ROMANTICIZING YOUR NUTRITION HABITS
“Romanticize your life” might sound like something reserved for aesthetically curated Instagram feeds and influencers — but hear me out. There’s real value, backed by both research and practice, in making your everyday routines feel more enjoyable and intentional. Especially when it comes to nutrition.
If you’ve been here for any amount of time, you know the word “consistency” is one that comes up quite often. And one of the biggest things I’ve learned — both through coaching and real life — is that we’re more likely to stick to habits when they feel good.
Not necessarily perfect. Not rigid, either. Not forced. Just, well…pleasant.
This is where romanticizing comes in. It’s the practice of adding intention, enjoyment, or beauty to ordinary habits — not to make them fancier, but to make them feel more human. More connected. More like something you want to do, instead of something you have to do.
WHY IT WORKS
1 | WE REPEAT WHAT FEELS GOOD
Behavioral psychology and everyday practice tells us that positive reinforcement is a powerful driver of habit formation. If a behavior results in a positive emotional experience — even something subtle like calm or enjoyment — we’re more likely to do it again.
2 | EMOTION CREATES MEMORY AND MEANING
When we tie habits to something that makes us feel peaceful, proud, cozy, or energized, it becomes more than just a task. It becomes a moment.
3 | REDUCING FRICTION MAKES HABITS FEEL EASIER
Romanticizing doesn’t always mean adding things — it can mean removing barriers. Creating a “vibe” you enjoy, having the right tools, or making a habit feel a little more “you” reduces mental resistance.
4 | MINDFULNESS INCREASES SATISFACTION
Even small rituals (lighting a candle, plating your meal, taking a breath before eating) can anchor you in the present moment. The more present you are, the more satisfaction you get from the experience — which often leads to less mindless eating, more intentional choices, and a stronger connection to your body’s signals.
A few small ways to romanticize your nutrition habits:
Lighting a candle at dinner
Use your favorite plate or glass
Add fruit to your water, or fresh herbs to a dish
Prep with music or a podcast
My current favorite habit to romanticize (and the inspiration for this blog post, to be honest!) is frothing my morning coffee. It’s nothing fancy and doesn't follow an elaborate recipe, it’s just the simple step of using a handheld frother to make my milk creamier, but it has transformed my mornings, and has become my most grounding ritual.
You don’t need to romanticize everything. This isn’t about turning your life into a curated aesthetic — it’s about giving yourself permission to enjoy the habits you’re working hard to build. Because when your habits feel good to do, they’re a whole lot easier to stick with.
So if you’ve been struggling with motivation lately, consider this your permission slip to bring some spark back to your routine — not with more rules, but with a little more…joy.
Need some support with upgrading your habits? Nutrition coaching is about more than macro targets and weekly check-ins, it’s a personalized experience that, among many things, focuses on the habits that are most important and impactful to you. I’d love to be in your corner as you romanticize your nutrition and lifestyle habits!
