Every journal entry I write ends with the phrase “I love life” with a small little heart drawn next to it in black ink. And I really do love life. However, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, I had moments where I thought it’d be easier if I was never born, so I wouldn’t have to deal with life’s wrath. So when did this switch happen?
To be honest, there was no recipe that flipped my perspective around. It happened gradually — not in some life-altering way, but in these small shifts that slowly started to stack up. Sure, there were big things I changed, like moving my body more, sleeping better and eating properly. I started to treat myself like someone I cared about. That definitely helped, and I know I’m not alone in this search for balance. Recent surveys show that many college and high school students today feel weighed down by stress, burnout and pressure to perform.
But the true shift was quieter. I started falling in love with the things I wouldn’t have thought twice about before. The way the breeze brushed my neck and made my hair dance a little. The way a song suddenly hit different because of what I was going through that week. How a warm latte felt in my hands on a cold morning on the bus. That little spark I got when my jewelry matched my vibe. How the lake’s currents sounded just a bit different depending on the time of day or the mood I was in. I didn’t realize it at the time, but now I know what it was: the art of romanticization.
Let’s break it down. The definition of romanticizing is to “deal with or describe in an idealized fashion.” In other words, it’s about finding the genuine beauty in things. Every situation, person and moment will have both positives and negatives. It is up to you to choose what you focus on. So why waste your energy dwelling over the worst parts when there’s so much more to look at?
But it’s not in the corny stereotypical way people always throw around in the media. It’s the act of paying attention on purpose and assigning meaning where others see none. This is how I relearned my life. How I made peace with stillness. How I started showing up for myself without needing a reason.
When you focus on the good, the good gets better. This isn’t just something I say, it’s something I live by. And, it’s true. Research in positive psychology indicates that fostering positive emotions and focusing on strengths can lead to improved mental well-being and life satisfaction. When one actively chooses to see the beauty instead of the flaws, they’ll see more beauty all around. I’ve seen this happen to myself.
It’s not just about “seeing” the good though. It’s about emphasizing it. Let’s go back to my example of the lake. The first thought might be, "wow, that’s pretty." But if you stay with it a little longer, more thoughts follow. The Earth is so intricate. I’m lucky to be here. I wonder how many generations of students sat here before me, thinking their own quiet thoughts. There are toddlers and elderly and everyone in between just existing around me. That spiral of reflection? That’s romanticization. That’s how you start to become a positive thinker. And eventually, a positive person.
You don’t have to buy into all of it. But if you let yourself lean into the small moments a little more or pause just a second longer, you might start seeing the shift too. It’s subtle, but powerful. That’s the thing about romanticization: it doesn’t change the world around you. It changes how you move through it.
Shreya Bhargava is a sophomore studying legal studies. Do you agree that emphasizing the good in life can make a person a more positive thinker? Send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com
