Romance is typically considered to be totally cheesy and unrealistic. You think that you don’t need romance – you’re an independent, intelligent woman, after all — but even the smartest people can still benefit from some good old-fashioned romance. Here’s why being romantic is good for you (yes, even you):
- You should be vulnerable. Your vulnerability keeps you honest. It proves that you’re a real human being and not just a person on the other side of a computer screen getting creepy online dating messages. You want to be as honest as possible with the person you’re seeing or there’s really no point at all.
- It can lower your stress levels. OK, so this hasn’t exactly been scientifically proven, but it makes sense. If you’re spending a romantic evening with your boyfriend, you’re more likely to be present and really living in the moment. That’s something you definitely need, since life is so busy and stressful.
- Casual romance counts too. You might be shying away from all things romantic because you think they’re too cheesy, but you can be just as romantic hanging out at home. Order your BF’s favorite pizza combo and surprise him with a few beers. Download the new album from his fave band to his iPod before he gets the chance. It’s all about the small moments.
- Getting embarrassed is good. The happiest couples have weird/borderline adorable nicknames for each other and inside jokes galore. You shouldn’t be afraid to get a little embarrassing if you truly love your boyfriend. Those things create the best memories, after all.
- Love isn’t casual. The way everyone dates these days is way too vague and carefree, and that has nothing to do with love. Being in love isn’t a casual emotion or action. It’s announcing that you’ve found an amazing person and want to share your life with them. That’s a big deal. So you might as well get romantic.
- You won’t regret it. Did anyone ever regret a date night at a candlelit Italian restaurant? No way. You don’t have to go that far but sometimes getting dolled up and going to a fancier place and ordering something other than your usual nachos or burger just feels good.
- You deserve to feel special. You’re worth more than a guy who will put in zero effort. You not only should feel special every once in a while but you should want and need it, too. Your boyfriend should realize he’s so lucky to be with you and make you feel that way, too. It’ll do wonders for your relationship if you make him feel special, too.
- You can make the rules. If you shy away from romance because you hate the idea of getting flowers or being made a fuss off, then that’s totally cool. No one said you had to follow society’s ideas of what romance means. Create your own version.
- You’ll be unique. Everyone will think you and your BF are super cool because you’re skipping the boring TV/take-out combo and doing something different. They would be right. Who wants to be like everyone else?
- Romance is magical. When you dream of being in love, you want holding hands and long kisses and walks on the beach. You want magic. If you embrace being romantic, even just once in a blue moon, you can have that. And that’s worth every bad date.
