Romanticizing My Routine Changed My Life — Here’s How
By Trinity Barnette
Why I Romanticize My Life Now
Let’s be real: I didn’t always feel like the main character. For a long time, my days felt repetitive, overwhelming, or straight-up empty. I was stuck in survival mode — rushing, comparing, overthinking. But somewhere along the line, I realized that I didn’t need a new life. I needed a new lens.
Romanticizing my routine — from making my bed to filming content — has helped me reconnect with my body, slow down my anxious thoughts, and actually like the life I’m building. This isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s about finding beauty in the in-between.
1. I Stopped Waiting for a “Better Version” of Myself
I used to believe I couldn’t enjoy life until I looked a certain way, had a certain income, or hit my next goal. But I realized: if I don’t love the version of me who’s trying — who’s healing, working, sweating, building — then I’ll never truly be happy. So I started showing up for her. Lighting candles just because. Drinking my protein shake out of a wine glass. Wearing perfume to go nowhere. The version of me I was waiting on? She’s already here.
2. I Made Everyday Tasks Feel Sacred
Folding laundry with music playing. Putting on lip gloss before errands. Taking a minute to stretch in the mirror like I’m in a coming-of-age movie. These little moments started to feel like rituals — not chores. They anchor me. They remind me I deserve softness, even on the busiest days. It’s not about being aesthetic for the internet — it’s about treating yourself like you matter.
3. I Built a Routine Around Who I Want to Be
My routine isn’t perfect. I don’t wake up at 5am or do an 18-step skincare routine. But I do things that align with the woman I want to be:
I walk every day to clear my head
I journal when I feel anxious instead of spiraling
I film content because I believe in my brand
I rest without guilt because productivity doesn’t define my worth
That’s what romanticizing really is — deciding that your daily habits aren’t “just routines.” They’re acts of self-respect.
4. I Let Beauty Be Healing
Soft music in the background. Matching workout sets. A fresh cup of coffee. These things don’t fix me, but they soothe me. I spent years associating beauty with vanity — now I see it as therapy. A soft life isn’t a lazy life. It’s a powerful rebellion when the world wants you burnt out and bitter.
Final Thoughts: Life Isn’t Always Cute — But It’s Still Mine
Some days I still feel anxious, behind, or unmotivated. But I’ve built a world for myself that feels like home. And that’s the power of romanticizing your routine: you stop waiting for life to feel good. You start creating goodness in every corner you can.
