Everyone is romanticising these days: we romanticise our studying, our homes, our showers, our errands. Even the simple stuff like going to the shop for a loaf of bread or a box of eggs is suddenly romanticised and aesthetically pleasing. It’s all over our social media feeds – the cute pictures, the cool playlists and incredibly stylish outfits. So, is it worth the hype? Does it actually help us to be more productive or more content, more happy?
Yes! Romanticising can be helpful
I say yes!Â
The world moves so fast these days (not just the world, time also seems to fly faster the older we get) that it can be easy to forget to appreciate the little things. They just get lost in the madness of life, especially at uni. If it’s not deadlines, it’s exams. If it’s not balls and parties, it’s societies or holidays to exotic destinations during reading week. That’s probably why everyone says that your uni years go by in a flash. Sometimes we need to slow down and take note of the things which seem insignificant, and romanticising simple things is a great way to do that. Something as mundane as going for a loaf of bread at Tesco can turn into a stroll through the cobbled streets of St. Andrews in the sun (or in the pouring rain, which is the more likely scenario). A simple train journey to Edinburgh can become a journey through scenic countryside, while you listen to classical piano through your earphones. It’s all about perspective.Â
Studying too, can be made into a movie like scene with just a little bit of romance. My sister is the queen of romanticising studying. Her study space is always tidy, she always has a coffee, she colour codes and makes sure everything is laid out nicely, and of course she takes lots of pictures and selfies. I think she does more prep than actual study! It seems to work though. Maybe the way to succeed at this is to imagine yourself in a movie, one of those cute rom com girls with everything perfectly ordered and ready to go. It might help to ease any boredom which comes from spending your weekend with your nose stuck in a book or a laptop.Â
why does romanticising help?
Why does romanticising help? Maybe it’s something to do with self care. We all need to take care of ourselves and sometimes the busyness of life can derail that a little bit, so when we actually take some time to light a candle before we study or dress up to go to the shop, it helps us to feel cared for. It’s nice to do something for yourself every now and again.
Maybe romanticising helps us to be more resilient and motivated. I know that for me, finding beauty in the small things really helps me to deal with whatever is going on, whether it’s exams, bad news or just a bad day. Remembering that there is beauty in the ordinary (rather than the extraordinary) helps me to stay motivated and enthusiastic. I think it has something to do with thankfulness. Remembering that there is so much to be thankful for is sometimes just what I need to motivate myself.Â
So, yes, I think romanticising life can be helpful. Although it sometimes seems a bit cringey or unnecessary, it can actually be just the thing you need. Even something as simple as changing your study location, wearing a new dress to the shop or putting out some flowers on your desk. It’s worth a shot!
