If you’re starting to feel some summertime blues or just looking to make the rest of summer feel a little more magical try romanticizing your life a little more. Romanticizing your life asks us to appreciate what we have right in front of us and to live with intention. It’s a reminder to look for moments of beauty in our everyday lives and embrace minimalism. You can’t always be on vacation or buy something exciting and new. Sometimes just a simple change in mindset can make even the most mundane days feel unique.
Here’s some small ways to romanticize your life this summer.
Host a Dinner Party
Try romanticizing your life by hosting a dinner party. Granted they can be a lot of work but chatting, laughing, drinking with friends and loved ones really is the spice of life. Sometimes you just need a good laugh or cry with friends to remind yourself that life is worth living for moments like this.
If you’re new to hosting here’s some great tablescape and hosting finds.
Table runner | Glasses | Candle Sticks| Serving dish | Tortoise glassware
Try Gardening
Watching the flowers and vegetables that you tended to bloom and thrive can be super rewarding. Plus gardening gets you outside, helps you eat more nutritiously and you can gather fresh flowers, fruit and produce from your garden that you can use for meals, cocktails or floral arrangements,etc. I recently started growing mint, which is incredibly easy to grow I’ve found, and have been using it to make fresh mojitos all summer.
Here’s a link to masterclass on gardening that I plan on taking.
Be By Water
Try romanticizing your life by spending some time near water. Weather it’s the ocean, a lake, river, waterfall, or stream. Did you know just being close to water can impact your physical and mental wellbeing? Studies show being close to water can improve your mood and decrease stress. So find a place near water where you can relax, meditate, read, swim, walk this summer and see how it improves your mood.
If you’re still for the perfect swimsuit for this summer check out my post on the 10 best summer swimsuits for 2023.
Play an Outdoor Sport
Have fun and get some exercise playing a sport. I recently learned to play pickleball and am obsessed. It’s a great workout and fun way to break up the monotony and romanticize your life. I would describe it as a less skilled type of tennis. Just buy a paddle and some balls and find some courts near you. I’ve found there’s a great community around pickleball and lots of people willing to explain the rules and partner up for a match.
Plus, there’s lots of cute and sporty outfits you can wear to play.
Here’s some sportswear I’m eyeing currently. Perfect for the pickleball courts:
Red and white tennis dress | Red and white tennis skirt | Black and white tennis dress | Tennis skirt
Here’s a link to web page with more info on pickleball to help you get started and learn some of the rules.
Try a New Recipe with Seasonal Produce
I like to make this a special ritual for myself once a week. I start by researching my recipe, grabbing the ingredients at the farmers market, find a wine pairing, have my summer playlist going, light a candle and make it a romantic and novel experience for the week.
If you’re not sure where to find seasonal recipes check out Ina Garten. She always has great seasonal recipes that delicious and not overly complicated.
Or check out Alison Roman’s home movies linked below. She’s got a ton of grilled foods, pasta salads and dessert recipes perfect for summer.
Here’s a grilled corn salad recipe I’m looking forward to trying.
Spend the day in the park
Explore a new park, find some shade, grab a blanket and a new book and you’re bound to have a great time. If you haven’t noticed the theme is really just to spend some time outside, breath fresh air, feel the sun on your skin, be around/near others and enjoy simple but wonderful moments.
Here’s some of the books I’ve read and some that I’m starting soon
The people you meet on vacation
This was a fun, easy read. There’s romance, vacations, friendship, love. It reminded me a lot of when Harry Met Sally so if you’re looking for something like that I think this book is great.
The Shift
I’m a huge fan of Tinx. I’ve heard her refer to herself as the internet’s big sister and it’s totally true. She’s like the wise older sister giving you the life advice you need to hear in a very relatable way. This book is supposed to be about shifting your perspective and viewing various situations in your life with a different lens that makes you look at life like it’s happening for you, not at you.
Atomic Habits
I’ve been meaning to read this one for awhile. You’ve probably already heard of it but it’s all about how to change your habits and how to get better through consistency. If you’ve ever set a goal for yourself but burn out on quickly I’ve heard this is the book you read to finally start and finish your goals. I’m really looking forward to reading it.
How else can you romanticize your life this summer? Let me know in the comments.