Romanticizing your life is starting to feel forced

Image from Creative Commons

Image from Creative Commons

“Romanticize your life” is a common phrase being thrown around and more so pushed on social media. I rarely go on social media, but occasionally I download Tik Tok and do a monthly scroll so to speak. This led me to being bombarded with people on my for you page encouraging  acts such as dancing in the rain, going on a walk by yourself, or doing artsy activities while listening to subpar classical music. I didn’t really have an issue with this notion until it started to feel forced and the opposite of what the concept is of romanticizing your life. These acts felt somewhat forced and the conversation around it felt slightly ingenuine. There are times when I’m out with friends and it seems as though we need these activities in order to romanticize our lives whether it’s playing the right sort of nostalgic music while driving and sticking our hands outside of the car to feel the breeze. These acts that once impulsive or natural now feel stiff in order to fulfill this notion that we are living our “best life”. This constant pressure to romanticize your life is leading not only myself, but those around me to feel inadequate with mundane living. 

Before writing this article I didn’t know the definition of romanticizing your life and it shocked me to find out that a lot of different articles state that it’s a mindset of finishing your goals and putting you in a position to appreciate what life has to offer. I’m not discouraging you to go out of your way to do more artsy activities or buy yourself a cup of coffee, but I don’t think it’s needed to romanticize your life. I think social media turned romanticizing your life from a practice of mindfulness, to that of activities or things you need to incorporate into your life in order for it to be better.  You can simply take time out of your day to be present and reflective without all the needed expenses. You can dream about achievements and goals without having to create mood boards or beautiful lists. Again, I’m not discouraging a Pinterest board, in fact sometimes they provide motivation for you in the moment, but it’s not necessary. 

I find that a lot of media and videos surrounding the idea of romanticizing your life are unrealistic financially for most people. Videos shot in beautiful homes and neighborhoods that don’t reflect many peoples living situations are hard to connect with. As a watcher you feel unsatisfied with your own life, which is exactly the opposite of romanticizing your life. Social media videos surrounding romanticizing your life are slowly affecting the way people live. I think being mindful of the fact and trying to not be so influenced by different lifestyles is important. Understanding everyone is able to appreciate their life without added activities to enhance it.