Have you been going through a really rough time lately?
Does it feel like nothing is working no matter how hard you’re trying?
Does it feel like every time you put one step forward and make some progress, suddenly something happens and you’re 10 steps backwards?
If you feel this way, I see you and I’m sending you a big hug from here!
When we’re going through tough periods and it feels like life is hitting us from all directions, it’s easy to feel down and like you should just give up on everything you’re trying to do.
Hey, I’m going through these emotions right now as I navigate the confusion of life post-graduation.
But something that helps is learning to romanticize your everyday life.
I don’t mean pretending you’re a different person in a completely different life. Rather, I want to encourage you to find the beauty in your current situation no matter how tough it may seem and choose to see the good in everyday life while still striving for more.
So here are 7 ways I romanticize my everyday life when it feels a bit overwhelming. I hope these help you experience a bit more peace and joy everyday.
1. Always have something to look forward to
I’ve noticed that it’s easy for me to get really down and unmotivated with life when I’m just going through the same, boring adult motions.
Waking up—working—taking care of the house—going to bed.
And repeating the same thing everyday!
It’s so freaking boring!
It makes you wonder what the hell happened to LIVING LIFE???
When you have things to look forward to, it gives you energy and excitement. It helps you get through the serious stuff because you know you have fun things planned for later!
So always have something to look forward to. For me, I now watch an episode of my favorite show at the end of every day. It’s become a non-negotiable for me because it brings me so much joy!
So whatever makes you happy or excited, whether it’s the same as mine or planning a solo date for yourself every week, always make sure to make time for it in your week.
2. Create a playlist for everything!
Music is just one of the best things ever created honestly.
And it’s a lot easier to get through difficult tasks when you have some dope music playing along don’t you think?
I love listening to my fav songs when I’m cooking or doing some light work because it helps me focus and makes the experience so much more fun for me. If I didn’t, I’d probably get distracted every five minutes.
My go-to songs lately: Hamilton soundtrack and One Direction! (it’s a nice throwback to my teen years!)
I also highly recommend starting your day with music. Whatever song really gets you moving.
I love to start my day dancing to my fav songs as I get ready in the morning.
This also helps me celebrate the fact that I’m healthy and I can move. You know, no matter how hard life gets, it would get a whole lot harder if I couldn’t do that.
3. Romanticize your work life
If your professional life is getting a bit too dull for your liking, make some changes.
Grab your laptop and go work at a cafe if you’re able. Start listening to music as you work or bring along a nice cup of tea or a snack.
I started going to a cafe to work on my blog and I love it so much because I order hot chocolate and my fav pastries and it makes me feel like I’m just living my absolute best writer life!
I needed to make that change because it was getting quite boring to always work from home. Changing my environment has also helped me a lot creatively.
4. Create a ” Day in The Life Of” using your dream version of yourself!
Whatever you’re trying to achieve in your life, start living it before it becomes a reality.
Not because you’re actively trying to manifest it (although that works too) but simply because it feels FUN.
I was living the writer life way before I realized my calling for writing. I had a boatload of story ideas on my phone and I used to pretend that my friends were my editors simply because it felt so fun and exciting!
And even though I’m not exactly where I want to be yet, I’m living that life right now when I share my fun little stories on this blog!
So start designing what a typical day would be as your dream self and start following that routine a little bit every day and have fun doing it!
5. Apply the “crossword” method to your everyday life
Okay let me explain.
I came up with this concept when I was working on a crossword the other day.
I was looking at this sea of scrambled letters wondering where to even start. Then I picked one word from the list and decided to look for that one word….surprise, surprise that’s the word that immediately jumped out at me from all the scrambled up letters!
It took a few more instances of this for me to realize one very important thing: what you focus on, you bring more of.
Your brain will focus on what you tell it to focus on, what you deem important. And it will filter out the rest.
So if you decide that today you want to see opportunities or lots of smiles around you, it will give you that!
Every morning, I recite this affirmation: something really cool is going to happen today. And then I sit back and wait for it.
Whether it’s a compliment from a stranger, a really delicious meal or some good news in my email, something really cool always does happen. This is also a great way to condition your mind to be more grateful.
I urge you to try this!!
6. Be grateful everyday
This is basically the point of this whole post but still.
I was really stressed about the state of my career post-grad. I hadn’t yet found a job in my field and I also realized I wanted to pursue something different. I was also really worried about how I would pay off my student loans without a stable, safe job.
Then I paused and asked myself okay what do I need to be happy right now in this moment?
The answer: For my family and friends to be safe and healthy.
I realized then that I had everything I needed to be happy and at peace in that very moment.
If you have similar concerns as the ones I mentioned, know that they are very much valid. But you HAVE to believe that they will work themselves out eventually. You can’t let your fears/worries rob you of the present moment in which (when you think about it) you have everything you need to be happy.
