The notion of "Romanticize your life" has been widely circulated as a call to appreciate life's small pleasures. However, in our modern age, this sentiment has lost its way, overshadowed by a fixation on superficial imagery and social media validation. To truly embrace the essence of living fully, we must detach from these distractions and rediscover the true meaning of cherishing life's moments.

Girl with yellow nails, eating a peach. She also has green jade earrings and is wearing a sparkling ring to show off on Instagram

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Watching Concerts From Behind a Screen

While attending a 6LACK concert in the fall of 2023, it served as a stark reminder of the detrimental impact of social media. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been aware of its influence. It just wasn't until this moment that its reality hit me like a ton of bricks.

I've been a die-hard fan of 6LACK since discovering his FREE 6LACK album during my second year of university. His music became the soundtrack to my late-night study sessions, so the prospect of seeing him perform live filled me with unparalleled excitement. I. Knew. Every. Song.

6LACK concert at the History Club in Toronto, Canada. — *6LACK Concert at the History Club in Toronto*

As I eagerly waited for him to take the stage, I expected to see some people capturing moments on their phones – if you didn't take a picture did it even happen?? I was ready for that. But what I witnessed was more disheartening.

A girl in front of me seemed utterly transfixed by her phone, barely acknowledging the performance unfolding before her. Her evening was a mindless cycle of Instagram scrolling, selfie-taking, and sporadic attempts to record snippets of 6LACK's set. Once again, she was watching concerts behind a screen.

I couldn't help but reflect on my own past behaviour. Like many, I had also fallen into the trap of creating social media posts and chasing after fleeting experiences solely for the sake of an impressive online presence.

Glimmer Moments

Let's dive into the essence of romanticizing your life. It's not about looks; it's about feelings.

The term "romance" centres around love, highlighting the significance of embracing love and genuinely appreciating your life. It's worth noting that these idyllic moments aren't constant for most people; they come in fleeting glimpses.

"Glimmer moments" occur when something inside you resonates with the beauty of life. Whether it's gazing at a loved one or witnessing the golden hour sunlight, it's a time when all distractions fade, and you're fully present in the moment.

To intentionally create more of those moments of love is the essence of romanticizing life. But how do we achieve it?

How to Romanticize Your Life

Just like any other habit, cultivating gratitude for life's little joys requires a conscious effort. According to James Clear in his book The Atomic Habits, making new habits appealing is essential for them to stick.

In a way, making things look aesthetically pleasing isn't entirely off base. Let's say you want to cultivate gratitude for your meals. It could start in your kitchen, perhaps by playing your favourite music while you cook or elevating the presentation of your food before you eat. However, doing these things solely for the sake of a cute Instagram picture misses the point entirely.

When you genuinely enjoy the music or appreciate the beauty of your meal, you allow yourself to feel the love and gratitude in that moment. As a result, associating gratitude (and potentially more of those glimmer moments) with homemade meals.

You can do this for anything in life. Here are examples:

Putting on certain movies/shows to embrace the following season.
Listen to movie soundtracks while you work.
Level up your bubble bath with soothing music and candles.
Cook a homemade meal from scratch, experimenting with new recipes and flavours. Play your favourite music to make it more fun!
Treat yourself to a solo date at a café, enjoying a cup of coffee and people-watching.

Do Things for Fun, Not Instagram.

As someone who’s currently on a social media cleanse, I could go on forever about its benefits in this episode. My dopamine levels are more balanced now, I'm pouring my energy into my passion projects, and I'm finding more fulfillment in life beyond the screen.

Remember, don't go out of your way just for that perfect Instagram shot. Have fun, share laughs, and embrace love in what you do. If a beautiful picture happens, then great, but don't let it overshadow the true essence of your actions. Keep that in mind.

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Photo Bianca Venchiarutti, the writer of The Twenties Detox

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