It's simple to go through life on autopilot in our fast-paced society, always hurrying and waiting for the "big" moments that will truly make us feel alive. We are taught to cherish milestones, accomplishments, holidays, and birthdays. However, I've learned that genuine happiness frequently lurks in life's more simpler things. Romanticizing the everyday means recognizing the beauty that is already present in our daily routines rather than trying to create picture-perfect moments.
Consider the straightforward task of brewing coffee. Before the day starts, it feels like a ritual, a little love letter to myself, with the familiar sound of the coffee brewing, the way the steam curls upward, and the cozy warmth of the mug in my hands.
Books, too, hold their own magic. I’ve found myself reaching for old, worn-out novels not necessarily for their stories, but for the way their pages smell. Holding a book that has lived through years feels grounding, it reminds me that beauty can be found in the simplest things, even in the faint crackle of a turning page.
We can learn to slow down from nature as well. Every morning and evening, the sky transforms into a painting with its constantly shifting hues. Anyone who stops long enough to notice can enjoy the secret gift of witnessing the sky's soft pinkening.
This practice is further enhanced by music. Ordinary days become cinematic when I play a playlist that reflects my mood, as if I'm traveling through the world to a soundtrack composed especially for me. When sound is given meaning, even a peaceful afternoon becomes memorable and a study session becomes a peaceful.
Then there are the small rituals, like pouring tea into a favorite cup, writing with a pen that glides smoothly across the page, or lighting a candle before journaling. Despite their seemingly insignificant size, these gestures give otherwise routine tasks purpose and presence. They serve as a reminder that, when handled mindfully, even mundane tasks can have a poetic quality.
The goal of romanticizing life is to become more immersed in reality rather than to run away from it. It's about realizing that beauty is spread throughout our everyday lives, just waiting to be noticed, rather than being saved for special occasions. If we only choose to notice it, there is enchantment in the ordinary, whether it be in the sound of a friend laughing, the scent of fresh rain, or the peaceful fulfillment of folding laundry.
So let's slow down, enjoy the little things, and discover love in the little things. After all, life isn't just about the big moments, it's also about the little ones that, when viewed with a more compassionate perspective, become remarkable.
