Savvy Chic

tidbits, thoughts, and ramblings. . .with a Mormon twist

How to Be Romantic February 7, 2008

Filed under: fun,savvy thoughts — savvychic @ 9:11 am

Published with permission from
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What “being romantic” means varies widely from person to person, but at its core, romance involves doing something to express affection in a meaningful yet unexpected way. A true act of romance requires creativity and sincerity, often inspired by love (either its presence or its possibility). While harboring affection for someone might be easy, translating it into romance usually is not. There are millions of romantic ideas in books, movies and on the Internet, but true romance comes from within. Here’s how to get in touch with your inner romantic.

Steps

  1. Break the monotony. Many people associate the beginning of a relationship with romance, excitement and inspiration because everything is new. You’ve just met this person and the relationship is unfolding–what will happen tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Will he call? Will we kiss? Will she visit? But after the relationship is established, we settle into a routine, and nothing is new anymore. To be romantic, to reintroduce the excitement that characterized the beginning of the relationship, do something different, something that your partner wouldn’t expect. The more out of the ordinary, the better!
  2. Court them. Pretend that you and the person just met, and you want the person to fall for you. What would you do to impress them? To show them that you’re interested? To win them over? Treat your partner like they’re single, like you’re trying to earn their affection and trust. The opposite of being romanced is being taken for granted. No one wants to feel like they’ve already been “caught” and it’s over and done with. Put on a show! Stay on your toes! The most romantic ideas come to people when they fear they might lose the one they love. But you don’t have to actually be on the verge of losing someone in order to tap into that mindset!
  3. Make it personal. Romance is not “one-size-fits-all”. The stereotypical icons of romance (roses, candles and chocolate) can only go so far. Think about what really gets that special someone excited. Recognize what makes your partner unique, and find/do things for them that only they would appreciate. What are their quirky (perhaps secret) interests, obsessions and fantasies? Whenever they’re shopping, talking, or watching a movie, what makes their eyes light up? Pay attention! Being romantic means acknowledging how special a person is, and that means demonstrating that you know–better than anyone else in the world–what makes them unique.
  4. Focus on the little things. Romance can be practiced every day, and it doesn’t have to be expensive or grand. In fact, sometimes the most romantic moments are simple, spontaneous and free. There are millions of ways to say “I love you” and “I’m lucky to have you.” Think of the world as your medium. You can write it, say it, sculpt it, look it, hide it, shout it, paint it, kiss it, fold it, grow it, touch it, and express it in unlimited ways. Make it a habit to find a new way to be romantic every day. Be creative and have fun with it!
  5. Be sincere. To make someone feel appreciated, you have to really, truly be thankful for their presence in your life. Maintaining that sense of gratitude takes conscious effort. It’s easy to forget how amazing someone is when you see them every day, but if you constantly remind yourself how lucky you are to share your life with that person, every day will be the most romantic day of your life.

Tips

  • If you’re still a loss for ideas (or have some to share), check out How to Come up With Romantic Ideas.
  • Don’t assume that the person you’re romancing is just like you. A night of ballroom dancing might be the most romantic thing in the world to you, but your partner might feel otherwise. Remember that no matter how close the person is to you, he or she is an individual, not an extension of yourself. Surprise your partner by doing something you’d never normally do on your own, just because you know it’d make them happy.
  • If your partner doesn’t seem to appreciate your efforts, it’s not that you’ve failed to be romantic; it’s that your partner has failed to receive your affection. Maybe they’re not accustomed to being romanced, or maybe they’re distracted by other stresses in their lives. If you feel rejected, don’t just give up. Talk to the person about it.
  • Don’t forget to laugh! There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing your partner’s face light up with laughter. If making yourself out to be a bit of a goof is what it takes, do it and then laugh together!

Warnings

  • Being romantic doesn’t mean being obsessive. There’s a difference between expressing appreciation and expecting a person to devote all of their time to you in return. You’re an individual, not just one half of a relationship, so don’t be consumed by your efforts to romance someone else. You can be romantic and be yourself at the same time.

Related wikiHows

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