So I was watching this girl on TikTok literally romanticize buying groceries, and something clicked.

Like, she made picking out vegetables look like a scene from a Nancy Meyers movie. And I thought - wait, why don't I feel like that about my life?

Turns out, I'd been living on autopilot for months. Wake up, work, scroll, sleep, repeat. Zero magic. Zero main character energy.

Here's what changed everything.

The Morning Moment That Started It All

I used to roll out of bed five minutes before my first meeting. Hair in a bun, same hoodie, coffee in a chipped mug while staring at my laptop.

Thrilling stuff.

Then I started doing this thing where I actually... enjoyed my morning? Wild concept, I know.

Now I light a candle. Make my coffee in my favorite mug (the pretty one I was "saving"). Open the curtains like I'm revealing something magical. Put on an outfit that makes me feel like I have somewhere important to be - even if I'm just going to my couch.

It sounds so simple, but it completely shifted my energy. I even started following some celebrity morning routine ideas just for inspiration, and honestly? Some of them actually work.

The trick is treating yourself like you matter.

Because you do.

Turning Boring Tasks Into Aesthetic Moments

Okay, real talk - I used to hate doing dishes. Like, genuinely despised it.

Now? I put on a playlist that makes me feel like I'm in a coming-of-age film. Light another candle (I'm obsessed, sue me). Sometimes I pour myself a glass of wine and pretend I'm the mysterious love interest in a European drama.

Is it dramatic? Absolutely.

Does it work? Also yes.

Same thing with grocery shopping. I make a list on cute paper. Dress like I might run into someone I know (even though I definitely won't). Take my time in the produce section like I'm selecting ingredients for something life-changing.

The groceries taste the same, but somehow everything feels more intentional.

Small Shifts That Feel Big

These little changes don't cost anything, but they make such a difference:

• Using your nice things instead of saving them for "special occasions" that never come
• Playing music that matches the vibe you want to feel, not just whatever's on shuffle
• Actually sitting down to eat instead of hovering over the sink
• Sending yourself flowers (yes, really - nobody needs to know)

It's giving self-respect. It's giving main character energy.

The Art of Romanticizing Your Commute

Even if you're just walking to your car or taking the subway, you can make it cinematic.

I created this whole thing where I pretend I'm in the opening credits of a show about my life. What song would be playing? What would the camera focus on?

Sounds unhinged, I know.

But it makes me notice things. The way the light hits the buildings. That cute dog I always see. The coffee shop I've walked past a hundred times but never actually went into.

Last week I finally went in. Met the owner. Now I'm a regular.

Plot twist: romanticizing your life actually makes it more interesting.

Friendship Moments Worth Celebrating

I started treating hangouts with friends like actual events instead of just "grabbing drinks real quick."

Not in a high-maintenance way - more like... intentional?

I'll suggest we try that new restaurant instead of going to the same place. Wear something that makes me feel good. Actually put my phone away and be present.

And honestly, learning better ways to nurture adult friendships has made such a difference. We're all busy, but making time feel special matters.

The conversations got deeper. The memories got better. Everything felt less rushed.

Turns out, treating your friendships like they're important makes them more important.

Who knew.

Creating Your Own Cozy Evenings

This is where I really went full main character mode.

Instead of just collapsing on the couch and scrolling until my eyes hurt, I started creating actual evening rituals. Lighting specific candles (yes, more candles). Making tea in a real cup, not a mug with a motivational quote from 2019.

Sometimes I'll do a face mask. Put on a vintage record. Read an actual book instead of doomscrolling.

I even got into trying those viral recipe trends - some are hits, some are definitely misses, but it's fun either way.

The goal isn't perfection. It's presence.

Evening Vibes That Work

Here's my current rotation:

• Sunday reset nights where I actually clean and organize while listening to podcasts
• Wednesday "treat yourself" evenings with takeout from somewhere new
• Friday wind-down with a bath, candles, and whatever show I'm currently obsessed with

Nothing groundbreaking. Just... intentional.

The Social Media Balance

Okay, so I definitely fell into the trap of trying to document everything for the aesthetic.

Making my coffee? Better film it.

Nice lighting in my apartment? Time for a photo.

Reading a book? Gotta get that shot of my hand holding it with my rings visible.

Exhausting.

Now I follow some basic social media guidelines that help me stay authentic. I'll take photos of moments I genuinely want to remember, but I'm not performing my life for an audience anymore.

The best moments don't need to be posted.

Sometimes they're just for you.

Dating Yourself (No, Really)

This sounds so cringe, but hear me out.

I started taking myself on actual dates. Solo museum trips. Dinner at the bar of that fancy restaurant. Matinee movies on a Tuesday.

At first it felt weird. Like everyone was staring at me (they weren't). Like I should be embarrassed (I shouldn't).

But then it became my favorite thing.

No compromising on what to do. No waiting for someone else to be available. Just me, enjoying my own company, treating myself like someone worth spending time with.

Revolutionary? Maybe not.

Life-changing? Absolutely.

The Reality Check Nobody Talks About

Here's the thing though - some days still suck.

Some mornings I don't want to light a candle or make my bed or pretend I'm in a movie. Some days I'm just tired and grumpy and nothing feels magical.

And that's fine.

Romanticizing your life isn't about toxic positivity or pretending everything is perfect. It's about finding small moments of beauty and intention when you can.

It's about treating yourself with the same care you'd treat someone you love.

Some days that looks like a full morning routine and a cute outfit. Other days it looks like ordering pizza and watching trashy TV in your oldest sweats.

Both can be main character energy if you own it.

Making It Actually Sustainable

The key is not turning this into another thing you're failing at.

I used to make these elaborate plans - wake up at 5am, journal for an hour, do yoga, make a elaborate breakfast, have a full skincare routine...

Yeah, that lasted exactly one day.

Now I just pick one or two small things that genuinely make me feel good. Maybe it's just lighting that candle. Or playing good music. Or actually using a plate instead of eating over the sink.

Start small. Build slowly. Don't Instagram your way into burnout.

My Actual Daily Non-Negotiables

These are the only things I do every single day:

• Make my bed (takes 30 seconds, makes the whole room feel better)
• Use my nice mug for coffee (why was I saving it??)
• Put on real clothes, even if I'm staying home

That's it. Everything else is bonus.

When It Actually Clicks

You'll know you're doing it right when you stop performing and start genuinely enjoying things.

When you light that candle because you want to, not because it'll look good in a photo.

When you dress up for yourself, not for potential Instagram content.

When you start noticing the small beautiful things without trying to capture them.

That's when it becomes real.

That's when you're actually living like a main character - not just pretending to.

The Plot Twist

Here's what nobody tells you about romanticizing your life:

It doesn't actually change your life.

You're still doing the same things. Going to the same places. Living in the same apartment.

But somehow everything feels different.

Because you're different. You're present. You're intentional. You're treating yourself like someone worth celebrating.

And honestly? That changes everything.

So yeah. Light the candle. Use the nice dishes. Wear the outfit. Play the music. Take the long way home.

Your life is happening right now.

Might as well make it feel like something worth living.