By Amelia Calvert

Romanticising life isn’t about ignoring reality but rather finding beauty in in the everyday.  

Clothes aren’t just fabric; they’re energy. When you dress in a way that reflects how you want to feel, you set the tone for your day. Even if you’re just popping out for milk, throw on that jacket that makes you feel unstoppable or those boots that make you walk taller. Fashion isn’t only about trends; it’s about self-expression. When you look like the version of yourself you aspire to be, you start living like them too. By feeling your best it creates a sense of belonging.

Music can change your whole mood. Create playlists that fit every scenario. These could be for cleaning your room, walking, or maybe even for those cry sessions in the shower we all have every once in a while. A playlist can change those blue and grey moments, bright and often easier to deal with. Or perhaps you’re quite content and need a playlist to match this cinematic experience. Suddenly, your walk to the bus stop feels like the opening scene of a movie, and folding laundry becomes a montage of self-care. Curate your life like a soundtrack, and be the star of your own life.

You don’t need company to enjoy life. Take yourself out for coffee, wander through a museum, or sit in the park with a book. Solo dates teach you to appreciate your own presence and remind you that your happiness isn’t dependent on others. It’s empowering to realize you can create joy for yourself anytime, anywhere. It’s important to love your hobbies and love your own interests, people feel as though they need company in order to satisfy the feeling of doing something that gives them joy. Perhaps not, perhaps we all just need an hour or two doing what we want, when we want to. Young people, I feel, are scared of doing things alone, yet we often see older people in the theatre on their own, in a café drinking coffee at a table for two, with often only one seat occupied. They are simply living, not letting a moment pass them by, simply sitting with their thoughts, maybe reminiscing. That’s courage.

Life isn’t just about big milestones; it’s about the tiny, ordinary moments. Pretend you’re the main character in a coming-of-age film while grocery shopping or doing laundry, will you bump into the love of your life around this next corner? Add a little drama to everyday. Remember how the wind blows through your hair, or how the sunlight touches and warms your face. When you start to view life in a romantic and full way you truly see how there is beauty everywhere. Remember to take that picture of the falling leaves with the autumn glowing sun. If you feel joy and happiness then seize the day. Capture the moment you stopped and were present in the moment.

Carpe diem.