No roses required: The subtle ways romance grows daily
Romance is not about grand gestures but everyday care and presence. Simple routines and gentle touch build deeper emotional connections between partners.
Romance is often imagined as candlelit dinners, flowers, or grand gestures. But its most meaningful form usually exists in quieter, everyday moments through presence, familiarity, and especially touch. Romance without reservations or roses is built through softness, attentiveness, and care that makes us feel emotionally close and comfortable with one another.
According to Aastha Khanna Bhardwaj, intimacy coach and intimacy director, romance is not created by occasions but by intention. “Romance grows through daily choices that nurture emotional and physical connection. It’s in how we show up for each other and how touch becomes a shared language of comfort and love,” she says.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Bhardwaj shares simple ways to build romance through everyday practices.
LETTING EVERYDAY CARE BECOME AN ACT OF ROMANCE
Romance often begins with gentleness towards oneself and one’s partner. Slowing down daily routines, being emotionally present, and prioritising self-care can quietly deepen connection. When individuals feel cared for in their own bodies, it reflects naturally in how they connect with others.
CREATING COMFORT BEFORE CONNECTION
True intimacy starts with comfort. When the body feels relaxed and at ease, touch feels instinctive rather than planned. Simple gestures like holding hands, resting a hand on the shoulder, or leaning into your partner feel warmer when both people feel nurtured and present.
TURNING REPETITION INTO RITUAL
Romance doesn’t always come from novelty it often grows through repetition. Shared routines, unwinding together at the end of the day, or familiar personal rituals can build trust and emotional safety. These moments of care create a foundation where closeness feels natural and unforced.
“Intimacy lives in touch,” Bhardwaj explains. “Often, it’s the smallest gestures a gentle squeeze of the hand or a lingering embrace that carry the most emotion.” Feeling comfortable in one’s own skin can make these moments feel deeper and more connected. Simple sensory experiences, such as using everyday bath and body products like Vivel’s aloe-based shower gels, which leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated, can subtly support this sense of ease and comfort.
ALLOWING CARE TO LINGER BEYOND THE MOMENT
Romance doesn’t end with a single moment it stays in how one feels throughout the day. Soft, comfortable skin and a sense of calm often translate into confidence and emotional openness. When care lingers, romance becomes less about planning and more about presence, woven into everyday gestures that feel sincere and instinctive.
At its core, romance without reservations or roses is about intention. It lives in everyday care, shared comfort, and the quiet language of touch. As Bhardwaj shares, “It’s often the softest gestures and gentlest acts of care that create the deepest sense of togetherness.”
Romance is often imagined as candlelit dinners, flowers, or grand gestures. But its most meaningful form usually exists in quieter, everyday moments through presence, familiarity, and especially touch. Romance without reservations or roses is built through softness, attentiveness, and care that makes us feel emotionally close and comfortable with one another.
According to Aastha Khanna Bhardwaj, intimacy coach and intimacy director, romance is not created by occasions but by intention. “Romance grows through daily choices that nurture emotional and physical connection. It’s in how we show up for each other and how touch becomes a shared language of comfort and love,” she says.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Bhardwaj shares simple ways to build romance through everyday practices.
LETTING EVERYDAY CARE BECOME AN ACT OF ROMANCE
Romance often begins with gentleness towards oneself and one’s partner. Slowing down daily routines, being emotionally present, and prioritising self-care can quietly deepen connection. When individuals feel cared for in their own bodies, it reflects naturally in how they connect with others.
CREATING COMFORT BEFORE CONNECTION
True intimacy starts with comfort. When the body feels relaxed and at ease, touch feels instinctive rather than planned. Simple gestures like holding hands, resting a hand on the shoulder, or leaning into your partner feel warmer when both people feel nurtured and present.
TURNING REPETITION INTO RITUAL
Romance doesn’t always come from novelty it often grows through repetition. Shared routines, unwinding together at the end of the day, or familiar personal rituals can build trust and emotional safety. These moments of care create a foundation where closeness feels natural and unforced.
“Intimacy lives in touch,” Bhardwaj explains. “Often, it’s the smallest gestures a gentle squeeze of the hand or a lingering embrace that carry the most emotion.” Feeling comfortable in one’s own skin can make these moments feel deeper and more connected. Simple sensory experiences, such as using everyday bath and body products like Vivel’s aloe-based shower gels, which leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated, can subtly support this sense of ease and comfort.
ALLOWING CARE TO LINGER BEYOND THE MOMENT
Romance doesn’t end with a single moment it stays in how one feels throughout the day. Soft, comfortable skin and a sense of calm often translate into confidence and emotional openness. When care lingers, romance becomes less about planning and more about presence, woven into everyday gestures that feel sincere and instinctive.
At its core, romance without reservations or roses is about intention. It lives in everyday care, shared comfort, and the quiet language of touch. As Bhardwaj shares, “It’s often the softest gestures and gentlest acts of care that create the deepest sense of togetherness.”