The workday is simply not romantic. Usually. However, most of us spend 7 to 9 hours commuting to and being at… work. You don’t need me to tell you that work is a major part of your day.
If you’re lucky, you love your job! Or you even like your job. This post is still for you, because we can always make things even better right? But if you are struggling to get through the day more often than not, and don’t have a way out yet, there is so much to be said for romanticizing your day.
More specifically, you want to romanticize work. It’s a fact of life for the vast majority of us, that we will have to work in some capacity. But it absolutely does not have to be dreadful. There are a lot of minor tweaks you can make to enjoy the workday just a little bit more.
Let’s take a look at a few ways to romanticize the workday and the workplace.
1. Make a workday playlist.
If you’re able to have music on in the background, create a playlist you love! It can be your current favorite songs or just instrumental background music. I really love soft, delicate songs for my workday. Some of my current favorites are:
- Baby Steps by Olivia Dean
- just like magic by Ariana Grande
- Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All) by Lorde
- Silk Chiffon by MUNA, Phoebe Bridgers
- For Real This Time by Gracie Abrams
- Man I Need by Olivia Dean
- Wi$h Li$t by Taylor Swift
I’m big on theming my life, so I have different playlists for different seasons and different modes that I’m in. Work mode looks different for everyone, so make a playlist that is best for you! And I recommend keeping a mini bluetooth speaker at work.
2. Decorate your office or space in a way that you love.
This is arguably the most effective way to romanticize your workday. You are romanticizing your work space. Space is so important because it can directly impact your mood. Add some permanent fixtures to your desk or office such as mini lamps, pictures, plants, keyboard covers, and organization tools. One of my favorite items that adds joy to my everyday is my moon lamp. It was actually a gift from administration on National Librarian Day. Too cute.
These little things will make you happy every day. Have you ever gone into someone’s office and felt so cozy!? Or just loved how cute it was? This could be you!
It’s so worth it to decorate your desk or office because you use the space almost as much as you use your home. It should feel like a safe and cozy area for you. Try to get yourself organized as well. You’ll work better in a neat space where everything has its place.
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3. Keep a physical planner or calendar.
So analog! I know a lot of us keep digital calendars or agendas, but having a physical place to write down your to do list or your schedule is such a great way to romanticize your day and it slows you down a bit as well. And, you’re probably less likely to miss something this way.
Get yourself a pretty planner or just a notebook, whatever suits your role best. You can get a pretty pack of gel pens and switch up the colors for the seasons or your mood. It adds some whimsy to the day! And it’s so satisfying to physically check off or cross off items on your to-do list.
4. Have a special morning ritual once a week.
One day a week, treat yourself to a coffee or matcha run before work. It is a little something to look forward to on a particular day. When I had a job a few years ago that I didn’t care for, I stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts every Friday morning for a doughnut and a caramel iced coffee. It’s something I rarely indulge in so it felt like a huge treat every week.
It’s a fun way to mix up your morning routine without completely throwing off your morning routine or breaking the bank. If you’re not into stopping for a morning beverage, try allowing one morning of sleeping in a little later or stopping for an actual breakfast on your way to work. It should be just a little bit of indulgence!
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5. Get a diffuser or a candle (if allowed by your employer).
Okay so a candle at work might be a long shot, but if you can get a wallflower plug-in, you should! When you enter your office or work area, you’ll be enveloped with the scent of your choice, rather than the workplace smell.
Choose seasonal scents too! Something fresh for the summer, and something cozy and warm for the fall and winter.
Bath & Body Works has lots of wallflower plug ins with interchangeable scent bulbs. You could also get a diffuser with oil and reeds if that is more your vibe!
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6. Leave the workplace for lunch.
If you didn’t know, I work in education. I don’t technically have an allocated lunch break. Luckily, I do love my job. I’ve worked a few other jobs before, and when I did in fact get a lunch break, I almost always left the premises.
During your lunch, go for a walk, a drive, or just eat lunch outside if it’s warm. Your lunch break is a wonderful reminder that there is a world going on outside of your workplace. Getting sunshine is a bonus, if you can.
On cold or rainy days, at least leave your desk. Head to a communal area where you can interact with people you might not normally see. Enjoy the change in scenery too!
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the stress of work, but remembering how big the world is and that life doesn’t stop when the workday starts, can be a major help in easing anxiety.
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7. Slow down.
Take it slower. Sometimes, work is overwhelming (sorry I know). We start with a list of tasks and it grows and and grows before we have time to check off any of the original items.
What doesn’t help is trying to multi task. Trust me, it’s impossible. When your list starts to grow, and the phone is ringing, and your coworker won’t stop talking, take a deep breath and pause. Focus on one item on your list. Put all of your focus onto it.
Do one thing at a time, and make sure you do it correctly with all of your attention. Not only will this ensure the task is properly completed, but it is so much better for your brain and nervous system to be present with the task at hand.
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8. Wear outfits you feel good in.
Unless you wear a uniform, there is no reason to wear boring clothes that you feel trapped in. Even if your workplace is business professional, you can have fun with this! And it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.
If you don’t know where to start, explore Pinterest and start a board with outfit ideas. See what kinds of outfits you can put together with items you already own. As the saying goes: look good, feel good. While looks aren’t everything (not even close), you do feel better when you’ve put a little effort into looking nice for the day. It shows that you respect yourself and the work that you do each day.
Plus, it gets fun once you get better at choosing outfits!
9. Celebrate and track every win, however small.
A win is a win, no matter how small. Keep a running list of wins you have at work! The list can be on a piece of paper, your notes app, or you can text it to yourself. Try to think of the tiniest successes or glimmers in your day.
Maybe your grumpy cubicle mate smiled at you today. Or maybe you helped someone in a major way even though it is outside of your scope of responsibility. Or MAYBE it was a huge win, like a presentation that was well received or the promise of a promotion. Don’t forget the big wins, of course.
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And a bonus tip: always remember that your work does not define you as a human. You work to make an income to live your life! Unless you’re obsessed with your job, you work to live, not the other way around.
It’s almost never that deep when you’re feeling stressed at work. Try to remember the big picture, and that you are at work to do your best, then leave. There is so much more to life and to you.
The tips above are little ways to make the best of your work day. Start by implementing just one or two and notice the impact it has on your mood and your day. When we start to romanticize the little things, the big picture gets better and better <3
