“You have to start romanticizing your life…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.” This is Ashley Ward’s advice. Her viral audio and video of friends on a beach encouraged everyone to beautify and enjoy the little things in life.
In 2022, influencers co-opted the trend. Suddenly, beautiful videos of a simple meal at home and the idea of buying flowers and lighting a candle for the sake of self-love became a bigger deal. Regular, mundane routines like washing your face turned into beautiful occasions. Starting in 2026, the “romanticizing” and “main character energy” trends may be dead and tired but only because they are so normalized in today’s culture.
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Critics of the movement argued the highly curated and idealistic videos were self-indulgent and only attractive for the sake of sponsored content on social media. Some psychologists thought “romanticizing” one’s life was a form of mindfulness and a positive practice of gratitude.
But what does God have to say about it?
Eternal romance in the ‘Song of Songs’
To answer this question, we need to look to Scripture, specifically, Solomon’s Song of Songs. It’s a passionate love letter, one often misunderstood; a dialogue between the Bridegroom and the bride that relates to our desire for a deep, rich romance. In the Song of Songs, Jesus is the ultimate soulmate and the Bridegroom who lays down His life for His bride, the Church.
In Mark 2:18-22, Jesus answers why his disciples do not fast, unlike John’s followers and the Pharisees. He says:
“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?
As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast on that day.”
In this Gospel, Jesus not only prophetically refers to His death on the cross, but to His own nature and identity as lover of His people. Time and time again in Scripture, God seeks us out and deeply desires a personal relationship with us. Jesus knows our thoughts before we do and everyone of our hair is counted. He delights in us and pursues us.
God didn’t stop at sending His Son into the world.Every time we receive God in the Eucharist during Mass, He becomes one with us. Attending Mass is truly the most intimate part of our relationship and the Song of Songs echoes this romance.
“Tell me, you who my heart loves, where you pasture your flock?” asks the bride. Jesus, also known as the Good Shepherd, replies, “O most beautiful among women, follow the tracks of the flock and pasture the young ones.” The Bridegroom points to Himself as the ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction of our desire.
Jesus refers to Himself as living water to the woman at the well in Samaria. In Chapter 5 of Song of Songs, he tells His bride to “Drink freely of love!” The line “as a deer pants for water” from Psalm 42, refers to the soul’s longing and thirsting for God. On Calvary, Jesus longs for souls, literally saying “I thirst” before death. The Bible reminds us over and over how this great romance between God and creature is a cornerstone of our faith.
Can romanticizing our lives actually bring us closer to God?
In Captivating, written by husband-and-wife duo John and Stasi Eldredge, Stasi shares how God romances her through the details of everyday life. It’s a perspective that parallels much of today’s “romanticizing your life” movement.
One night, Stasi looked out upon the expansive Colorado sky studded with stars. She smiled to herself, complimenting God on His handiwork. In her soul, she heard Him reply, “I’m glad you like it, my darling.” Stasi blushed as a laywoman, wife, and mom of two, “Can God talk to me that way?”
Later that evening, Stasi read Song of Songs. She found the verse 1:15 that read, “How beautiful you are, my darling.”
As Stasi experienced, God has written His romance not only in our hearts, but all around us. Every song you love, memory you cherish, and experience that lights you up inside are all from the greatest lover of all, God. It’s just that his wooing looks a bit different than chocolates and candlelit dinners. It’s so much more personal. It comes in the form of sunsets, stars, and yes, warm hugs from your loved ones. We just have to open our hearts to His love and to the ways He wants to show His affection.
Live romantically
Light that candle, buy those flowers, and enjoy the moment. Don’t be afraid to slow down and cultivate beautiful moments by saying yes to wonder. Not because life is perfect, but because you have a God that loves you.
