The Art of Noticing: How Romanticizing the Small Moments Changed My Life

“Everyone chases after happiness, not knowing that happiness is right at their heel” – Bertolt Brecht. 

 I used to believe that happiness lived only in the big, sparkly milestones, the impressive accomplishments, and the awe-striking moments you’d post about on social media. But I’ve grown to learn that real happiness can come from wherever, whenever. Happiness often unfolds in the quietest of spaces, whether it be the warmth of your favourite mug in your hands, or the gentle sunlight that hits your desk during those hectic afternoons. It wasn’t until I began practicing the art of noticing that I realized how much joy I’d been overlooking.  

Are you struggling to balance social pressures, academic stress, and familial expectations, only to feel utterly drained and hampered by constant burnout? I’ve been there too, trust me. Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, like I’ve been stuck in a never-ending loop. Surprisingly, the solution lies not in the traditional methods of chasing achievement or forcing productivity but in seeing the beauty beneath the surface, or romanticizing.

By consciously choosing to view ordinary moments as extraordinary, I shifted my perspective and found motivation and resilience where I least expected them to be.  

So, what does the term “romanticizing” really mean? 

Romanticizing is to intentionally view every experience, including the mundane ones, through a lens of beauty, purpose, and possibility. It’s essentially about enjoying the little slices of your life, the small and simple moments in which you find joy. Romanticizing your life enables you to be fully present, appreciating and taking in all that surrounds you. 

 How does romanticizing work?  

Romanticizing your life isn’t about ignoring reality or forcing yourself to feel happy when you aren’t. It’s a deliberate mindset shift, known as cognitive reframing, where you choose to look at situations from a different, more constructive perspective. Cognitive reframing taps into the way you perceive situations, based on the idea that our thoughts, ideas, and feelings are interconnected. At the end of the day, it all comes down to perspective. Say you have a long, dreaded homework assignment waiting for you. Rather than viewing it as something you must endure, reframe it as an opportunity you get to embrace. Education is something that countless people are denied around the world, and the very fact that you’re able to access it is a privilege. Now, you’ll notice something: the task hasn’t changed, but your lens has. This seemingly simple shift can change the way you go about life. It can transform resentment into gratitude. 

What does romanticizing your life do? 

Romanticizing life is far more than an aesthetic on the internet. It has a real impact on mental health, and it directly connects to mindfulness: the practice of living in the present and being aware of your surroundings. Studies have consistently shown that heightened awareness can reduce stress, anxiety, and ultimately improve well-being. When I began noticing the micro-moments in life, like the laughter than filled the hallways, watching movies on rainy days, and the mellow colours that fill the sky in the evening, I felt my stress begin to loosen its grip.  

For students especially, this shift is crucial. Oftentimes we’re so wrapped up in the constant cycle of looming deadlines, grades, and expectations, there’s very little room to pause.

By romanticizing the little moments, we step outside of that cycle of stress and deadlines, reminding us that there’s more to life than the next due date.

Furthermore, when you start seeing value in the little moments in life, gratitude is naturally cultivated. 

Gratitude is another fundamental concept of mental health that promotes optimism and maintains positive mental health. When gratitude, mindfulness, and romanticism work together, the world feels less like a treadmill and more like a scenic walk you want to take. You stop living for the “someday” and start cherishing the “now.” 

Wait, so how do I romanticize my life? 

 To truly romanticize your life, you must create harmony between your external surroundings and internal thoughts. Begin by focusing on your physical environment, whether that means redesigning your study space, cleaning out your room, or having a café date with yourself. Take deliberate steps to create an environment that invites calm, focus, and joy into your life.  By thoughtfully curating your surroundings, you’re reinforcing the main idea of romanticizing, finding beauty in aspects of your life.  

However, what’s equally important is cultivating your mental environment: training your mind to find beauty in every situation. For example, suppose there’s a pile of dishes that need to be cleaned. Instead of prolonging the task, put on your headphones and listen to a podcast while doing them. 

To summarize these insights, romanticizing is more than just a superficial escape; it’s an act of empowerment that reframes your perception, enabling you to find depth, gratitude, and purpose in every moment of your life. Ultimately, the way you see life shapes your reality. When approaching situations with love, any moment can become beautiful. So, embrace the art of noticing and romanticize the small moments in between the large, exciting ones. Happiness doesn’t have to be a distant goal; like Bertolt Brecht once stated, it might just be under your heel.