As a person who’s always played violent video games or board games with friends, I knew a part of me always wanted to slow down.
Somewhere between growing up and trying to “keep up,” a lot of us quietly lose touch with the things that made life feel meaningful.
I’m not saying fast hobbies are not good for you.
But sometimes, don’t you feel time is whizzing past you?
We rush through days, scroll endlessly, juggle responsibilities, and tell ourselves we’ll slow down later.
But later rarely comes on its own.
That’s why slow living and cottagecore especially feels so comforting.
It’s not about escaping reality or pretending life is perfect.
It’s about choosing gentler rhythms. About letting yourself enjoy simple pleasures without guilt. About finding hobbies that don’t demand productivity or perfection.
If you’re in your 20s or 30s and feeling a little tired of constant noise, pressure, and comparison, cozy hobbies can feel like coming home to yourself.
These are the kinds of hobbies that make evenings feel longer, weekends feel meaningful, and ordinary days feel quietly beautiful.
Here are 17 cozy cottagecore hobbies that invite you to slow down, romanticize your days, and reconnect with a softer way of living.
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1. Baking Simple, Comforting Recipes
I have a partner, dogs and lots of hungry friends.
Baking is one of those hobbies that naturally slows us down.
Measuring ingredients, stirring batter, waiting for something warm to rise in the oven, it forces you to be present.
Cottagecore baking isn’t about complicated pastries or perfect results.
It’s about soft cookies cooling on the counter, or a simple loaf of bread filling your home with warmth.
I bake when I’m stressed. I genuinely love tweaking recipes and adding a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg in something and watching people enjoy eating.
You can make baking part of your weekly rhythm.
Pick one cozy recipe, put on gentle music, and let yourself enjoy the process instead of rushing it. A beginner-friendly cookbook like this cozy baking cookbook makes it feel approachable and comforting rather than intimidating.
2. Journaling by Hand
I do this to stay sane.
As a person who is constantly overthinking and is very anxious, writing helps calm my nerves.
There’s something deeply grounding about writing with pen and paper.
Typing is faster, but it’s not about being fast.
Journaling doesn’t have to be emotional or intense either, it can be soft, observational, and simple.
You can write about your day, the weather, a thought that lingered, or something small that made you smile.
Many cottagecore journalers treat their notebook like a quiet friend.
Some days you write a page, some days just a sentence.
The point is reflection, not perfection. Using a journal you love, like this vintage-style notebook, makes the habit feel like a ritual instead of a task.
3. Reading Cozy or Comfort Books
I love reading books.
Towards Christmas, I start reading more Winter Horror or minimalistic books to set the tone for the New Year.
Slow living and reading go hand in hand.
Cottagecore reading isn’t about racing through books or hitting reading goals, it’s about savoring stories.
Think cozy fiction, gentle memoirs, seasonal reads, or books that feel like a warm cup of tea.
You can create a little reading routine: a blanket, a candle, and a chapter before bed.
Or quiet weekend mornings with a book and tea. I just finished reading this books about books and it’s the best cozy book I’ve read all year!
4. Gardening (Even in Small Spaces)
I have a beautiful post here on growing a Studio Ghibli garden even in your balcony.
You don’t need a big garden or a cottage in the countryside to enjoy gardening, my partner’s mum taught me that.
A few pots on a windowsill, herbs on a balcony, or flowers in a small container count just as much.
There’s something magical about caring for something living and watching it grow slowly over time.
Gardening teaches patience and presence. You water, you wait, you observe. A beginner-friendly option like an indoor herb garden kit makes this hobby accessible even in apartments.
5. Embroidery or Hand Stitching
Embroidery is the definition of slow.
Each stitch requires focus, patience, and gentleness. It’s a hobby that naturally pulls you out of fast-paced thinking and into the present moment.
You don’t need to be skilled or artistic to enjoy it. Simple patterns, florals, or words are perfect for beginners. Starting with a beginner embroidery kit makes the process relaxing rather than overwhelming.
6. Pressing Flowers
Flower pressing is one of the most cottagecore hobbies you can pick up.
You collect flowers from walks, gardens, or bouquets, then press and preserve them slowly over time. It’s about noticing beauty and saving it.
Pressed flowers can be used in journals, frames, bookmarks, or letters. A simple flower pressing kit helps you get started and turns ordinary walks into little treasure hunts.
7. Cooking Slow, Seasonal Meals
I love cooking.
This isn’t about meal prepping or efficiency.
Slow living cooking is about choosing meals that feel comforting and intentional. Soups, stews, roasted vegetables, simple pasta, food that nourishes without stress.
Cooking seasonally helps you feel more connected to time and nature.
Using a rustic cookbook like this seasonal recipe book makes cooking feel like part of a gentle lifestyle instead of a chore.
8. Knitting or Crocheting
Knitting and crocheting are wonderfully repetitive, calming hobbies.
The gentle movement of your hands can feel almost meditative. You can work on scarves, blankets, or small gifts while listening to music or watching something cozy.
I watch a lot of Youtube videos because this doesn’t come naturally to me. And I love taking online courses to improve my skill.s
This is a perfect hobby for evenings when you want to unwind without scrolling. A starter set like this beginner knitting kit makes learning less intimidating.
9. Taking Long, Aimless Walks
Cottagecore walks aren’t about steps or fitness goals.
They’re about wandering slowly, noticing trees, birds, flowers, and changing light. You walk without a destination, letting your thoughts soften instead of racing.
Bringing a canvas bag or notebook can turn walks into a creative ritual. A simple canvas tote bag is perfect for carrying small finds or books.
10. Tea Blending or Tea Rituals
Turning tea into a ritual can be surprisingly soothing.
Trying different blends, brewing slowly, using a favorite mug — it’s a hobby rooted in comfort. You can even experiment with blending herbs or flowers to create your own mixes.
A beautiful teapot or infuser like this loose leaf tea set makes the experience feel intentional and calming.
11. Writing Letters or Notes
I write a lot of letters and cards to people I love.
I’ve developed my own inner circle of friends and they’re my second family. Buying gifts is nice, but writing and making gifts is even better.
Handwritten letters feel almost magical in a digital world.
Writing to friends, family, or even yourself encourages thoughtfulness and connection. It slows communication down in the best way.
Using pretty stationery like this floral letter set makes writing feel special instead of forgotten.
12. Decorating Slowly and Intentionally
Cottagecore decorating isn’t about buying everything at once.
It’s about adding pieces slowly like a thrifted dish, a lace runner, a candle you love. This hobby teaches patience and mindfulness.
I absolutely love my home. And most people get that when they enter it, they see my home and know it’s loved.
You decorate with intention, choosing items that feel meaningful. Small details like lace table runners can transform a space gently over time.
13. Watercolor Painting or Sketching
You don’t need to be “good” at art to enjoy it.
Watercolors and sketching are forgiving, gentle mediums perfect for slow creativity. You paint flowers, landscapes, or whatever feels calming in the moment.
A beginner-friendly watercolor paint set makes this hobby approachable and relaxing.
14. Making Homemade Bread or Dough
Bread making is slow, tactile, and incredibly grounding. Kneading dough, waiting for it to rise, and baking something with your hands feels deeply nourishing.
If you love Kiki’s Delivery service, this hobby is for you. 🙂
Even simple no-knead recipes count.
A basic tool like a bread baking kit makes the process feel less intimidating for beginners.
15. Collecting and Styling Books
Book collecting can be a slow, cozy hobby in itself, I didn’t know that until my late 20s.
Finding books secondhand, styling shelves, stacking them on tables, it’s about creating a home that reflects your inner world.
Adding gentle touches like wooden bookends makes your reading spaces feel intentional and warm.
16. Creating Cozy Night Routines
Turning evenings into rituals is a beautiful slow-living hobby.
Lighting candles, changing into soft clothes, reading, journaling, or stretching gently, it’s about ending the day with care instead of collapse.
Soft lighting like warm fairy lights can completely change how evenings feel.
17. Simply Doing Nothing (On Purpose)
I know we all have this tendency to do “something.”
Please don’t.
It will only create this weird feeling in your brain that you need to rest.
Doing nothing might be the most important hobby of all. Cottagecore slow living allows space for rest without guilt. Sitting by a window. Watching rain. Lying on the floor with music playing softly.
Choosing stillness in a busy world is a radical act of self-care. And it’s one of the most healing habits you can build.
Final Thoughts
Slow living isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing less, but with intention.
Cozy cottagecore hobbies invite you to live gently, notice beauty, and reconnect with yourself in a world that constantly asks you to rush.
You don’t need to adopt every hobby on this list. Just choose one that feels comforting and let it become part of your rhythm. That’s how slow living begins.
