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HOW TO ROMANTICIZE YOUR NIGHT ROUTINE (EVEN ON BUSY DAYS)

Kylie Forshey Student Contributor, West Virginia University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Romanticizing your life isn’t just about pretending you’re in a movie 24/7 or having a perfect Pinterest apartment. It’s about making ordinary nights feel more intentional, especially when you’re exhausted just trying to survive school, work and life. 

This is a realistic, yet low-effort guide to romanticizing your night routine when you’re absolutely not trying to become a “5-9 routine” person. 

First: Redefine what “romanticize” actually means 

Romanticizing your night routine does not mean:

  • A two-hour skincare routine 
  • Journing every night 
  • Cooking aesthetic meals from scratch 
  • Becoming a brand new person by 9 p.m. 

It does mean: 

  • Creating tiny moments that make you feel cared for 
  • Ending the day feeling like you showed up for yourself, even a little
  • The goal is to wake up the next morning feeling refreshed and ready to start a new day 

Step 1: Create a “day is over” signal for your brain

Your brain needs a clear sign that the chaos of the day is done. Without this, you doomscroll and mentally replay the day until 2 a.m. Pick one small habit that tells your nervous system that it is OK to relax: 

  • Changing into comfy clothes the second you get home 
  • Washing your face 
  • Lighting a candle or turning on warm lighting 
  • Making a cup of tea or filling your water bottle 

The key: do this every night, even the busy ones, to set you into a routine 

Step 2: Make your space feel more comfortable 

You don’t need a new room, just better vibes. Here are some realistic upgrades that do not require redecorating your whole apartment:

  • Turn off the big lights. Lamps and fairy lights = instant calm 
  • Open your window for 5 minutes to get some fresh air (yes, even in the winter) 
  • Light a candle 
  • Play calming music for some background noise 

Step 3: Romanticize even the bare minimum tasks 

On busy days, your night routine might just be to shower and go to bed. That is totally OK, but make them intentional! 

  • Shower, but make it a reset!
  • Use your favorite scents and bring all of your favorite products out 
  • Watch something comforting, like your favorite show, while you are eating 
  • Getting into bed earlier than expected. Rest is not lazy, it’s a rest for your body! 

Making it a routine 

Once you practice prioritizing yourself every day, it turns into a routine that you simply can not forget. Romanticizing your night isn’t about looking put together; it’s about ending your day by showing up for yourself. Especially on busy days, you don’t need a perfect routine. You just need a few moments to remind yourself that the day is over and you are ready to conquer another day. And honestly? That’s already romantic enough. 

Kylie is a journalism student at WVU who enjoys pop culture, the latest trends, and everything fashion