IF YOU'VE BEEN A HABITUAL TIKTOK SCROLLER SINCE MAY 2020, you've probably come across one of the 71 000 videos with a soundtrack of TikTok user Ashley Ward's part inspirational, part instructional call-to-action: "You have to start romanticising your life," a voice says, as the camera hovers over a group of friends on a beach before slowly zooming in on Ashley as she lies down on a towel. "You have to start thinking of yourself as the main character. Because if you don't, life will continue to pass you by, and all the little things that make it so beautiful will continue to go unnoticed.” The main-character-esque sentiment that 'life moves pretty fast, and if you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it' isn't new - it's a quote from the literal main character of the 1986 teen comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off. It is, essentially, a form of mindfulness rooted in Buddhist practices. It also sounds a lot like the presence aspect of the Danish tradition of hygge, and the positive psychology concept of savouring. But the #romanticiseyourlife TikTok trend, originally sparked by Ashley's video, is still striking a chord more than two years and 782 million views later for a reason. Zooming in on the details of your life has the potential to increase gratitude and joy, Dr Rachel Hoffman, Chief Clinical Officer at mental health startup Real, tells Glamour.
Videos that have the hashtag #romanticiseyourlife on TikTok run the gamut content-wise, but three subgenres have emerged. You'll find plenty of sleek influencer edits full of beautiful places and things. There's also a strong cottagecore contingent (a TikTok rabbit hole in itself), in which people perform an idealised English countryside way of romanticising their lives, replete with antique tea sets, lace collar dresses and all-floral everything.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 2022 - January 2023 من GLAMOUR South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 2022 - January 2023 من GLAMOUR South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Are you considering moving to UK?
Bestselling author, Sam Beckbessinger is also a seasoned mover, and her latest offering, Moving to the UK, offers helpful tips, funny anecdotes and to-do lists to help you navigate this transition.
A beauty solution
At Standard Beauty, they take pride in being an all-women-run team, bringing diverse perspectives and unparalleled expertise to the skincare industry.
3 Things to Do When You Overthink Everything
How to overcome analysis paralysis.
A la MODE
With bold looks and exceptional value for money, the new Omoda C5 has made a big splash in the local motoring scene.
Spotlighting ABANTU FOR THE PEOPLE
Small businesses play an important role in the South African economy, and we're playing our part by showing them some love. This month, we shine the spotlight on Abantu Media, cofounded by Jay Wabantu who is also a tattoo artist and photographer.
CELEBRATING EMPOWERMENT
Pan-African bank Absa partners with Glamour for their influential Women of the Year Awards 2023
TAX SEASON UNPACKED
The word 'tax' stirs up many emotions, so we've roped in Tax Specialist, Natasha Lorde to answer your questions and help get you ready for Tax Season.
It's a COMPARISON trap
Even picture-perfect couples go through rough patches. Here's how to avoid the social media comparison trap.
Embracing CHANGE
It's time to stop comparing your current body to your former one. Romanticising the past is easy, but we're not meant to look the same our whole lives.
Healing YOUR INNER CHILD
The journey of self-discovery is nuanced and you may have discovered a younger you that needs to be seen and heard. Certified Meditation Practitioner, Melissa Lainn, shares her approach to healing the inner child.