Dinner for One, Please

What does it really mean to be romantic? Is it only about love between two people or could it be something more?

I honestly think the true romantics are the people who romanticize life itself. By that, I mean the tiny, almost invisible moments that sneak into our everyday routines.

As an international student, I get a lot of alone time. And when you’re by yourself, you think… a lot. About the good, the bad, the boring and even the weird. Sometimes life feels monotonous, but I’ve found one simple trick to break that cycle: see life as art.

Think about it. A perfectly framed cinematic shot might look technically brilliant but still feel soulless. Meanwhile, a blurry off-frame photo can scream with meaning. Life works the same way.

Here’s the thing: we’re basically nanoparticles in this massive universe, yet we spend so much of our time complaining, crying, and stressing about how unfair everything feels. Sure, life rarely goes according to plan but that journey you’re on right now — with all its detours and potholes is uniquely yours. That’s something to own and not run from.

Choosing wonder over cynicism

“Hate” is a strong word, but people throw it around so casually these days. I think skepticism is healthier because even in doubt, there’s room for curiosity and beauty. A dilemma can still teach you something. A lost train of thought can still find its way home.

We live in a generation obsessed with closure, revenge, and validation. But what if instead we chose gratitude, contentment, and joy?

The art of small things

For me, romanticizing life is in the details:

• That first bite of scrambled eggs that’s just right.

• A cup of coffee that shifts your whole mood.

• A song that time-travels you back to a happy memory.

• A random joke that makes you laugh way too loud.

These aren’t “big” things. They’re micro-moments but if you let them, they’ll carry you through the heavier stuff.

And yes, mental health matters deeply. But the way you choose to frame your life matters too. Sometimes, you don’t need the world to rescue you. Sometimes, you just need you. Go watch that movie alone. Order yourself dessert. Laugh at that meme only you find funny.

Even if nobody else gets it that doesn’t make your joy invalid. Own what you love and don’t apologize for it.

Like eggs — some people like them runny, others firm, others somewhere in between. You like what you like. That’s enough.

Here’s a secret: no matter how hard you try, someone out there won’t like it and that’s okay. Stop bending over backwards trying to be perfect for society. At the end of the day, you can’t make everyone else smile if you’ve forgotten how to smile yourself.

There’s a quote from The Shawshank Redemption that sticks with me:

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

So embrace your past. Enjoy your present. Hope for your future.

Because life is short and you don’t have forever. So live it your way.