3 Ways to Romanticize 2026 (in Toronto) Without Reinventing Yourself

2026. Seems so daunting. We’re no longer in the era of cheesy, sweet rom-coms, yoyos, banger songs like PPAP or Gangnam Style, Disney shows like Wizards of Waverly Place and Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and celebrities speaking their true minds in interviews. But we’re also not in the era of skinny jeans, high-puffed hairstyles, & duck-faced selfies (thank God!).

As a 24-year-old GenZ trying to find her place in the world, it feels like we’re stuck in an in-between where nostalgia aches louder than hope, trends move faster than meaning, and growing up feels less like a milestone and more like something that quietly happened to us (with a little help from the pandemic). 

So, in these uncertain times, how do we romanticize this new year? And I don’t mean “let’s reinvent our whole personalities and set goals we’ll forget in 3 days” kind of way. I mean in a more meaningful way that we can actually carry forward with us through the year, or that can carry us forward through the year.

Here are 3 ways in which you can romanticize 2026 without reinventing yourself –

Please Note: The ideas are supported by activities you can do in Toronto. However, at their core, they can be done in whichever beautiful part of the world you’re from.

1. Prioritize Your Experiences Over Material Things

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. True happiness lies in good experiences. This is not to say that you should never spoil yourself and get yourself something materialistic like that dress, book, or glasses you’ve been eyeing forever.

But when you think about it, we always feel happier when we experience something like bonding with a stranger in the subway over a book than buying the book itself. So, go experience!

Must-Try in Toronto: Grab a friend & walk down Spadina Ave, eating all the delicious street food on your way. My personal favorites are Banh Mi Nguyen Huong and Juicy Dumpling. If you’re in the mood for a sweet snack, drop by Hodo Kwaja near Christie Station for the warmest walnut cakes!

2. Plan Activities that Make You Smile

Something I learned over the last year was that my time is my most cherished possession. And so I want to mindfully use it well. Social media does a great job of telling us of the hundreds of “cool” things we can do in the city, but if we try to only do the ones we would genuinely enjoy, it would make our lives so much richer.

Like, for me, I would much rather spend my Saturday at an indie film festival or a cute, little café or winery than at a concert or club. So, spend your time wisely doing things that actually make you happy, rather than just saying yes to every plan because Instagram makes it look cool.

Must-Try in Toronto: Spend an afternoon at the Hopeless Romantic Bookstore or an evening ice-skating at Harbourfront (p.s. - skate rentals are free on the weekends)

3. Give Yourself Time to Relax

Most importantly, give yourself time to unwind and relax. I know you’ve probably heard this a million times already, but take it seriously this year. Set aside time for yourself to do nothing, to rot and binge-watch something, or to just take naps all day long. Whatever makes you truly relaxed.

I’m going to be honest, I really sucked at this in the last year, but as the year came to an end, I started prioritizing my rest, even if that meant saying no to people and plans. And even though it felt like such a big deal at the time, I knew I had made the right decision when I didn’t feel stressed out while falling to sleep at night. 

Must-Try in Toronto: If you feel like stepping out to reset, go for a snowy walk at Evergreen Brickworks, and grab some hot chocolate while you’re there. But don’t forget your snow boots and warm gloves, as the trail can be a bit slippery around this time of the year. They even provide free shuttle services from Broadview Station if you’re taking public transit!

So, those are 3 things you can do to romanticize 2026 in a way that feels soft, subtle, and not life-changing in the harshest sense. At the end of the day, romanticizing life doesn’t always have to be aesthetic; it just needs to be intentional.

And now to you, what's one way you will romanticize 2026? I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments below.

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~ helzeee 💛