Small Things I do to Romanticize my Daily Life (so I dont crash out)
Written By : Grace Weidenhamer
In all of our daily lives, it’s easy to fall into the dance of going through the motions - just trying to get through the day. If we have free time, we think about what we can do to be productive. Having drive and being efficient is all fine and dandy, until we inevitably reach a state of burnout.
If you are like me and your mind is always three steps ahead, trying to do multiple tasks at once, and basically just trying to survive out here, these are some things that I (try my best to) incorporate into my routine to romanticize my life (so I don’t crash out).
Unplug. My favorite way to unplug is to get outside and go on a walk with no phone, no headphones, no entertainment whatsoever. We spend so much time looking at or listening to different types of media, that we don’t know what to do when we take a moment to quiet our brains. Try it on your daily walk, driving to work, or eating dinner. Take time to be present with your thoughts and show yourself that you are here, and you are listening.
Mix up your movement. I’m deep into marathon training (save me), so a lot of my time is spent running. I find that when I spend a day or two a week trying a different type of exercise, it ignites the joy and spark back into working out that I sometimes miss following my running plan. You don’t have to do a new workout every day, but maybe once a week go on a longer walk, swim a few laps, or try a new workout class.
Spend time on self care. You don’t need to invest in expensive skincare or book a $300 facial to take care of yourself. Take a bath one night, try out that face mask that’s collecting dust in your drawer, or even take the extra time during your daily skincare routine to really massage the products in, letting them fully absorb into your skin before lathering on the next product. Self care is not a chore. It’s a luxury and a necessity.
Romanticize the mundane. There are some tasks or chores that we must do, but they don’t have to be boring. Blast your favorite playlist while doing laundry, light a cozy-scented candle while showering, set your alarm to the sound of chirping morning birds, and use that fancy body oil on a random Tuesday! Everyday tasks can feel elevated if you elevate them. We don’t have to rush through. Take time to make them enjoyable (or at least more tolerable).
Treat yo self. Pick a day out of the week that you get yourself a little treat. Whether that’s buy your coffee Friday, Sunday morning doughnuts, or a Monday night movie marathon. You don’t need to restrict yourself by any means, but making your “treat” more of a planned event makes it even more special and it gives you something to look forward to throughout the week.
Have a bedtime routine that serves you. It can be as extensive or simple as you want. Each day, I look forward to my bedtime routine because it means I can get cozy and indulge in my favorite fantasy book before bed. Instead of trying to stay up late to squeeze more time into my day, I get excited to start the wind-down process because at the end of it, I get to do something I really enjoy and set aside time for ME.