Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I tend to daydream a lot. Growing up, I was obsessed with Disney movies and princess movies. I used to watch them like my life depended on it, always fascinated by the rare chance, the one percent possibility, the idea that something magical could happen when nobody expected it. Looking back, I think that’s what made me who I am today. I’ve always been someone who dreams a little too big, hopes a little too hard, and believes things might work out even when the odds say otherwise. I know that’s not always encouraged. Society tends to value being realistic, setting attainable goals, and keeping expectations in check. Those things are important, but I’ve never been very good at looking at life through such a practical lens.
The other day I was supposed to be studying at a café. I walked in with my tote bag stuffed with my laptop, iPad, and the same journal I somehow bring everywhere. I found a seat by the window, put my noise-cancelling AirPods in, and started playing my favorite Khalid songs. The sun was coming through the windows just enough to make the whole place feel warm. I opened my laptop, stared at my screen for a few minutes, and before I knew it thirty minutes had passed.
Instead of studying, I found myself getting distracted by everything around me. The sunlight hitting the tables, the steam rising from people’s coffee cups, strangers walking in and out having conversations I’ll never hear again. I started wondering where everyone was headed and what their lives looked like outside of that little café. Sometimes I feel like I notice everything. The smell of coffee, the way sunlight comes through a window, the excitement of being at an airport before sunrise, the feeling of sitting on a train watching the world pass by. There is just so much to admire if you actually stop long enough to look. Somewhere along the way I realized I have a habit of romanticizing everything.
The thing is, I don’t think I romanticize life because I think it’s perfect. If anything, it’s the opposite. As an overthinker, my brain is always looking ahead. I’m constantly thinking about future plans, replaying conversations, organizing the next step, and worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet. There is always something to solve, something to improve, or something to figure out. If I’m not intentionally paying attention to the good parts of life, my brain naturally starts focusing on the problems. Romanticizing things slows me down. It pulls me back into the present instead of constantly living in the future.
My favorite moments to romanticize are usually the simplest ones. Early morning drives to the airport when it’s still dark outside and the trip hasn’t officially started yet. Looking out the airplane window during takeoff while your favorite song plays through your headphones. Sitting in a coffee shop with nowhere to be. Long train rides where you stare out the window wondering about everyone’s lives. Watching the sunset after a long day and feeling everything become a little quieter. Group trips when everyone is laughing and nobody is thinking about work or responsibilities. Even random Tuesdays. Getting groceries, walking to class, grabbing coffee. There are small moments hidden inside every ordinary day that feel worth appreciating if you pay attention. I’ve come to learn that life isn’t perfect and I don’t think romanticizing it means pretending that it is. Stress still exists. Bad days still happen. Uncertainty is still there. But I’ve realized that two things can be true at once. Life can be difficult and still be beautiful. Romanticizing my life isn’t pretending everything is beautiful. It’s choosing not to overlook what already is.
The older I get, the more I realize that most of my favorite memories aren’t milestones. They’re coffee runs, airport gates, long walks, random conversations, and ordinary days that didn’t seem important at the time. Happiness is usually much quieter than we expect it to be. One day I’ll probably miss all of these things. The trips, the friendships, the coffee shops, the freedom to get up and go somewhere new. So while I can, I’m going to keep romanticizing everything. Not because life is a movie, but because life moves quickly, and I’d rather notice it while it’s happening.
By The Overthink Edit | Published June 6, 2026