When it comes to social media trends, one trend that has deeply resonated with me is the act of infusing romanticism into various aspects of life. Cheesy puns aside, this trend revolves around the notion of finding pleasure and joy in areas beyond just romantic relationships. It’s about leading a quieter life and deliberately creating an environment that brings you happiness, whether it involves cooking meals you savor, personalizing your space to reflect your identity, or regularly treating yourself to special experiences. This concept stands in stark contrast to the pervasive hustle culture that many of us have grown up with, and when I stumbled upon it, I was eager to explore.
Changing Your Perspective
If you’re like me and your job doesn’t make you jump out of bed with unbridled enthusiasm each morning, you’re not alone. Working to earn a living is often seen as a necessary chore, but it doesn’t have to be. When I decided to infuse elements of romanticism into my career, I began by shifting my perspective. I identified the aspects of my job that I genuinely enjoyed, such as writing and the creative process of strategizing and editing others’ work. I made a conscious choice to focus on these positive aspects, reminding myself of the privilege of being paid for doing something I loved. It may sound sentimental, but it significantly reduced the “Sunday scaries” and enhanced my day-to-day job satisfaction.
Creating an Inspiring Workspace
One of the most transformative changes I made to infuse more joy and intention into my work was to create a workspace that truly resonated with me. Often, we get caught up in the functional aspects of our offices and neglect to personalize them. In my quest to evoke the feeling of being the protagonist in a cozy fall romantic comedy, I revamped my home office. I added autumn-scented candles, hung aesthetically pleasing artwork from Etsy, lit a soothing diffuser, and swapped my clunky black office chair for a comfy beige one that still provided excellent back support. The impact was remarkable; working in a space that was visually pleasing and calming had a significant effect on my mood.
If you’re in a traditional office or have limited flexibility to alter your workspace, focus on the small details to enhance your day. Keep a soft sweater or blanket on hand for chilly moments, display cherished photos on your desk, and ensure your favorite pens and office supplies are readily available. Even changing your laptop background to something seasonal and inspiring can elevate your daily mood.
Mindful Breaks
Breaks during the workday often involve hastily consuming a granola bar while mindlessly scrolling through TikTok for ten minutes before diving back into tasks. This hardly qualifies as a slow, intentional, or romantic experience. To align with the concept of romanticizing my career, I decided to transform my approach to breaks. At the start of each day, I planned my breaks intentionally. Whether it was a phone-free walk, taking the time to brew and savor a special coffee, playing with my dogs, or catching up with a loved one over the phone, I ensured that these breaks provided genuine respite. Taking time to disconnect from work allowed me to return to my tasks feeling refreshed and less overwhelmed, fostering a sense of calm that persisted throughout the day.
Engaging All Your Senses
Engaging all the senses was a key aspect of romanticizing life that I discovered while researching. To incorporate this into my daily work routine, I devised a morning checklist to ensure I covered all sensory bases. I would fill the room with my favorite diffuser scents or light a fragrant candle for a pleasing smell. Opting for comfortable yet stylish clothing provided a delightful tactile experience, making work attire a source of pleasure rather than discomfort. Sound was integral, with soft folk or instrumental playlists creating a motivating ambiance. Taste was elevated with fruit-infused water, coffee, or tea. For visual appeal, I adorned my workspace with new art and an updated vision board that featured aspirational career goals, replacing the bland calendar that used to occupy the space. These small but deliberate changes significantly improved my daily work experience, reaffirming that my 9-5 could be more enjoyable with a touch of effort.
Establishing Personal Boundaries
Setting healthy boundaries, while not unique to the concept of romanticizing life, is crucial for making your workdays more enjoyable and less stressful. If you’re constantly accommodating others’ demands or undertaking tasks you’d rather avoid, you’ll quickly become resentful and burned out. In the context of your career, consider carefully whether you can take on additional tasks within your current workload or if you genuinely want to volunteer for that extracurricular project. Communicate with your colleagues about your ideal workday so they can be more understanding. In my case, I had a conversation with my manager, which allowed me to delegate less appealing projects and focus on the tasks I truly enjoyed. This not only helped me complete my work earlier but also gave me back my evenings, fostering happiness and relaxation.
Taking Your Time
Slowing down and being intentional lie at the heart of the romanticizing movement. This was something I was eager to incorporate into my daily work routine, especially given the constant stream of emails and never-ending Slack messages. Upon reflection, I realized how frequently I would immediately drop everything to respond to messages or attend a call without taking a moment to gather my thoughts. This frantic pace made me feel as though I never had enough time in the day and increased my stress levels with each notification. Implementing a rule to wait a bit before responding to messages or calls was transformative. It reduced my anxiety and allowed for more thoughtful responses. This doesn’t mean you should ignore everything or miss deadlines, but it underscores the importance of pausing and taking a moment before springing into action. Investing in a more tranquil and enjoyable workday can be as simple as introducing a brief moment of reflection; your peace at work is worth the pause.
In conclusion, the trend of romanticizing life and work has allowed me to infuse my career with pleasure and intentionality. By shifting my perspective, creating an inspiring workspace, taking mindful breaks, engaging my senses, setting boundaries, and allowing myself moments of reflection, I’ve discovered that even a 9-5 job can be a source of joy and relaxation. This shift in mindset has enhanced my overall well-being and brought more satisfaction to my daily work routine.
