Valentine’s Day—the one day when couples compete in the grand Olympics of romance. Fancy candlelight dinners, elaborate proposals, and Instagram-worthy bouquets that cost more than your monthly grocery bill. But what if I told you there’s a trend that says you don’t need to do all that? Enter micromancing—a new-age dating philosophy where love is measured in inside jokes, spontaneous texts, and perfectly timed memes rather than extravagant gestures.
With Gen Z and millennials ditching performative romance for something more meaningful (or maybe just affordable), micromancing is quickly becoming the go-to relationship trend. But is it the ultimate proof of love, or just a fancy way to rebrand “the bare minimum?”
Love In The Age Of Chai And Small Gestures
Think of micromancing as romance but with fewer financial liabilities. It’s all about those little, thoughtful gestures—like sending a meme that screams ‘us’ or remembering that your partner prefers their chai extra adrak-y.
In a world where even dating apps now come with subscription fees (seriously, what happened to free love?), micromancing is a refreshing shift.
It reminds us that romance doesn’t always need to be packaged in overpriced gifts or airport goodbyes filmed in slow motion. Instead, a well-timed “Did you eat?” text or a shared playlist of old Bollywood classics can say more than a thousand roses ever could.
Grand Gestures Are So 2000s
For years, Bollywood has taught us that love must be larger than life—think Raj running in slow motion to catch Simran or that moment in Kabir Singh where… actually, let’s not go there. But in reality, who has the time (or the stamina) to chase a train?
Micromancing brings romance back to reality, proving that small, consistent acts of love hold more weight than a one-time dramatic proposal atop the Taj Mahal.
Picture this: Your partner remembers how you always complain about your tangled earphones and quietly buys you a wireless pair. Or they save you the last piece of your favourite chocolate.
These are the real MVP moments, ones that matter in everyday life. Because let’s be honest—would you rather have an impromptu pani puri date or a once-in-a-decade “big” surprise that requires selling a kidney?
Is It Thoughtful Or Just The Bare Minimum?
Of course, not everyone is convinced. Some argue that micromancing is just rebranding ‘bare minimum effort’ as a dating trend. After all, if sending one “good morning” text is now considered romantic, then maybe the bar is truly in hell.
But here’s the thing—romance is subjective. For some, it’s an extravagant Valentine’s plan involving rose petals and string quartets. For others, it’s someone remembering their go-to Maggi recipe (extra masala, less water). If the little things are done with sincerity and effort, they are not the bare minimum. They’re just love, minus the theatrics.
Also Read: ChatGPT Answers: “How To Evade Bajrang Dal On Valentine’s Day In India?”
How To Micromance Like A Pro (Without Looking Like a Cheapskate)
Want to get into micromancing but worried about looking lazy? The key is intention. A well-thought-out tiny gesture beats a half-hearted grand one any day. The golden rule? It’s about effort, not expense. Anyone can buy an expensive gift, but remember their weirdly specific coffee order? Now that’s real love.
- Swiggy-ing their comfort food when they’re having a rough day (because nothing says ‘I love you’ like biryani showing up at their doorstep).
- Curating a playlist based on their mood swings (one for when they’re happy, one for when they want to rant about capitalism).
- Be a good listener. You don’t need Shah Rukh Khan’s dimples to be romantic. Just being genuinely interested in their rants about office politics is enough.
The Final Word
Micromancing reminds us that relationships thrive in everyday moments, not just on Instagram-worthy occasions. Sure, an extravagant Valentine’s Day plan is great, but it’s the small things—like remembering their dosa preference or saving them from a lizard attack—that truly build intimacy.
Instead of planning an extravagant date, maybe just send them a perfectly timed meme. Because, in 2025, that’s how we say I love you.
So, whether you’re single, committed, or still figuring out why you have three different dating apps on your phone, consider micromancing. Because in a country where “Did you eat?” is the ultimate love language, it turns out the best way to romance is, indeed, the smallest way possible.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: NDTV, Economic Times, Times of India
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: micromancing, dating trends, modern love, relationships, Valentine’s Day, Indian dating, romance tips, love language, small gestures, relationship goals, dating in India, love in 2025, quirky romance, digital love, meaningful connections
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
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