If you’ve scrolled TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the “romanticize your life” trend. You know the ones, glowy montages of moms sipping oat milk lattes while their kids silently watercolor in sun-drenched living rooms.
It’s peaceful. It’s aesthetic. It’s nothing like my actual life.
Because over here? I live in a fourth-floor walk-up in Germany with two wild boys and the stamina of a half-charged iPhone. My kitchen smells like old frying oil and fresh basil (why??). My toddler just yelled “I HAVE TO POOP TOILET” in a micro-grocery store shaped like a maze in the old city. But I figured maybe I can romanticize the chaos too.
I lit a candle. I poured coffee in a real mug. I whispered, “Today is a gift,” while stepping over a LEGO landmine. And for about seven seconds, I convinced myself this was my soft girl era.
Then someone wiped red sauce on my white walls. Ketchup? I don’t think we had any at lunch so I am extra confused.
So no, my life isn’t calm or curated. But it’s mine. And maybe romanticizing your life isn’t about perfection. Maybe it’s about finding the magic in your mess. It’s noticing the way your child belly-laughs when you read them their favorite story. It’s knowing that sticky fingers and loud days still count as beautiful.
Need a break from the chaos? I got you.
I’m Clara Harper. American expat, children’s book author, mom of two, and walking tornado of mom-life humor. I write children’s books about emotions that help kids name their big feelings while helping parents stay sane.
My newest release, Shame Is My Monster, tackles those cringey, blush-worthy moments we all wish we could bury and shows kids (and parents) how to handle them with grace and giggles.
Looking for funny parenting content, real talk about mom life abroad, and emotional learning tools that actually help?
Subscribe to my blog at ClaraHarperBooks.com for updates, free printable coloring pages (coming soon!), and new book news.
Follow me on TikTok at @clara.harper.author where I now embarrass myself daily for free. It’s chaotic. It’s relatable. It’s what keeps me sane.
And don’t forget to check out all the books in my My Inner Monster series. They’re perfect for helping kids navigate their big emotions without requiring you to have a PhD in child psychology.
So light the candle. Drink the coffee. Romanticize your life, even if your soundtrack is Bluey, your outfit is yesterday’s hoodie, and someone just yelled “BUTT” from the bathroom.
This is your life, and it’s kind of beautiful.
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