Studio by Nina

1. Start seeing yourself as the main character

Before anything else, there is a mindset shift that needs to happen. You have to start seeing yourself as someone whose life is worth experiencing.

Being the main character isn’t about thinking the world revolves around you or pretending your life is a movie. It’s about becoming an active participant in your own life, rather than watching everyone else’s.

And that starts with believing that you are the main character in your own story.

You don’t need more exciting plans, more money, or a different life. You need to pay attention to the way you talk to yourself. Because thinking ‘my life isn’t that exciting’ is not going to do the work.

Your mindset matters. Seeing yourself as the main character is the foundation.

2. Send someone a postcard

There is something special about receiving a postcard. Taking the time to pick out a card, handwrite it, and send it, costs way more effort than simply sending someone a text. And that’s why it feels so meaningful to receive one. It’s becoming a little bit of a lost art.

What’s nicer than making your loved ones feel special on a random day? Next time you’re in a shop with nice stationary, pick out a card that makes you think of someone.

Write a few lines. Tell them you were thinking about them, or that you appreciate them. Then put it in the mail. It’s a small gesture, but one that people will remember. And romanticizing your life isn’t only about making your day feel special, sometimes it’s about making someone else’s day feel special too.

3. Treat yourself like someone you love

Romanticizing your life isn’t only about going to cute cafés or wearing pink. Yes, these things can be a part of it, but it’s so much deeper than that. It’s about the way you speak to yourself and care for yourself, when no one else is around.

If your best friend had a long day, you wouldn’t tell her she hadn’t done enough to deserve to relax. You wouldn’t make her earn the right to relax. You would tell her to put on something comfortable and take it easy.

Give yourself that same kindness!

Have that lazy day on the couch because you want it. Not only when you deserve it after working hard. Make yourself your favorite dinner, even if there’s no one to share it with. Compliment yourself when you look good. Let yourself rest without having to justify it. And when you had a difficult day, give yourself grace instead of criticism.

The important shift is from: ‘I’ve earned this’, to: ‘I deserve nice things, simple because I am me’.

Treat yourself like you would treat your best friend.

4. Give your life a new soundtrack

Sometimes, and often without realizing, we’ve been listening to the same playlist over and over again, and it just lost its magic. Hearing something new can make a familiar day feel different. Finding that new tune or playlist can give you that boost of energy that can make ordinary days feel different.

Try find a new artist that you’ve never listened to before. Put on a playlist made by someone else, ask your coworkers or your friends what they are listening to. Let the algorithm take you somewhere you wouldn’t usually go, and you may discover a song that uplifts the mood of your day.

5. Stop saving the good stuff

Start using your nice things. The things you bought and saved for special occasions. The clothes, perfumes, that good bottle of wine. You are worthy of wearing that amazing perfume, even if you’re working from home.

By saving all our good stuff, we’re essentially saying that good is only coming later. But why is now not good? Even if the now is a random day, make it good. Because why not?

Stop waiting for reasons to use nice things. You don’t need a birthday, holiday, date, or other celebration. You have the power to decide that today is the occasion. By saving everything for later, you miss out on enjoying the life that is happening now.

6. Take yourself on a date

Part of romanticizing your life is being able to enjoy your own company. We’ve all not done something because we didn’t have anyone to go with. But waiting for someone else to be available is denying yourself the opportunity to experience something nice.

You can start small if going somewhere alone feels uncomfortable. Browse a bookstore without rushing. Window shop for hours if you want to. Visit an art exhibition you really want to see before it ends.

Being alone, and being content with it, is one of the most freeing things there is. Think of it like this: you don’t have to rush for anyone. You don’t need to justify anything you’re doing. Wether it’s staring at that painting for 2 hours, or even leavving the exhibition after 10 minutes because it wasn’t what you expected. You are in charge of your own day, your own life. Feel that power.

7. Be where your feet are

It’s so easy to miss your own life if you’re looking elsewhere.

You pick up your phone to check the weather or reply to one message and suddenly you’ve spent 45 minutes scrolling, watching people clean their toilets or making their morning coffee. Don’t get me wrong: there’s nothing wrong with a little scrolling and you don’t need to delete your apps. Just start by noticing when your losing yourself scrolling without meaning to.

Try letting yourself be where you are. Don’t look at other people’s lives. Don’t think of the future for a moment. Just look out the window and notice the people around you. Engage in a conversation. Look at the houses when you’re walking somewhere. Notice the flowers growing alongside the pavement.

Take the scenic route. Look up. Walk a different route, just because.

Because it’s hard romanticizing a life that you’re not even present for.