it's actually romantic
5-4-3-2-1: romanticizing life, outfits, recent things, things I’m loving & a mood board
As per my buddy Merriam-Webster, the word whimsy means “a playful or fanciful quality or state,” and whimsical describes something that is “oddly or fancifully playful” or characterized by light, imaginative, or capricious charm.
Whenever I see posts about romanticizing life and making things more “whimsical,” I usually click, read, smile, and lol knowing I’ll probably never do such a thing. My life is anything but whimsical. It’s full of missed deadlines, forgetting my phone at the hair salon, and starting laundry but never finishing it.
Then I saw an Instagram post (before I deleted the app from my phone) and decided it was time to reconsider my deeply passé attitude.
The post referenced a study on PubMed, Being Creative Makes You Happier: The Positive Effect of Subjective Well-Being.
As a self-proclaimed data girlie, I loved geeking out over this one.
Considering the article took me about 20 solid minutes to read (with my actual prescription glasses on, I know you’re all proud) and a few snack breaks in between, here is the TLDR version:
1. People who are more creative tend to report higher overall well-being.
2. Creativity boosts more than mood. It supports overall life satisfaction.
3. Creativity isn’t just aesthetic or about being “whimsical.” It can improve how satisfied people feel with their lives. Whimsy life isn’t shallow or unnecessary. It can actually support emotional health.
4. Creativity can be intentionally practiced. It’s not just an inborn trait. The study found that even short bursts of creative engagement could influence well-being!
So if creativity matters for well-being, then romanticizing life isn’t just fluff! It’s creativity pointed inward. It’s choosing to make the mundane feel more magical. ✨
The creativity muscle is already inside us is being flexed in so many different ways.
Writing from the heart? Creativity.
Knitting or making something with your hands? Creativity.
Styling outfits on Indyx? Creativity.
Junk journaling? Creativity. (S/O Stephanie Johnson!)
Experimenting with cooking or baking? Creativity.
Graphics on Canva? Creativity.
iPhone level or expert level photography? Creativity.
So maybe it’s time to stop looking at small ways to “romanticize life” with an “ugh, I guess” eye-roll feeling. I can be a low-key hater of things, it’s true.
Instead, see it as an act of creativity, which we now know has so many life benefits.
I think it’s about being open-minded to joy and positivity, while also finding the fun creative niches that make you feel great.
What’s Inside: Here’s our gameplan for today - a 5-4-3-2-1 countdown, you know the drill!
✨5 ways to romanticize your day
👗4 outfits
💞3 things lately
😍2 things i tried & liked
🖼️1 march mood board
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In the spirit of T. Swift, life can be actually romantic. Here are five ways to romanticize your day that I personally cosign. Now that we know romanticizing daily life is an act of creativity let’s get after it!
1. COOK A MEAL ON YOUR “GOOD” PLATES. Even if the meal is “mid,” make it look aesthetically pleasing. I don’t have fancy plates, but I do have Corelle (IYKYK). Add a drizzle or a fruit accent to make it feel fun. Lately I’ve even been setting the table, which is a far cry from my usual paper plates-and-hope-for-the-best method.
2. LIGHT THE FANCY CANDLE. Yup, I said what I said. Yes, the one hiding in the cabinet. Go ahead and use it. This is the candle that pains me to burn.
3. TAKE A LUXURIOUS BATH. Hot water, Epsom salts, essential oils, maybe bubbles if you’re feeling wild. Put on an audiobook or a good Early 2000s Coffee Shop playlist and soak.
4. “UPGRADE” A SMALL DAILY RITUAL. Every day doesn’t have to be the same. Maybe it’s coffee in a cute mug, iced coffee instead of hot, fancy liquid sugar - the coffee shop kind in your travel cup, or coffee ice cubes if you want to be slightly extra.
5. WEAR SOMETHING “IMPRACTICAL.” A suede fringe jacket to a youth basketball game. Great lip gloss. A funky claw clip. A fun collar inspired by Danielle. A silk scarf. Or, as Jordyn Sharfe has us all hyperfixating, a good sparkle belt.
Now listen, sometimes life truly is a dumpster fire. I don’t think we can always just “romanticize ourselves” out of things. But on the days that you can, why not try?
For even more and arguably better ideas, check out hannah bay’s amazing pocket guide to romanticizing March!
LOOK 1
Who wears croc mules the day after it snows 20 inches? It’s meeee! After being off from work for 11 days I needed to ease in wearing my favorite comfy pants.
LOOK 2
A fringe skirt when my car read 28 degrees was pretty impractical but we’re romanticizing life, right? I was feeling western-vibes after having a blast collaborating on Katelyn Cnossen’s post! Added fun earrings and a silver necklace with my favorite western boots.
LOOK 3
Tina Boetto has inspired me to embrace brooches. I snagged this fox brooch not only because I dream of domesticating one someday but because it reminds me of the fox from my favorite book, Le Petit Prince.
Fun fact: our wedding vows came from this book!
LOOK 4
Another weekend, another youth basketball game, and a leather bomber. It was 51 degrees, basically summer, so I wanted a pop of spring with the scarf I shared last week!
1. WATCHING: WAYWARD - Just finished Wayward on Netflix. It was quite the experience. It blends cult-like mystery and drama. Nothing frustrates me more than an unresolved ending. This one left me with way too many questions. Creepy, binge-worthy, good acting, but UGH.
2. LISTENING: FEVER DREAM - I love Alex Warren and his entire backstory. I have been listening to this song on repeat since it dropped. YOU ARE VERY WELCOME.
3. EATING: BANANA OAT PANCAKES - Had a bunch of browning bananas that I decided could not be wasted. I made banana-oat pancakes on the 20+ inch snow day last week and they were highly rated by the fam.
1. COOKIE GRANOLA - Yes, I know, a few weeks ago I was beaming with pride about my homemade granola. But this past week the energy to do the most wasn’t there. I picked up this granola, and I’m convinced it should be illegal. It was that good.
2. RESCUE SPRAY - When I interviewed everyone’s favorite Substack dermatologist, Dr. Erin Santa (Derm Views), she shared that hypochlorous acid is a gentle, effective way to fight inflammation. In winter my skin tends to get dry and not-cute red, so I was excited to try this spray (gifted by Tower 28). I used it on red areas and an irritated pimple last week and definitely think it helped improve the situation.
Speaking of romanticizing life, might I interest you in a Monthly Mood board? Collect the visual and emotional inspiration living in your camera roll and make something. This is my favorite thing to do when I’m bored and doom scrolling. Hop onto Canva or Google Slides and create a mood board for the month.
🗨️Let’s Chat! How are you adding creativity or “whimsy” to your days lately?
As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read my work. Your kindness, comments, and support mean the world to me!
Let’s romanticize the shit out of this week!
This post came at the most perfect time because I am thinking of signing up for acting classes and this was the nudge I needed! Substack has been an incredible creative outlet BUT it can lead to over consumption on the internet (trying to find a balance).
I love you wrap fringe skirt and western boots, I DIE! It is so so good! Your posts are such a morning treat, lysm!
Thank you for the recap of that article, I needed a little reminder of the importance of creativity. I sometimes gaslight myself into thinking my SS is self indulgent and silly, and I should give it up. But it’s my main outlet for creativity and that’s important! I needed this reframe ❤️