How to Romanticize Your Everyday Life and Feel More Present

“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.” ~ Abraham Maslow

This week did not arrive with fireworks or fanfare. It came quietly, as most meaningful weeks do.

As a therapist, I often remind my clients that a beautiful life is rarely dramatic. It is textured. Layered. Gently inhabited. It is built from moments that do not demand attention, but invite presence.

There were cozy corners with books resting open in warm lamplight. There were bowls of fresh fruit prepared slowly, eaten without rushing. There were small rituals like skincare applied with care, drawers organized, a mirror glance that felt like recognition rather than critique.

Some days carried a sense of glow… getting ready, tending to appearance, feeling aligned and put together. Other days asked for softness… staying in, exhaling, allowing life to unfold without force.

There was a little indulgence. A small purchase made without guilt. A reminder that pleasure does not require justification.

There were shared smiles. Long hugs. The kind of love that turns any space into sanctuary.

And woven through it all: growth. Gratitude. A quiet knowing that nothing is missing.

Romanticizing life is not about illusion, it is about attention. It is the art of relating to your own existence with tenderness.

Here are five calm and practical ways to begin:

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Why Self-Love Is the Key to Emotional Healing (With Affirmations and Valentine’s Day Practices)

In my work I sit at the meeting point of two truths: the mind heals through understanding, and the soul heals through love. When those two truths meet, something profound happens. Self-love stops being a fluffy concept and becomes a real, embodied medicine.

Self-love is not narcissism. It’s not bypassing pain or pretending everything is fine. True self-love is the brave, steady practice of turning toward yourself with honesty, warmth, and care…especially when you’re struggling. And yes, it heals. I’m living proof of how self love can heal even after major losses, major traumas, abuse, heart break, depression etc.

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The Light Within the Wound: 5 Rumi Quotes for Spiritual Growth

Rumi’s words have stirred something sacred and tender within us for centuries and still continue to do so. That deep longing to return to the truth of who we are. His poetry speaks not only to mystics but to every soul navigating the complexities of being human.

I began reading Rumi’s poetry when I was 12 years old, because my dad’s book case was full of Rumi, Gibran and many more. I still remember my dad asking me if I understood anything when he found me reading Rumi’s poetry. I promptly responded saying, “No dad, but its very calming to read. It feels like the waves feel at the beach.” He smiled and said, “You get it and you’ll keep getting it. Read on!”

I often find that Rumi’s wisdom bridges the gap between therapy and transcendence. His verses guide us through the very human processes of pain, transformation, and awakening.

Below are five of my most loved quotes by Rumi, explored through the lens of both psychology and spirituality, an invitation to see how these teachings can illuminate your path of inner growth as they have mine ❤

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