The Art and Joy of Romanticizing Your Life

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Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

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Everyone talks about the freedom and perks of retirement being akin to a permanent vacation. But what often isn’t discussed is how the day-to-day can also mentally wear on seniors, especially if you live alone, have physical limitations or budget your activities on a fixed income. What happens on days when you have nowhere to be and nothing “important” to do?

Enter the concept of “Romanticizing Your Life.” This new way of practicing gratitude went viral online during the COVID-19 pandemic when most people were cooped up in their homes. It’s a practice that encourages you to find joy in even the most rote daily tasks, like cooking a healthy meal or folding the laundry.

The idea is generally that, by zooming into the details of your life and savoring the beauty of small moments, you may end up infusing more self-awareness and gratefulness into every day, rather than just going through the motions while waiting for the next big thing to come along.

Romanticizing your life is one of many ways to practice self-care, as well as mindfulness, a cognitive skill that some research suggests may potentially reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and irritability.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Make Your Mornings Special

The best time to start romanticizing your life is as soon as the day begins. Dress up your morning beverage with an aromatic spice you love, and savor it from your favorite mug. Or consider trying some stretches that energize your body, and concentrate on feeling the awakening sensation of each muscle. If you’re an early riser, perhaps you can watch the sun come up while you journal or read poetry. Ask yourself how you can make this quiet time of day special for you.

Turn a Regular Meal Into a Picnic

Brunch outside? Why not! Whether you’re dining with a significant other, with friends or alone, any meal can become an experience in nature if you pack it up and take it outdoors. Relive the nostalgia of school days with a sack lunch in the park, or class things up with a stylish French picnic.

Curate Playlists for Mundane Activities

Make playlists that help put you in a fun and imaginative mindset for every part of your to-do list. Dance around to classic rock ’n’ roll while you mop and fold laundry. Watch the clouds with a symphony of classical music in your headphones on your afternoon walk. Light candles and play Italian music while you make pasta for dinner. Whatever your favorite vibes are, tap into them with music to help you enjoy everyday tasks.

Give Your Space New Energy

Sometimes, just rearranging your space can give you a brand-new appreciation for it. Try a different furniture layout, revive some unused items that have been hiding in storage, and light a few candles for ambiance and aromatherapy. You’ll be amazed at how different your space can feel in just a few steps without buying anything new.

Dress Up, Just Because

Even if you don’t have somewhere to be, the act of getting dressed in something other than your lounge clothes can, according to some psychologists, have a significant impact on your mood and motivation. Romanticize your wardrobe by thinking of how you’d like to feel that day and dressing in an outfit inspired by that feeling.

Embrace Each Day

Your golden years can be rich with opportunities to adopt the practice of romanticizing your life! The Brookdale blog offers additional inspiration and tips for things like writing a memoir, transitioning to gray hair, traveling alone and so much more.