to be in and feeling confident in the clothes and jewelry you wear has a huge impact on your mindset.
Recently, I’ve started setting out my clothes the night before, organizing my closet, and pairing different jewelry combinations. I’ve started to try to do my hair in fun, new ways. These little aspects that go into my appearance help me get my day on track and let me feel dressed up, even if I’m just wearing a casual outfit.
For college students, we spend hours upon hours going to classes and studying. While this often feels tedious and mind-numbing, I’ve tried to romanticize it. I imagine being one of my favorite characters poring over books in the library. I choose cute study spots, such as the alcoves of Watkins Library or an on-campus coffee-house where I get to order a matcha while writing an essay.
I’ve also tried to make my life a little more exciting. Often main characters in romcoms have so much going on that keeps the plot going and interesting, and us engaged. Bridget Jones is always trying some crazy new fad or meeting her friends for dinner at a new restaurant. In “10 Things I Hate About You,” Kat Strafford plays guitar and plays paintball. In “You’ve Got Mail,” Kathleen Kelly throws her passion into novels and her bookstore.
My point is, the range of interests and hobbies that our protagonists have is far and wide. We don’t have to attempt all of this and fill our lives to the brim. However, joining a new club, opening a new book, or picking up a new hobby will introduce you to new people, open your perspectives, and simply give you a source of anticipation, excitement, and even nervousness everyday. That nervousness can be good, as it puts us out of our comfort zones while giving us something to look forward to.
These are all things that we can do in our daily lives to replicate that warm feeling we get in our hearts when watching our favorite romcom. They’re simple but effective, and romanticising our lives can truly help brighten up these dark winter days.