Romanticise Your Life: How to find joy in the everyday

by Beth McColl

'A warm and practical guide to infuse joy into the seemingly mundane' - BOLU BABALOLA, author of LOVE IN COLOUR

'Helped me to discover the joy all around me' - ANNIE LORD, author of NOTES ON HEARTBREAK

'A brilliant, necessary and refreshing take on self-love' - OLIVIA PETTER, author of MILLENNIAL LOVE

Exploring all areas of life from solo travelling to the joy of friendships, tapping into your Main Character Energy, and taking control of your dating life, in this beautifully illustrated must-have guide Beth McColl shows you how romance is about appreciating the small things, because they can be just as magnificent as meeting the love of your life.

Everyday romance might

· Cooking yourself an elaborate meal
· Going on a solo trip to the seaside
· Writing a letter to an old friend
· Texting someone out of the blue just to let them know you're missing them
· Smiling at a handsome stranger on the train just before your stop

Empowered by Beth's uplifting anecdotes and inspiring tips, you will discover that whether it's a grand gesture, or just simply appreciating how the sun rises anew each day, life is about making the most of the moments we're given...

Because joy and romance start with you.

'Reading it is like getting a warm hug from your friend' - STYLIST

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2024

About the author

Beth McColl is a twenty-something writer and occasional human. She’s an advice columnist for Dazed & Confused magazine and has written about love, sex and mental health for Brooklyn Magazine, Gradient, and Ask-Men. She has a degree in English Literature but refuses to learn either to read or write. It’s a lot easier this way, she says. She’s never been nominated for any awards but her tweets are often featured on Buzzfeed and twice on Playboy, which continues to confuse and upset her grandparents. She has several beautiful girlfriends but you wouldn’t know them because they go to another school. They are models.

Reviews

[scar! . *. ⋆ (Johnny kavanaghs version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 !! “𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦.”
. *. ⋆. “𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱, 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺."*.⋆

✨୨⎯ "𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!- 📖" ⎯୧-✨
3.5⭐️ ──★ ˙ ̟🎀 !!
i found this book yesterday when I was having a tough time and I got it done it one sitting.

this book explained so much about maintaining a life you love, and a life you call to. this book contains so much advice that I found so helpful. it really came up when I needed it the most.

I listened to the audio book on Spotify and the narrating was so good, I hardly got lost in thought.

this was just a really nice listen while doing self care and it really helped me have a better day. if you want to start romanticising your life more then definitely give this book a listen because it will really help.

sometimes all you have to do is listen to an audio book on self love, its like therapy.

[Stella Steer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book that has changed the way I think about relationships both platonic and romantic.

[Niamh Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a self-help book this was actually so practical and applicable!! What a good read to change your perspective on the little things🥹 so cute loved this book

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels like a pep talk from your bestie :) <3

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the way Beth writes.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going through a bit of a rough patch mentally but this book is a really nice reminder of the small, free and interminable joys you can find everyday. Super light and easy read - cute to have the little journal prompts in the book too

[Jessica-Lee Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous and sublimely written book - I laughed and cried. A genuinely amazing guide to making your own world that little (or a lot) better with fantastic thought pieces and anecdotes in between. And the most incredible part? It makes you feel like you deserve it. This will be life-changing for some people and will be something I refer to forever. Would give it six stars if I could!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read and was perfectly fine - it reads more like an extended Stylist article than a full book, but I don’t necessarily mean that in a negative way. Romanticising your life feels a bit fluffy, and like something that implies a level of privilege/money/time in order to achieve. A fuller, more po-faced tome would likely come off as condescending and tone deaf. This seems to acknowledge its limitations and says, well, if you get round to it, this is stuff to think about. Perfectly fine.

[Ariel Leonhardt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The sentiments were lovely but it felt redundant. I was hoping for some more data-backed info/ mental health research components.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fantastic. I’ve never really read many self help style books, but I’ve found Beth McColl’s writing style so wonderful over the years that I had to read this - her articles and columns covering life, love, mental health, friendships and more are so beautifully written, compassionate, and genuinely helpful. Plus her tweets are always 10/10.

Romanticise Your Life is all about how to find a bit more joy in everyday moments (without having to buy that latest trending thing or change yourself), and how you are absolutely deserving of doing so.
This book urges you to take the small wins, learn to love yourself, indulge a little, and find peace. Interspersed with anecdotes from Beth’s own experiences, this reads like a heartfelt reminder to pause, live in the moment and enjoy life that little bit more.

I ended up listening to the audiobook narrated by McColl, and I just absolutely loved it and got through it SO quickly (which is totally wild because I normally really struggle with audiobooks. What a win).

I really recommend reading romanticise your life, it feels like the kind of book that can change you for the better.

[Em · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, I have not been avid reader since graduate school sapped me of my will to read. So I agreed to have this audiobook on in the background during a chill evening while my wife listened to it as it would require less of an effort. However I quickly came to the conclusion that this book about “romanticizing your life” was penned from an extremely privileged, heterosexual and white perspective which was made abundantly clear at the beginning and remained unwavering throughout. It read like one line from a glossy magazine had been expanded to fill a book with no addition of substance or research. The language felt endlessly repetitive to the point of being laborious and lackluster and I realized that in addition to not enjoying reading bad prose, I didn’t like hearing it read out loud either. Full disclosure, the soporific effect of the audiobook did lead me to a more enjoyable two hours of sleep so I did not finish the book but I have walked away from much less so I’d say this was a testament to the listener’s patience and evidence to the quality of the writing.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a very specific book for a specific group of people-it isn't for everyone but for those who need it, it could very well be life changing.

The concept of "romanticising your life" is cringe, no getting away from that. Meaningless whimsical phrases are rife in this age but there is something of substance here. It's permission to play, to not put your life on hold until you meet your imagined markers, to create your own rituals, to enjoy the small things, to notice the small things.

It's not ground-breaking of course, we all know those things but it's the permission that's important. Nobody wants to be cringe, it's written for written for women and the trend is very much seen as feminine-therefore it is easily dismissed as not-serious, not worthwhile, childish. All rooted in our patriarchal culture.

So this is the revolution-you can have fun and having fun is good for you.

It's not for people suffering from serious depression (the book acknowledges it's own limitations) but if you are bogged down in all the drudge-this could help.

[Cassidy Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book at my local library and felt instantly drawn to it—not just by the title, but by a note on the first page that read, “You’ll love this book, trust me.” I took it as a sign and brought it home.

As someone in their twenties, it felt like this book was written just for me (or people in similar situations). It touches on all the fears that hold us back from truly “living life to the fullest”. Beth’s advice and stories are both comforting and inspiring, and the journal prompts and exercises added so much depth. It’s a beautiful reminder to live in the moment and love yourself as you are. I’d recommend it to anyone who needs a little reassurance, or something to simply brighten their day.

[Cassidy Thibodeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book at my local library and felt instantly drawn to it—not just by the title, but by a note on the first page that read, “You’ll love this book, trust me.” I took it as a sign and brought it home.

As someone in their twenties, it felt like this book was written just for me. It touches on all the fears that hold us back from truly living. Beth’s advice and stories are both comforting and inspiring, and the journal prompts and exercises added so much depth. It’s a beautiful reminder to live in the moment and love yourself as you are. I’d recommend it to anyone who needs a little reassurance, or something to simply brighten their day.

[Milly Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really sweet little book that reminds you to really appreciate all the little moments. I am such a big believer in appreciating all the little things because ultimately, they make up the big things, but sometimes I get caught up in such a hectic and busy life that I forget to do this. This booked made me slow down, take a step back and feel really thankful for all the little moments. There is SO much beauty, kindness and inspiration all round us - we just have to stop a little to see it. For sure recommend this read or audiobook as a little reminder for all we have to be grateful for.

[Pippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I finish this in one sitting? Absolutely. I’ve always enjoyed Beth’s writing and this is no different, so eloquent and motivational. I’ve not had the best time recently and this was 100% the positive little push I needed to start enjoying the little things and romanticising my life so thank you Beth!

[Nikki N · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous book !! Such a comforting and feel good read, just like having a heart to heart with a that one friend who radiates warmth and big sister energy. Beth articulates feelings I hadn’t even realised I had (and so beautifully), whilst adding colour to each section of the book with familiar feeling personal anecdotes. I will be purchasing copies as gifts for some of my girls !

[Bec Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this. There are some really great snippets of advice and ways to think in here. Some bits felt like a bit like a memoir (I was less keen on these bits). I enjoyed the journal prompts at the end of each chapter and have saved them to do at a later date❤️

[Oenone Forbat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth is such a wonderful writer. This book is a tonic in a time of political and economical unrest, a little slice of loveliness in a world that feels increasingly doomed. Romanticise your life!!!! Would recommend to everyone and would make a perfect gift for a loved one!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life just when I needed it: dealing with multiple kinds of grief, trying to adjust to large life changes, feeling lonely and in my own head. This was the perfect antidote; well written, funny, touching, and inspiring.

[Ruchira Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Beth's writing. It's so warm and compassionate. You feel instantly shielded from the world, and this book is such a pleasure to read. This would make the perfect gift for someone you love (including yourself)!

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Beth and I love this!!! Big fan of the Everything Is Content pod which spurred me on to read this and it didn’t disappoint. She’s such a great writer and this is a lovely lil non fic read, watch me act the main character even more now in life!!!

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen, this type of self help is not always my thing but this author has been a comfort writer of mine since university (read:depression) and I’ll always stan. And there were some lovely ideas in here!

[Axelle Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5* rounded up... Thought Catalog kind of book. A few good snippets, but mostly dating and travel advice from a 20-something. Decent writing. I listened to the audiobook while doing chores around the house on a Sunday :)

[Milly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me how beautiful the little things are. We just need to pay more attention.

[Ayesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave an audiobook 5 stars!? I loooved the soothing narration, the content has really inspired me to focus on some solo dating

[Molly Dunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful read that reminds you of all the small joys of life ✨

[Jon Colverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very kind, gentle, and wise advice about how to make life more enjoyable and lovely.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Chloe Barker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea but I really like the author