My best friend was telling me the other day about how much she detests going to work so this gave me the idea for this post.
Let’s be honest, sometimes having a 9–5 feels like you’re living in one long loop of “ugh.”
You wake up, groggy, go through the motions, sip lukewarm coffee while half-scrolling through your inbox, and wonder if this is what life is supposed to feel like.
You’re not miserable, but you’re not exactly excited either. It’s like watching your life on mute.
But here’s the truth no one tells you: You can actually romanticize the ordinary. You can take this “boring” job and make it yours.
You can add magic to the mundane.
I’m taking a lot of inspiration from my mother who worked in a 9-5 corporate job for almost 30 years.
This post is your gentle push to start doing that, without quitting, without changing your entire life, without waiting for the weekend.
These ideas will help you feel alive during the workday.
Let’s dive in.
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1. Create a Morning Routine That Feels Like a Ritual
I have a beautiful post here on how to create a Studio Ghibli morning routine.
Don’t just roll out of bed and check Slack.
Start your day with intention, not obligation.
Light a candle, play soft music, journal for 5 minutes, and make yourself a cozy cup of something warm (yes, even if it’s summer—iced counts).
Set your alarm 20 minutes earlier and turn those 20 minutes into your sacred space before the world barges in.
I’ve also found that sipping tea in a cute mug you like or writing in a cute notebook really helps just add that cozy touch.
Brew your coffee in a beautiful ceramic pour-over coffee set, instead of grabbing instant.
Pair it with a playlist you only use for mornings (think “Cozy Cafe in Paris”).
It’s not just a morning, it’s a mood.
2. Romanticize Your Desk Setup Like It’s a Pinterest Board
You look at your desk every single day.
Make it somewhere you want to be.
Add a few cute elements that spark joy, like a mini plant, a framed quote that speaks to you, soft lighting, or even a cute pink cat keyboard that sounds like a typewriter.
Also, keep a mug warmer next to your mouse so your tea never goes cold.
Use pastel sticky notes. Get a cute Sanrio Pencil Holder. Make it aesthetic—whatever aesthetic you love. I’m a huge Pompompurin fan so I have a lot of Pompompurin merch on my desk.
Even if your office is strict, your space can still feel personal.
3. Curate a Work Playlist That Feels Like a Movie Soundtrack
Forget productivity playlists.
You’re the main character in a slow-burn indie film, typing emails while melancholy piano or lo-fi anime beats hum in the background.
Have different playlists for different moods:
- Rainy Work Vibes
- Writing Emails in a Cozy Bookstore
- Corporate Girlie Who Secretly Writes Poetry
Tip: Use headphones that make you feel like you’re inside the music. Try the Sony noise-canceling headphones for total immersion.
I have these currently and I wear them when I commute because I genuinely can’t stand noise, it gives me major anxiety.
Speaking of which…
4. Romanticize Your Commute (Even If It’s Just to the Kitchen)
Whether you’re walking, driving, or working from home, make that “in-between” time sacred.
- Listen to a beautiful audiobook like The Midnight Library or The Book Thief
- Watch the sun rise through your window
- Make a stop at your favorite local café once a week
If you work remotely, get dressed as if you were heading somewhere special. Maybe a flowy knit cardigan and cozy socks.
It’s not about the distance, it’s about how you move through time.
5. Romanticize your lunch breaks like a solo date
No more eating while scrolling through spreadsheets.
Step away.
Plate your lunch like you’re dining at a tiny countryside café. Use real plates. Light a candle. Eat by a window if you can. Or take your food outside and let your skin soak in a little sun.
Example: Bring a paperback book like “The Comfort Book” by Matt Haig and read while sipping soup.
I’ve gifted this book to so many people, because it’s just that soft and refreshing.
Your lunch break can be your reset button, not just a refueling stop.
6. Romanticize Your To-Do List With Pretty Stationery
Writing things down can be therapeutic when you use tools that make you smile.
Get yourself a daily planner that has space for notes, thoughts, and doodles. Use colored pens or washi tape. Stick inspiring quotes at the top of your pages.
Example: Instead of “reply to emails,” write “Clear out the digital cobwebs ✨”
Or instead of “team meeting,” write “Catch up with the lovely humans.”
You’re not just surviving the day.
You’re curating it.
7. Romanticize the people you work with (yes, even them)
Sometimes we forget that everyone around us is human—struggling, thriving, living complex lives.
Start noticing tiny things about your coworkers or teammates: the way one always says “take care,” how another has the cutest cat mug, how someone always remembers birthdays.
Example: Keep a stash of handwritten cards and randomly leave little notes for people who made your day easier.
It’s not about pretending to love everything—it’s about seeing the beauty in small human moments.
8. Romanticize your endings, not just your beginnings
How you close your workday matters. I have a nice Studio Ghibli evening routine here that you’ll love.
Don’t just slam the laptop and sigh. Create a little end-of-day ritual:
- Tidy your desk
- Light a calming candle
- Write down 3 things that went well
- Change into something soft and cozy (your “off-duty” uniform)
Tip: Keep a gratitude journal nearby.
Write a single line a day, even if it’s just “Today’s coffee was perfect.”
That small act of reflection can make the whole day feel more meaningful.
9. Build In Mini Joys Throughout the Day
Schedule a 5-minute “romantic break” into your calendar.
During this time, you can:
- Watch the rain for a few minutes
- Make a matcha latte
- Doodle something cute
- Reapply your favorite hand cream or lip balm
- Scroll through a Pinterest board that makes you happy
Even something tiny—like using a scented hand lotion—can make the day feel softer.
10. Rewrite the Story You’re Telling Yourself
Maybe your job isn’t your dream. Maybe it’s not perfect.
But maybe it’s also not the villain.
Your 9–5 is the structure that funds your dreams, that supports you and your family, that pays for your groceries and your next cozy sweater.
Start telling yourself this isn’t “just a job”, tt’s part of your beautifully imperfect life.
You are allowed to find joy in the routine.
You are allowed to feel enchanted by the ordinary.
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