Hello, friends! I wrote this post about romanticizing your life as a SAHM a while back and it has been a popular post on here. I wanted to expand on that list and share ideas that work for everyone, parent or not. These are enjoyable for me to write because they also serve as reminders to myself. I love feeling like I am the main character or a book or movie, and the below helps to bring that vibe and energy into my day-to-day. You won’t find anything groundbreaking here, but again, just simple reminders and ways to practice mindfulness. Because truly, the art of romanticizing your life begins with being mindful of the little things.
1. Read a fantasy novel when you wake up. If fantasy is not your thing, this might not be the tip for you, but if you do, try to wake up a little earlier and sneak a chapter in first thing in the morning. I love nothing more than getting lost in another world for a bit before coming back to reality. It’s something that makes me happy and sets the tone for the rest of my day. Bonus points if you find a book soundtrack on YouTube to listen to while you read. For example, I looooove this ACOTAR inspired one. Surprise Surprise.
2. Wake up early and make a cup of tea or coffee by candlelight. On that same morning note, instead of using overhead lights first thing, light a candle or use whatever your favorite low-lighting is and enjoy a still moment with your favorite cup of coffee or tea. The ritual of making a warm beverage is therapeutic in and of itself – the gentle sound of pouring a beverage into your favorite mug, the warmth from the steam, the comforting smells. Open your senses to the experience and be mindful of it all.
3. Use airy curtains in your home and open the windows when the weather is fair. Watching them move with the breeze is so satisfying and everyone could use more fresh air.
4. Create mood playlists. I love to use Spotify to make my own playlists but even better, there are hundreds already created for a wide range of vibes. From morning classical to cottagecore instrumentals and beyond, there is something for everyone.
5. Listen to podcasts while you clean. Grow your mind while you get something as mundane as cleaning done.
6. Add twinkle lights to your shelves. An inexpensive thing but really makes a huge difference in the ambiance of your space. This is especially important to me during the dark winter months.
7. Avoid overhead lighting and create pockets of light around the room with candles/lamps/salt lamps/etc. Maybe it is the HSP in me, but overhead lights are the enemy. Hehe. The gentle glow in different areas of your home and rooms will be pleasant on the eyes.
8. Bake something to make the house smell good. Cookies, a loaf of bread, a cake, scones, muffins… Take your time with the recipe and don’t treat it like an extra thing on your to do list. Make it the main event of the moment and enjoy the process. Be awed by the art and science of mixing ingredients together and making something warm and delicious.
9. Make it a priority to get outside and breathe in every season. Each season has a familiar essence and smell. Each season has something beautiful to boast.
Spring: watching the world come back to life and in bloom, fresh cut flowers, breezy days, lilacs, rainy days, birdsong
Summer: basking in the heat, rays warming your skin, salty breeze from ocean, crickets, night sounds, sunsets, ripe and juicy fruit
Fall: relishing the colorful foliage, earthy smells, layering up, bonfires, autumnal baked treats, the art of letting go
Winter: breathing in crisp clean air, quietness, stillness, bare trees, freshly fallen snow, cozy fires and blankets
10. Journal your hobbies and things that make you happy as a reminder of who you are and what excites you. Write them down so you don’t forget them. Then, make time for those things instead of mindlessly scrolling during your spare time.
11. Every once in a while, elevate your at-home dinner plans. Dress the table up fancy with a tablecloth, candles, and twinkle lights. Add restaurant-type background music. For example, your favorite Indian curry and find relaxing Indian restaurant music on YouTube to play softly in the background.
12. Bask in the sun while your kids play outside. For those who have children, this really is a win for everyone. The kids are outside and getting out their energy while you get to reserve yours and enjoy the open air. Turn your face up towards the sun!
13. Find essential oil blends you love to make your home smell lovely and evoke your senses. I have a diffuser and often forget to use it, but whenever we do, we all enjoy how it transforms the vibe of the space.
14. Dress up even when you have nowhere to be. Sometimes, wearing a dress for no reason at all is enough to bring joy to your day. I do this a lot in the summertime.
15. Take a joyride while listening to nostalgic music. One of my favorite things to do when the weather warms up here is grab an iced coffee, turn on music that takes me back, and drive around pretty neighborhoods/back roads. I sometimes do this with the kids in tow, too.
16. Find an afternoon pick-me-up beverage. If you are like me and your energy is wearing thin by 2PM, having a go-to drink to lift your spirits is nice. In the summer, I love an iced mocha or smoothie. In the fall and winter, a hot cider or hot chocolate.
17. Sleep on linen sheets. A little investment, but you sleep on sheets every single night… so these are well worth it. When my partner and I switched over to linen, we absolutely never looked back. They soften over time and feel so luxurious.
18. Plant an herb garden and use them in your cooking. I like to channel my inner Ina Garten and grow my own herbs so I always have them on hand for recipes. I feel like I am a celebrity chef when I go over to clip them for use. Our favorites to grow are rosemary, basil, and chives. They are also very easy (I don’t have a green thumb so I appreciate this very much).
19. Plant flowers for all seasons so you always have a fresh cut for an indoor vase. I made it my mission to plant our favorite flowers right in our backyard (a few for each season) so that we always have fresh flowers to bring indoors. Even for winter, I choose limelight hydrangeas (which thrive in the summer/early fall here) and dry them out to keep on our table all season long. Any and all flowers add a bit of magic to any space.
20. Always carry a book or your kindle with you to read on the go or between appointments. This helps you break the habit of scrolling and it much more productive for your mind. You’ll be surprised just how much reading you get in and how many books you can tackle when you read just a few pages or chapter a day. And to me, honestly, reading is romantic in itself. Watching someone hold a book close is a beautiful sight.
21. Visit a local farmers market. Strolling a farmers market is a beautiful way to be a part of your local community, take in sights, and purchase food and flowers that were grown in your area. If you really want to play up the vibe, put on a breezy dress, straw hat, and bring along a camera to capture anything that speaks to you and makes you smile.
22. Add eucalyptus to your shower. Trader Joe’s often has bouquets of eucalyptus. Tie a string around it and hang in your shower for a subtle yet invigorating fragrance. It also looks beautiful.
23. Buy yourself a pajama set. I wore old sweats and band t-shirts for years and years. And yes, I still do sometimes because it is comfortable and budget-friendly! But, I have also recently invested in a couple pajama sets and I finally felt like a real live adult woman, y’all. It does something to your comfort and confidence.
24. Tea and chocolate at night. The combination of the warm tea and the dark chocolate melting on your tongue is sensational. This is one of my greatest pleasures in life. Yes, it is small. No, that doesn’t matter.
25. Style your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I know most meals are quick in modern times but if you have the luxury to plate your food beautifully and sit down and savor it, it makes such a difference in your experience. I know that isn’t realistic all the time, but every once in a while is still enough.
26. Take an interest in birds. Stop and really listen to birdsong. My favorite is waking up early and sitting on the back deck, listening to the dawn chorus. Just beautiful. You could also get a bird feeder for your window. It is another small thing, but it is *kinda exhilarating* when they land and you get a front row seat. Am I slowly becoming Snow White? Possibly.
27. Make pancakes on Sundays. Slow Sunday mornings are made for pancakes and a warm cuppa.
28. Watch the sunset from whenever you are. A lot of people go somewhere specific to watch the sunset and make an event of it. That is good and well, but you can be anywhere, really. I have a great view of it every night from my kitchen sliders and I never ever take it for granted. I always stop and admire the sheer beauty and miracle of it. It forces me to be still in that moment and count my blessings.
29. Use a wicker basket for laundry. I thrifted a wicker basket and it makes laundry feel just a teensy bit more fancy whenever I use it.
30. Listen to your favorite movie score. I love movie scores because they are often subtle enough to focus but yet they pack a big punch. Moving, emotional, intense at times, with great buildups… in a word, they are epic. Choose a soundtrack that fits your current situation. As you go about your task or day, it will make it feel like you are in the movie and yes, you are the star.
31. Make a reading corner. It could be a chair or couch or even your bed, but place everything you need next to it. I keep bookmarks, cozy blankets, fluffy pillows, a low-light lamp, and of course, a stack of books, within reach.
32. Surround yourself with scents that make you happy. I use coconut lotion/shampoo/conditioner a lot in the winter because it reminds me of warmer days and vacation.
33. Notice the way light filters in your home. Here’s a simple exercise in mindfulness: just notice the light and shadows, particularly in the early morning and evening.
34. Put on your most comfy slippers when you get home. My shoes are off immediately and fluffy slippers are on no matter what. Walking on clouds, friends. Walking on clouds.
35. Walk barefoot in the grass. And last but not least, speaking of walking… take a walk on grass when the opportunity present itself. You’ll feel like a child again. Maybe a little giddy, even.
Whatever you choose to do from this list, it’s so important to practice mindfulness and being in the moment. If you can focus on and appreciate even the mundane, you’ll only uplift your spirits and mindset. x
