Romanticizing Romance?

 

Romance, for I’m not going to use the word love here, that’s far more deep and pure. So, as I was saying, romance. Ah, yes! That romance which everyone seems to be seeking in their lives right now. What about it?

So many of our social conversations seem to revolve around it. The humour, the gossip, random flirting, all of it.

Now, the great question comes. What is it that has landed ‘romance’ such a mighty position in the societal paradigm?

Everywhere you go this topic comes to greet you, either directly, or else disguised up so that later you get the references. And if you don’t, you’re probably a kid, never mind.

All in all, what is it that makes the idea of romance so romantic? Maybe, it’s the media we consume. It’s all over it, anyways. The movies, series, songs, even many social media posts, feature a romantic angle. All around, everyone’s pitching the idea of romance as such a brilliant one. That’s probably because that is what the audience will buy.

So, the youth consuming all this content worships romance leading them to have mislead aims and aspirations because we wish for what we see.

Freshly into college, I was greeted by a few distasteful facts. First, almost everyone is looking for a ‘relationship’. Second, almost all social conversations revolve around ‘relationships’. Third, even if you’re not into it, people around you will make sure to ship you, or get you imaginarily involved, ‘just for fun’.

But, who said single people are just sadly traversing through their lives waiting for the one person to come and propose. No, sir! We’re pretty happy on our own! Also, on my own is not loneliness, it’s solitude.

And those flagbearers of romanticizing romance may as well continue on their path, you’ll find more companions, I assure you. Just don’t try and pull the ones on the other side. There’s still a concept called pure and unadulterated friendship.

I’m reminded of an excerpt I read, in ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’, it goes…

“Here’s what I mean by building your own little sub-culture, I don’t mean you disregard every rule of your community…The little things, I can obey. But the big things—how we think, what you value—those you must choose yourself. You can’t let anyone—or any society—determine those for you.”

So, the society pitches the idea of romanticizing romance which most of us do buy.

But, we do have, all along, the choice of not buying that culture. Romanticize the sunrays filtering down from the tree leaves, that one friendly kitten on the street, your early morning cuppa, your parents’ silly banters, your friend’s dumb actions, maybe even your professor’s early morning rant on ‘Irresponsible Youth’. Point is, you can romanticize anything, from the shape of the clouds to the tinde ki sabzi for dinner (alright, maybe not the last one), if you choose to! For the culture can change only if you refuse to buy it. Maybe we can create our own culture, what do you think?

P.S. The reason I’ve not used the word love instead of romance anywhere here, is that, love should not be confused with romance. Love is the purest feeling possible. And that, we know for sure, is not what’s being pitched.