How to Romanticise Your Life on a Budget

It’s not just a trend, we promise.

We know that life can be full-on. Between studies, work, friends, family and everything else competing for your attention, it’s easy to think the only real solution is a holiday somewhere far away. But when packing up and escaping isn’t an option, what can you do instead?

Moving through schooling and the start of your career can feel like you’re constantly working toward the next thing, be it a good exam grade, job interview or promotion. But your life isn’t only about big events. Most of your life happens in between! So, it’s important to develop a habit of appreciating these mundane moments. This is where romanticising your life comes in.

What does it mean to romanticise your life?

If you’ve seen the videos on TikTok, we don’t blame you for thinking that romanticising your life is all about finding the perfect angle to photograph your morning matcha. However, romanticising your life isn’t a trend.

Romanticising your life means slowing down and appreciating small, everyday moments and finding joy in mundane routines. It involves developing little habits every day that turn ordinary days or boring tasks into moments of peace and happiness. The good thing? You can do this by spending no (or very little) money.

We’ve collected some easy-to-implement habits that don’t cost a fortune, so that you can start making small changes today.

Developing a morning routine.

One easy way to romanticise your life is to create a morning routine you look forward to. This makes it easier to wake up for work or school and  can increase your energy, productivity and positivity.

Firstly, go to bed a little earlier so you can wake up 30 minutes before you usually would. This half an hour should be filled with something you enjoy but don’t make time for in the morning, for e.g. a slow cup of coffee or a few pages of a book. It’ll help you feel refreshed and ready for the day.

Once you’ve gotten up and about, turn your morning routine into a meaningful ritual. This means intentionally doing things that you know will make you happy such as turning on your favourite music or lighting a nice candle.

There are many playlists on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube created for specific moments, such as getting ready, commuting, working, etc. Have a search for the perfect soundtrack to the moment!

When getting dressed, putting effort into your outfit can set the tone for the day. For example, picking items you usually save for a ‘special occasion’. This could be a favourite item of clothing, jewellery or shoes. There is a psychology behind why we are inclined to save things for a special occasion, but there are benefits to deciding to use those things now, such as increased fulfilment, and stimulating a mindset of gratitude and joy.

Even if you’re not going anywhere that day, wearing matching loungewear or your favourite hoodie and tracksuit set will make you feel more put together than the pyjamas you slept in. 

Developing a night routine.

When you’re back home from a long day at school or work, it’s time to unwind and set yourself up for the next day. Consciously picking a body wash with a nice scent can be super rewarding. Additionally, a soft, comfortable bathrobe or pyjama set can be super nice to have.

We recommend creating a ‘closing shift’ for your space. This may sound silly but can make daily chores such as tidying up and dishes much easier. Set aside half an hour where you pretend you’re ‘closing up’ your house or space for the day. Do whatever tidying you need to do, then dim the lights and settle in for a relaxing evening.

A nice addition to both routines is to spend some time before bed or when you wake up listing some things you’re grateful for.

Cleaning and curating your space.

Having a clean space, physically and mentally, is another way of romanticising your life and it can do wonders for your mental health. Clutter acts as visual noise, so when we tidy up, we make space for mental clarity and better concentration.

Aside from the basic cleaning we all know, updating your space by decluttering and rearranging things can bring a fresh, new vibe to a room, which can reduce stress, improve your mood and help you feel grounded. Another easy way to liven up your space is to buy yourself some flowers or open the windows for some fresh air.

Mentally, cleaning up can look like curating what you consume digitally. Do a social media refresh and reduce the content that doesn’t make you feel good. Turn your social media feed into something that is inspirational as opposed to being a hub for comparisons and negativity.

If you have the chance, challenging yourself to a complete social media detox is a great way to have a good reset. There are many challenges you can try in your own time! From a day to a week or even longer, choose what works for you and give it a go.

Having hobbies & time to yourself.

It can feel necessary to fill every spare moment you have with social plans, especially busy students who may be working on the side of their studies, and who want to see their equally busy friends. However, if you do find yourself with an arvo to spare, it can do wonders to give it to yourself. There are many benefits to spending time by yourself, including boosting your mood, helping regulate emotions and increasing creativity. Academic burnout is real, and setting some time apart can help you manage it.

In summary.

These are a couple of ways you can start romanticising your life. Remember, all you have to do is slow down and appreciate the moment for what it is.

The mundane moments of your day don’t have to be insignificant. They can become little pockets of happiness.