You know these days the place you know precisely what it is advisable to do – go to the health club, prep your meals, do the laundry, reply the emails – however your mind simply says “nope, not gonna happen”?
Not since you don’t care about these issues. Not since you’re lazy. But as a result of all of it simply feels so … heavy. Overwhelming. Boring.
And, despite the fact that it’s the very first thing most of us attain for, the answer isn’t simply downing one other cup of espresso hoping for liquid self-discipline whereas whispering “no excuses” to your self.
The downside is that almost all of us try to perpetually pressure productiveness in an surroundings that doesn’t really feel secure, pleasurable, or regulated. So our brains insurgent. They throw up resistance roadblock after roadblock. Everything turns right into a combat together with your toddler mind. It sucks.
The Solution: Romanticize Your Life
For the final 12 months or so, I’ve been taking part in with a observe I name Romanticizing Your Life—and no, it’s not nearly aesthetic lattes, getting your nails accomplished weekly, touring to unique areas, or pretending your life is a Netflix Romcom.
Nah, it’s far more sensible and accessible than that.
It’s truly a good mix of straightforward sensory engagement, nervous system regulation, and mindset work that helps you get sh*t accomplished with better pleasure, ease, and intention.
Whether you’re a health lover, keep at house mother, or a high-achiever attempting to make your targets really feel lighter and extra sustainable, this easy observe will change the way you present as much as deal with all of the issues in your to-do listing.
Time to connect with your senses. 👂👁️👃👅🖐️
Here’s how you can do it:
SCENT: Anchor Yourself With a Signature Smell
Smell is without doubt one of the quickest methods to shift your emotional state. It bypasses logic and hits your limbic system—the a part of your mind tied to reminiscence, emotion, and temper.
- Light a candle earlier than you sit all the way down to journal or plan your week.
- Keep a grounding important oil (like lavender, eucalyptus, or sandalwood) at your desk or in your health club bag.
When you pair scent with a selected process, your mind begins to affiliate that scent with security, intention, and vitality. Your physique will really feel safer in its surroundings to get the duty accomplished.
SOUND: Create an Emotional Soundtrack
If you had been the star of your individual film (which you’re), what music can be taking part in throughout your coaching montage? Or your focus scene?
- Use binaural beats or instrumental music to ease into deep work mode.
- Try mild rain or forest sounds for sluggish, reflective duties like stretching or journaling.
- Pump up the jams with really feel good music for exercises.
BONUS TIP: Literally create a playlist known as “Romanticize Your Life”. I’ve one, and it’s on repeat every day. You may even create a distinct playlist for every process/temper. I’ve bought people music for work hours and gangsta rap for exercises. It’s known as VERSATILITY, okay?!
Music shifts your state. If you need to present up extra persistently? Give your mind a sound it desires to observe and boosts the vibe you need to really feel.
SIGHT: Curate the Scene
When your surroundings appears good, you really feel good — and if you really feel good, you get extra accomplished. Make your house extra inviting and welcoming.
- Open the blinds. Let pure mild flood in.
- Tidy up the house the place you’ll be working or transferring your physique.
- Use your favourite mug on your espresso.
- Keep your favourite stuffed animal/blanket/photograph close by and take a look at it intermittently and hook up with the enjoyment you’re feeling when taking a look at it.
Make your surroundings really feel stunning to you. When your house displays the vitality you need to convey, your nervous system softens. You cease resisting and also you begin leaning in. And you’ll be able to visually anchor to the issues that convey you pleasure in your house.
TOUCH: Regulate Through Texture
Physical sensations floor you within the current second. And the extra current you’re feeling, the much less possible you’re to disassociate or procrastinate.
- Use a fuzzy blanket whereas doing an annoying admin process.
- Sit on a yoga mat as an alternative of a stiff chair whereas working in your laptop computer.
- Put on a number of the heat, fresh-out-of-the-dryer garments when you need to fold the mountain of laundry.
Touch brings you into your physique — and a regulated physique is a targeted, succesful physique. Don’t underestimate how a lot a snug hoodie or fuzzy socks can change your day.
TASTE: Add Flavor to Your Focus
Taste is deeply tied to dopamine and reward — so give your self one thing scrumptious and intentional whilst you work.
- Sip a “main character beverage” whereas doing a process you’d usually dread—suppose lemon water in a wine glass, a greens drink in a mason jar, or protein espresso with fancy ice cubes and a pair swirls of caramel drizzle.
- Keep a properly-portioned bowl of wholesome snacks close by to gas whilst you work.
When your mind hyperlinks productiveness with tiny pleasures, it begins craving the method — not simply the end result.
Let’s Make Each Day a Little More Romantic
Your nervous system isn’t wired for punishment — it’s wired for security, pleasure, and rhythm. When you layer in sensory rituals, you give your mind a cause to really feel good whereas being productive. And when productiveness feels good? You’ll truly do the stuff you’ve been avoiding.
Romanticizing your life is about deliberately creating moments that really feel so rattling good, your mind stops resisting and begins participating. It’s about creating the protection and self-connection that your physique desperately craves. It’s a nervous system-friendly solution to convey presence, pleasure, and focus into your every day duties—particularly those that usually really feel like a chore.
What would your main-character-self put on, drink, and take heed to whereas getting shit accomplished?! – Alex