Simply..romantic?!

31/1/2023

Are you kidding? said a voice in my head. The world is in crisis There is violence corruption greed malevolence dishonesty hate victimhood species extinction breaking news (no-one needs breaking news) poverty climate change hunger war strikes uncertainty and chaos!

So am I going to put my life on hold until all these crises are resolved? Maybe I'll hang that on a peg for the moment and look at what I mean by romantic. I also noticed how defensve I feel about choosing this word. My inner critic needs no nourisshing or protection - she's doing just great.

I looked up definitions of romantic. Characterised by the expression of love. No bad thing I should think. Having an idealised view of the world. No harm in seeking an ideal... what would life be like if we did not strive for an ideal? Sentimental. Well, sentiment is feeling and if the feelings are delight and joy bring it on I say.

I don't need a partner to have romance in my life. I don't want a lover, or another husband. But my soul needs some romance! I will spend February exploring , nourishing protecting, (and not apologisng for), my inner romantic.

Will you join me?

9 Comments

Susan inDorset

31/1/2023 11:42:40 pm

There's also Romanticism / The 18th Century Romantic Movement, to consider within the definition.
And also, The New Romantics of the 1970s!

Freda

1/2/2023 01:44:33 pm

And the courtly romances of the late mediaeval period?
So much wonder to explore!

Susan in Dorset

2/2/2023 12:05:56 am

And the opportunity to explore contemporary versions of the fashion of both times: the shapes, textures and colours.

Gwendoline

1/2/2023 12:57:16 am

Oh, I quite agree Freda! Life is bleak bleak bleak without an imaginative lift. And I would also recommend the book "Romantic Moderns" by Alexandra Harris for a different perspective on the word and its connotations. I found this especially interesting as I much prefer the art of the period that has been 'softened' by a more sympathetic affect. I find a lot of Eliot (e.g.) rather unyielding but, where he waxes more 'romantic' I can really enjoy it.

Freda

1/2/2023 01:46:08 pm

That sounds fascinating, and I have not heard of it before, so thank you!

PennyL

1/2/2023 02:04:30 am

Oh yes, Freda, I’m going to join you. Things feel absolutely bleak at the moment, in oh so many ways, and I have been feeling increasingly fed up. I am going to change my mindset as much as I can for February ! Maybe I’ll start by listening to some good old New Romantics music, Susan! Life definitely felt more fun in the early eighties, even though the reality of politics etc was rather grim!

Freda

1/2/2023 01:47:48 pm

There’s an enormous world of romantic music to enjoy. So glad you are joining me. Do you let me know what you are doing..

Anne Jenkins

1/2/2023 11:29:19 am

Hi Freda, I was reading your ‘Simply……’ blog whilst on holiday in Italy last week and my word for this year is Serendipity! The universe has already sent some serendipitous moments and meetings my way in January for which I am truly grateful! Finding your blog is one of them, we were LifeClub members together many years ago! The titles and contents of two books written by Sarah Ban Breathnach may interest you. ‘Simple Abundance’ and ‘Romancing the Ordinary’. Hope you enjoy!

Freda

1/2/2023 01:51:17 pm

Hello Anne! That must’ve been about 2009. I came across romancing the ordinary many years ago. Loved the title and it was fun to dip in and out of. Serendipity looks like being a fun word for you. So nice to see you here!

Simply..romantic?!

Leave a Reply.

Categories

Author

Archives