At The Silver Petticoat Review, we define Romantic Living as a philosophy and lifestyle rooted in imagination, beauty, and optimism.
But what does Romantic Living mean? It is easy to imagine romance in a romantic sense. However, Romantic Living is more of a lifestyle and a way of looking at the world than romantic love (though appreciating authentic romance can be part of it).
You may take the time to appreciate nature all around you, never give up on your dreams, find beauty in the mundane, or believe in kindred spirits.
RELATED: What is Creativity and How to Be More Creative In Your Own Life
Living a Romantic life focuses on authentic emotion and optimism in a troubled world.
To clarify, here are two definitions of “romantic” from the Oxford English Dictionary that help explain:
Of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealized view of reality.
‘a romantic attitude toward the past’
Romantic: Relating to or denoting the artistic and literary movement of Romanticism.
‘the Romantic tradition’
Romantic Living relates to these two definitions: “of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealized view of reality” and “a romantic attitude toward the past.”
Another Merriam-Webster definition of romantic is “marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized.”
While some use ‘idealized’ or ‘romanticized’ as a criticism, we see it as a tool for resilience. It is an intentional choice to focus on beauty and light as an optimistic way of dealing with adversity, no matter how hard life gets.
Think Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables or even the Doctor in Doctor Who, choosing to look to the stars, make a difference, and go on adventures.
Rose Tyler in Doctor Who says:
“It was a better life. I don’t mean all the traveling and seeing aliens and spaceships and things that don’t matter. The Doctor showed me a better way of living your life. You know he showed you, too. That you don’t just give up. You don’t just let things happen. You make a stand. You say no. You have the guts to do what’s right when everyone else just runs away!”
This ‘better way of living’, standing up for what is right and choosing adventure over apathy, is the heart of the Romantic lifestyle.
Now, we still believe “romance,” in the traditional sense, can be a part of Romantic Living. Perhaps it means embracing authentic romance and chivalrous love, or simply enjoying the pleasure of reading a romance novel or watching a romance movie.
You don’t need a romantic partner to live Romantically. It’s about how you see and engage with the world. We’d argue that Louisa May Alcott was a “Romantic” who loved writing sensation novels, but was also single and enjoyed “paddling” her own canoe and going on adventures.
Romantic Living also includes the most inspirational aspects of the Romantic Movement.
ROMANTIC LIVING CHARACTERISTICS: HOW TO LIVE A ROMANTIC LIFE
Choose which characteristics work for you – individuality is, after all, of utmost importance!
“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.”
– Anne Frank
Nurturing the Inner Self
- Seek out authentic emotion and intuition: Value your “gut feelings.”
- Discover your true self and personal style: Do the work and explore who you really are. Embrace a life of authenticity and meaning.
- Welcome individualism: (e.g., Jane Eyre is a fantastic fictional character who practices this trait), but remain mindful of others.
- Explore your personal beliefs: If you are interested in spirituality, truth, mythology, or the supernatural, discover the path that resonates with you.
- Practice self-care whenever possible (e.g., meditation, qigong, exercise, or healthy eating).
Creativity and Imagination
- Recognize the importance of imagination as a way of life: Be a creator of whatever inspires you (e.g., write that novel you have always wanted to, start the podcast on your mind, or create a safe space for the people in your life).
- Learn from your childhood: Carry the sense of wonder and curiosity you had as a child into your adult life. And learn from your past traumas. Be kind to your inner child.
- Embrace artistic expression and passion: Find ways to fill your daily life with creativity and purpose.
- Find beauty everywhere: Even in the mundane, look for the “enchanting” element.
Engagement with Nature and the World
- Love nature, beauty, and the stars: Connect to the Earth and animals in an uplifting way (e.g., take care of the planet, use less toxic beauty products, cuddle with puppies, look up at the stars, or volunteer at an animal shelter).
- Foster healthy connections: Believe in “kindred spirits” and build deep, meaningful relationships with those around you.
- Embrace empathy and equality: Recognize that we are all the same. Embrace diversity, learn about other cultures, and listen to their stories.
- Make a difference: Show charity, stand up for your beliefs, and fight for the underdog.
Aesthetics, History, and Adventure
- Appreciate the “Romance of the Past”: Find beauty in vintage decor, Old Hollywood glamour, antiques, classics, period dramas, or genealogy.
- Learn from the past to shape the present: Recognize ethical leadership and spiritual themes in historical figures and authors.
- Embrace cottagecore and cozy aesthetics: Appreciate emotional warmth, kindness, and the goodness of the earth (e.g., drinking herbal teas or going on nature walks).
- Have a love of travel and adventure: Consider the idea of “transformational travel.” Explore the world like you’re the Doctor’s companion (see Doctor Who!).
Mindset and Media
- Appreciate optimism: Choose to look for the “light at the end of the tunnel” rather than focusing on only the bad. Express gratitude each day.
- Be an ethical, kind-hearted, and humble leader: Lead by example with grace.
- Believe in “real” romance and enjoy uplifting entertainment: Believe in real, lasting love, but don’t be afraid to enjoy romantic movies, books, and shows, as well as other uplifting content that can inspire you in your own life.
- Read books: Whatever you love and enjoy; we each connect to different writers for a reason.
Again, what it means to live a Romantic life varies from person to person. But to us, it’s a combination of imagination, idealism, optimism, authenticity, creativity, adventure, beauty, and, yes, a little bit of romance.
So, find the characteristics that work for you and create a beautiful life.
THE SILVER PETTICOAT REVIEW MANIFESTO
To summarize our philosophy of Romantic Living, download our free Manifesto when you subscribe to our newsletter.
You can also read more about its inspiration in our article “Our New Manifesto: How to Live a More Imaginative, Romantic Life.”
That’s our guide to Romantic Living! What does Romantic Living mean to you? We’d love to hear how you embrace imagination, beauty, and optimism in your life.
This guide was created and is maintained by Amber & Autumn Topping, founders of The Silver Petticoat Review.
This post made me so happy 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
i love the little poster at the end and all it reminds us to do.
Thanks, Rhea!
I actually found this website googling modern romantic clothes. This seems to be a little treasure. Although other then literature and cinema, it seems this website doesn’t really have other details of a Romantic lifestyle. Have I just not found it yet? I think those elements would add to the message of exploring individuality and application, such as clothes, decor, like the magazine Victoria does for example. Just a thought.
Hi Lydia. Yes, that is something we want to do more of in the future. We have just started exploring Romantic Living! But it’s just two of us running this site, and will take time to get there. But it is a future goal. 🙂 Our focus with Romantic Living currently is on entertainment and how it can inspire us to live more romantic lives – like using Jane Austen’s quotes as an inspiration for life. So, it’s romantic living in that sense. However, we do want to do more of what you’re talking about soon.
Could you give your thoughts on how feminism killed chivalry.