so much of our lives exists in the small moments—the ones that usually pass us by in the time spent waiting or rushing to the bigger ones. but what if we decided to actually live the life that exists in those moments? what if we gave them the same attention and intention as we do all the big, celebration worthy ones? to me, thats what elevating and romanticizing your everyday life is. it’s not about waiting for the big moments, or celebrating all the usual things extra, but rather making the week day, this payday, the full moon, anything, a special moment in your life.
i’m all about making my everyday life feel more elevated and magical. romanticizing my life isn’t just something i do from time to time, it’s ingrained so deeply into me and who i am. for today’s post i’m sharing a collection of ideas and ways to elevate your regular day to day life, because a well-lived life shouldn’t wait for the big moments—it happens on a random tuesday afternoon.
having personal traditions that aren’t associated with holidays is one of my favourite ways to bring whimsy and magic into my everyday life. these don’t need to be big, expensive traditions. in fact, it’s almost better if they’re small, little things, and moments recognized by just you. even a little weekly tradition. something that someday when you’re older and maybe have grandbabies, they’ll ask “why does grandma do ______ every thursday?” and the answer is just that you’ve been doing it every week for 30 years or whatever. how special!
personal tradition ideas:
fresh flowers every payday
apple crisp on the first cool saturday at the end of summer
one no guilt splurge item each in each weeks groceries — a good cheese, a nice bottle of wine, good chocolate, a magazine
a solo date on the first sunday of every month
a hot cocoa you make on the first snowfall
light candles on the darkest day of the year (winter solstice)
sunset walk on the longest day of the year (summer solstice)
celebrate your half birthday
light the same candle every sunday, and reserve it only for sundays
you know that moment when you discover a $20 bill in the pocket of a coat you haven’t worn in a while, and it feels like a little gift? re-create that energy on purpose. treat your future self, so you get to experience that whimsy and excitement more often.
stick $20 in the pocket of your winter coat when you tuck it away for the season so when it’s time to wear it again you have a cocoa or treat on past you
leave a welcome home note to yourself the morning before a long day out
set out your morning coffee mug and add-ins (except milk) the night before so you wake up and only need to click the button
buy new wool socks to tuck into your winter boots when you put them away for the year
round up every ‘responsibility’ purchase (groceries, bills) to the nearest dollar and save the extra change for a little treat
each birthday, write a letter for yourself to open on the next birthday
when you buy a new book that you wont read right away, tuck a little note inside with the details of the day you bought it so when you open the book you can revisit that day
buy two of a favourite seasonal candle and tuck one away for the following year. when you light it again the next year you’ll have all the memories of home the previous year associated with the smell.
birthdays don’t need to be big to be magical, and making them feel special just takes a little bit of effort. i can’t remember where i came across this idea, but i absolutely love it. dedicate each birthay and the new year of you ahead to one specific theme. for example, you could dedicate the next year to trying new things, or to saying yes, or to spirituality. anything you want can become a yearly theme.
birthday/ yearly theme ideas:
trying — a year of trying new things, new foods, going new places, putting in the effort
analogue — a year of focusing on analogue media, taking real pictures, writing
crafting — a year where you make as much as you can. homemade seasonal decor, gifts, crafts you’ve always wanted to try
learning — a year where you focus on learning, take a free course or two, make personal curriculums, etc.
saying yes — a year where you try to say yes to more, where you treat yourself, say yes to the spontaneous trip, to more plans
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.