If you’re a nurse, nursing student, or simply someone drowning in the “doing” of life, this one’s for you. Today I want to explore a concept that felt a little surprising to me at first, but now has become a game-changer: romanticizing self-care on your days off.

I got inspired by scrolling through social media reels where people were “romanticizing” mundane tasks like cooking breakfast or winding down at night. Then I watched an interview with Taylor Swift about her song Opalite (yes, spelled like the gemstone). She explained that the song is about forgiving yourself for things that didn’t go as planned and realizing that happiness can be man-made.

That hit me. Success, money, checking all the boxes… they don’t automatically create joy. Happiness is something we help to bring into our lives. And that brought us to this post: how we can gently elevate - or romanticize - ordinary moments to create self-care that feels nourishing, intentional, and yes, even a little bit magical.

What does romanticizing self-care even mean?

Romanticizing something sounds kind of lofty, dreamy… maybe even indulgent. But it doesn’t have to be. I asked ChatGPT for a definition and this is what it gave (paraphrased):

“To romanticize something means to view it through a lens of appreciation, beauty, and intentionality - to elevate ordinary moments so they feel meaningful and even magical. It’s not about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about choosing to see the good, gentle, or poetic side of what’s already there.”

In other words: you’re not erasing hard days or ignoring stress. You’re choosing to slow, notice, appreciate. The verb “romanticize” means to treat life as art; treat rest, work, growth as something worth savoring.

I love this, especially because it’s not me by default. I’m the high-energy, multi-tasking, “what’s next?” person. The idea of pausing and leaning into small moments felt… foreign. But maybe I was craving it deep down.

And I realized: I’m already doing it in one way. My commute. Yes, my long, early-morning drive. Instead of dreading it, I make a good coffee, turn on my heated seat, pick a podcast, leave early so I’m not scrambling. It’s calm. It’s intentional. It doesn’t feel like “just a drive.” It feels like a mini-ritual.

That is romanticizing the ordinary.

Why this matters for self-care (especially for nurses & students)

If you’re in healthcare (or training for it), you know the rhythm: long hours, emotional labour, physical exhaustion. Days off don’t always feel restful - they often feel like “my one chance to get everything done.”

But here’s the thing: Self-care isn’t just spa days (though those can be nice). True self-care is restoring, recharging, repairing. When we romanticize the ordinary: we build rest into life, rather than waiting for it.

When we treat our days off as sacred, we’re doing a few things:

Saying: “My body/my mind/my spirit matter.”
Giving ourselves permission to be rather than always do.
Turning small tasks into spaces of nourishment rather than chores.
Creating a rhythm of rest that replenishes so we don’t burn out.

If you’re a nurse or student and you feel drained, you may need this concept. If you’re already living on “go,” romanticizing doesn’t add more pressure—it gives permission to slow down.

A day-off blueprint: How to romanticize your rest day

Let’s walk through a typical day off, and how you can turn it into a slower, more intentional, calmer, self-care-rich day. You don’t need all of it. You pick what resonates.

1. Slow mornings

No alarm (or set one later than usual). Let your body wake naturally.
When you open your eyes: linger. Reach to open the blinds. Let sunlight touch your face.
Do a few stretches. Breathe deeply. All before you reach for your phone.
Brew your coffee or tea like a ritual. Hear the kettle. Smell the aroma. Sip slowly. Hold the mug.
Play a gentle playlist (acoustic covers, café-style music).
Take 5–10 minutes for reflection or intention-setting: journaling, praying, or simply breathing. Maybe say: “Today I rest to refill my cup, not because I earned it, but because I need it.”
Remind yourself: rest ≠ laziness. It’s healing.

2. Romanticize rest itself

What does rest look like for you? Maybe it’s staying in comfy clothes. Maybe it’s reading a book. Maybe its doing absolutely nothing. Whatever that looks like for you, lets romanticize it!

Light a candle, open a window, sit outside. Let your nervous system decompress.
Avoid “I should be doing something” thoughts. Replace with: “My body deserves this pause.”
If you normally feel guilty when you restthis is the space you rewrite.
Treat time off not as a leftover, but as the main event.

3. Nourishment made beautiful

Make breakfast like you’re on vacation: plate it, take your time, taste everything. Even something simple (hello, avocado toast)! But show up for it.
Eat slowly, without multitasking… especially as someone who works in high-stress environments where meals often get rushed.
Grocery run as self-care: dress in something you feel good in (even if comfy), grab a coffee, playlist in place. Shopping becomes experience, not just errand.
Cooking as ritual: lighting a candle, music in the background, maybe a mocktail (or glass of wine if you’re inclined), chopping, sizzling—plate with intention. Food tastes better when it’s seen.
Hydration: nurses carry big mugs but often forget to drink them. Add slices of citrus or cucumber. Make your water something you look at, enjoy, choose.

4. Movement + mindfulness

Movement doesn’t always mean “go hard”… on a rest day, aim for “recharge” movement.
Go for a gentle walk in nature. No destination, no time pressure. Observe your surroundings. Breathe.
Stretch while thinking of what your body does for you: carry you through shifts, hold you upright, serve others. Gratitude for the vessel.
Maybe you love gardening, yoga, a gentle cycle. Choose something that fills your cup rather than drains it.
Avoid intense workouts that leave you exhausted (unless that's the kind of rest that works for you. Focus on joy, not obligation.

5. Tending your environment

Self-care isn’t just about you, it’s about your surrounding space too.
Doing dishes, wiping counters, folding laundry - play your fave podcast or ambient sound (rain, fire crackle) in the background. Turn chores into gentle rhythm, not stress.
I’m not always naturally tidy, but after everything’s clean I feel calm. Space = peace.
Consider this: when you get back to work, you return to calm, not mess.

6. Evening reset

Take what I call an “everything shower”: candles, soft music, hot water, hair mask, teeth whitening strip in place, exfoliation - take your time.
After your shower: fresh sheets, fresh PJs. If you have a diffuser, use it!! Add lavender or another calming scent.
Do your bedtime skincare, hair care. Close the laptop, set the phone aside.
Reflect on the week… what went right? What small things are you grateful for? Set that mood.
Going to bed, not just tired, but intentionally ready.

What this isn’t (and why that matters)

It’s not about perfect. It’s not about Instagram-worthy luxury or spending big.
It’s not one more thing to do. It’s a way to be.
It’s not a cure for burnout overnight. But it can be one of the ways you build sustainable rest.
You don’t need to plan everything. Pick one thing to romanticize and start there.

Where to start: Your first “romanticized” task

Pick one small thing in your life and experiment:

Your morning coffee.
Grocery shopping.
Your commute.
Your shower.
Your bed-making.

Treat it like it's the “main feature” of that moment. Slow down. Breathe. Notice the sights, sounds, sensations. Choose to make it enjoyable.

You probably won’t regret it.

Final thoughts: You are the main character

Remember the message behind Taylor Swift’s Opalite—happiness can be man-made, and still be beautiful. You are the creator of your moments.

When you romanticize your ordinary: you turn life into something you not just endure but savor. You turn your day off into simply… your day.

In summary

Romanticizing self-care means choosing to see and savor the everyday with intention.
Especially for nurses, nursing students, and busy people… it’s a shift from “productive day off” to “restful, meaningful day off.”
Use the blueprint above to create slow mornings, nourishing meals, gentle movement, an environment you love, and a restful evening.
Pick one task to elevate this week. Let it become something you look forward to.
You hold the brush; you’re painting your life. You’re the main character.

If this resonates, share it with a friend who needs to remember they’re the star of their own story. And if you’re doing this in real life next time you have a day off—take a moment, breathe, and say: “This moment matters.”

And - as always, I’ve got one hand for me… and the other for you.

Until next time,

Caroline

PS. Want more on this topic? Listen to Life After Nursing School Podcast Episode 39

Romanticizing Self-Care: A Self-Love Guide for Nurses, Nursing Students, and Anyone in Life’s Busy Season