Let’s romanticize life.
N. Alexandra
It’s our philosophy here at Houndstooth + Herringbone, but what does it mean? Why am I so passionate about it? First, let’s take a step back and look at Romanticism and its history, as it is much deeper than just an aesthetic. Then I’ll show how I apply its principles to modern-day life to make me more happy and include a list of 12 things you can do to romanticize your life.
History
Romanticism as a movement began in Western Europe in the mid 1700s among artists, poets, and philosophers as a reaction to a new “modern world” full of industry/technology, consumerism, science, and urbanization. Romanticism is characterized by an emphasis on strong, often irrational emotions, individualism, nostalgia, and the glorification of nature.
Romantic: (adj.) of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealized view of reality
-Oxford Languages
Artists and poets began to drench their works with an overflow of powerful emotion uncommon in art/poetry/music before this time. The characters in novels, who would previously have been condemned for their unrealistic expectations of love and irrational emotional behaviors, were now celebrated by their authors.
Poet William Wordsworth popularized the idea of living a minimalistic life alongside nature, rather than living near a factory in a big city and being obsessed with money. Many new ideas emerged from this movement such as marrying for love, returning to the practice of breastfeeding in western society, praising children’s honesty, spontaneity, and innocence, as well as sympathizing with the overly emotional.
There are two schools of thought that are often contrasted, suggesting people are mostly either Romantic or Classical (another philosophical movement) and are rarely a balanced version of the two. Below is a video by The School of Life which details the characteristics of each.
Romantics are intuitive, spontaneous, honest and authentic, idealistic, and seek rare experiences.
Classicists are analytical, calculated, socially polite and civil, realistic, and enjoy mundanity.
Takeaway Philosophy
Still with me? I know, history is often a snooze-inducing subject for most people, but I believe we can’t understand the present, or the future, without first understanding the past. One takeaway from these ideals that I apply to my own life is that
You are the main character in your life, and even the simple things should be savored and made special at every moment.
You’re not in control of everything, but those “little” things you can control should be things that bring you joy. Life is what you make it, and it can always be charming and feel like a movie with this mindset. You don’t have to lose that child-like wonder at the world. Coffee tastes best in your favorite teacup; a drive is more pleasant listening to the perfect song; a routine bath can become a spa-like experience with candles and cucumber water; and good weather is best enjoyed barefoot on the grass.
Your happiness and well-being are of the utmost importance in your life, so let’s “treat” ourselves to some Romanticism. Romanticism also exists hand-in-hand with minimalism (which I’ve spoken about in previous posts) by being grateful for what we do have by making it special.
Romantic Aesthetic
Personally, romanticizing my life manifests itself in conjunction with a certain aesthetic. Romantic or “aesthetic” images/objects/settings evoke certain feelings in us and communicate a seemingly perfect portrait of life or a situation.
Aesthetic: (adj.) giving or designed to give pleasure through beauty; of pleasing appearance.
Oxford Languages
Sure, it’s good to remember that social media isn’t real life, but we also shouldn’t demonize presenting an idealized, artistic portrayal of one’s own life via a social platform.
It’s natural for humans to enjoy looking at beautiful things, even if beauty means something different to everyone. For me, the way an object looks is just as important as its ability to function, and so it brings me great joy to have the things I look at every day be beautiful things. The aesthetic of things may not be important to you, and you might skip over this entire section, but that doesn’t inhibit the romanticization of your life, whatsoever.
When the objects, location, or weather around me aren’t “beautiful,” I often still find joy in creating mood boards for fun, which are a collection of images with a common theme/aesthetic/mood to convey a concept.
Yes, these boards aren’t a reflection of my “real life,” which may sound ingenuine or useless in some way, but poetry, fiction, songwriting, or daydreaming aren’t hurting anybody.
12 Ways to Romanticize Your Life
01 Treat Your Skincare Routine Like an Event
It doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Do your skincare routine in front of a mirror and admire your own beauty or think of affirmations to help strengthen your self-confidence as you massage the products in, maintaining the health of your skin. Use a face mask, gua sha, cooling globes, or a body scrub to add a little pizazz and make it feel like a facial/spa service.
02 Light Scented Candles
After staring at blue light emissions from your phone and computer all day, try the light from a flame — the most natural light (aside from daylight) that you can see in. The scent from a candle is an added element of aromatherapy to help calm you when getting ready for sleep or relaxation. Candles also add a special touch to a bath or shower, making them feel more spa-like.
03 Decorate With Real Flowers
Decorating itself serves no purpose other than to make things look nice. Having real flowers around brings life and nature into your home. The colors and fragrances delight multiple senses and incorporate some feminine energy.
04 Spray Perfume
Eau de Parfum. Spray it on your sheets, the clothes in your closet, and of course, on yourself, no special occasion needed. Stimulating all the senses with lovely things is the key.
05 Disconnect from Technology
When you’re not binging romantic films, disconnecting from technology helps bring balance to your life. Whether that means reading a book, playing an instrument, engaging in a fitness activity, or doing a puzzle, entertainment/escapism doesn’t have to involve technology. This also includes hand-writing notes, lists, ideas, poems, lyrics etc., instead of using a word processor.
06 Savor Coffee, Tea, and Meals With No Distractions
Save the Netflix for after dinner, and don’t look at your phone until after breakfast. Just sit down and enjoy the textures, flavors, and aromas of your meal, without your other senses being stimulated simultaneously. When eating, set/decorate the table with as much care as you would if you were having guests over.
07 Listen To Music and Create Playlists
Create the soundtrack to your life and let yourself be in that movie or music video in your head. When listening, try not to limit yourself to using headphones if you can. Music can complement or change a mood. It’s up to you whether to explore an existing emotion deeper through music, or to lighten your mood by choosing a different song/genre.
08 Spend Time in Nature
This encompasses everything from going on a picnic to visiting the ocean, playing in the snow, dancing in the rain, standing barefoot in the grass, watching the sunset, listening to the birds, or opening a window to let in fresh air.
09 Get Fully Dressed For Simple Errands
Put on an outfit that makes you feel confident and put together, complete with your favorite accessories, even just to go out to the pharmacy or grocery store. Like I always say, the world is your runway, and when you look good, you feel good.
10 Take Yourself on Dates, Buy Yourself Gifts
I’ve heard people say “I wish I had a [significant other] so I could have flowers, gifts, and go out to eat etc.” You have all the power to give those things to yourself. If you feel like you want a bouquet or jewelry, gift it to yourself! Eating alone in public is totally normal, so don’t let not having someone to go with stop you from enjoying your favorite meal.
11 Curate Your Living Space
Even if the only space you have to yourself is a bedroom, make it your dream room. This one may take longer to transition into than the other tips on this list, but painting, choosing new drapes or comforter, adding mirrors, art, pillows, or whatever it is that makes your room represent your aesthetic, will make you feel like you’re in your own world. If you own an entire home or apartment, slowly work to make it echo your mood boards on Pinterest.
12 Live in the Moment, Allow Yourself to Fully Experience Emotions
Don’t let life pass you by. Recognize when you’re in a good mood and just take a minute to acknowledge and sit in that feeling. Think of how grateful you are for your life and happiness. Really tune in to and be aware of your emotions, don’t push down negative ones, allow yourself to experience them fully and then allow them to pass through you.
Final Thoughts
Anything can be special, but only if you actively make it so. You have the power to make your mood boards a reality by curating your life to make it as close to “perfect” as you’d like it to be.
You can live “La Vie En Rose” without being in love or being loved romantically by someone else. This type of romance exists outside of a relationship with a partner and focuses on self love and self fulfillment.
Eating meals for hours and getting fully dressed for running errands are already ingrained in some cultures/societies, so even if many of these things feel strange, people in other countries do them without a second thought.
In being romantic, you can maintain child-like wonder at the world that many lose in adolescence, which is typically replaced by cynicism and is either only regained somewhat in parenthood, or never again. Reconnect with “little you” to help remember who you are and what you love.
Conclusion
If you’d like more examples on how you can actively romanticize your life, feel free to let me know via the comments or on Instagram. Good Luck!
Much Love XOXO,
