I’ve been blogging about Studio Ghibli a lot lately.
I’ve fallen in love with the whole concept of slow-living, so you’ll find lots of posts on my blog that discuss how to have a Studio Ghibli morning routine or a winding down routine, how to live like a Studio Ghibli character or even books with Studio Ghibli vibes.
Today, I thought I’d discuss Studio Ghibli habits that romanticize life.
Studio Ghibli films make you want to slow down and breathe.
- The way a teacup is held with both hands.
- The way the wind moves through grass.
- The way characters pause—not because they’re lazy, but because they’re present.
These films don’t just tell stories; they teach us how to live.
My life has become so peaceful after incorporating these habits.
They remind me that wonder isn’t reserved for grand adventures or travel—it’s tucked into the folds of everyday life.
So if you’ve been feeling disconnected or dulled by routine, maybe it’s time to Ghibli-fy your world?
Here are 21 habits inspired by Studio Ghibli that can help you fall back in love with the ordinary.
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1. Start your day with a quiet cup of tea
Or coffee if that’s your magical beverage. =)
In Spirited Away, Chihiro finds comfort in small rituals.
Begin your morning with a warm cup of tea, holding it with both hands. Let the warmth seep into your palms and take a moment to just be.
Don’t scroll through your phone or multi-task.
Just take it all in.
If you want to make the most of your mornings, read this book The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life. by Robin Sharma
It will change the way you approach your day and you’ll be able to make so much of your mornings. It will also make you fall in love with waking up early!
2. Take a walk without your phone
I walk sometimes in the morning without my phone, no music either.
Like Mei and Satsuki exploring their new surroundings in My Neighbor Totoro, wander without a plan. Notice the colors, the sounds, the textures around you. Let curiosity guide your steps.
If you want a good book, here’s The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker
Walker provides exercises to help you see the world with fresh eyes and actually get off social media. It’s a must for anyone who wants to drop off from the digital world and fall in love with the real one. =)
3. Cook a meal from scratch
Think of the lovingly prepared dishes in Ponyo or Howl’s Moving Castle.
It made me fall in love with cooking, to be honest.
Cooking can be a form of meditation. Chop vegetables slowly. Stir with care. Savor the process as much as the result.
Smell the aromas while you’re cooking. It’s a beautiful way to connect with your food.
If you love food, get this beautiful Studio Ghibli cookbook. I bought it a while ago and I’ve recreated almost every recipe for my partner and me.
4. Keep a nature journal
In Princess Mononoke, the natural world is alive and sacred.
I took this online course the other day to learn how to watercolor birds and I fell in love with just nature journaling.
It’s such a meditative activity and it’s very calming to watch and draw nature in your book.
Start a journal to sketch or write about the plants, animals, and skies you encounter.
It’s a way to deepen your connection to the earth.
I love this book The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws
It’s such a beautiful guide and it will make you fall in love with the whole process of journaling about nature!
5. Create a cozy nook
Remember the warm, inviting spaces in Ghibli films?
Carve out a corner in your home with soft lighting, cushions, and your favorite books. A sanctuary for daydreaming and rest.
If you want some inspiration, read The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
This book is all about coziness and it will inspire you to bring more warmth into your life.
6. Write letters by hand
I do this with my close friends and family.
In an age of instant messages, take time to write a letter.
Like the characters in Whisper of the Heart, express your thoughts with pen and paper. It’s a beautiful way to connect with people.
Moreover, people treasure physical letters.
It’s a lost art. Let’s bring it back!
I also recommend reading To the Letter: A Celebration of the Lost Art of Letter Writing by Simon Garfield
Garfield explores the history and charm of handwritten letters and it’s a good read!
7. Practice mindful cleaning
Cleaning scenes in Ghibli films are almost sacred. Approach tidying as an act of care, not chore. Put on music, open windows, and let the process refresh your space and mind.
There are 2 books I highly recommend: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and A Monk’s guide to a Clean House and Mind.
Kondo’s method turns decluttering into a joyful, mindful practice and the second book I mentioned will help you make cleaning a daily habit. It’s so simple, yet beautiful.
8. Watch the sky
Characters often gaze at the sky, lost in thought – why?
I always thought it was simply being poetic, but it’s meditative.
It helps you disconnect and this provides you clarity. I’m not kidding.
As I’ve entered my 30s, I’ve begun to realize the importance of doing absolutely nothing.
Take a moment each day to look up. Notice the clouds, the colors, the vastness. It’s a gentle reminder of the world’s beauty.
9. Listen to the sounds around you
From rustling leaves to distant trains, Ghibli films are rich with ambient sounds.
This gives you all the more reason to not listen to music all the time.
It’s okay to not fill in every gap with TV or a podcast.
It’s okay to take a break and just have spaces.
Close your eyes and tune into your environment.
Let the natural soundtrack ground you.
10. Embrace solitude
All my life, I wanted to be in a relationship.
And as beautiful the experience is, I feel it’s important to be alone once in a while.
Characters like Nausicaä find strength in solitude.
Spend time alone without distractions. Reflect, create, or simply sit. Solitude can be a source of clarity and peace.
It also gives you a chance to carve out your own identity.
I highly recommend reading this lovely book Solitude: A Return to the Self by Anthony Storr
Storr discusses the creative and restorative power of being alone. It’s wonderful.
11. Engage in slow crafting
This means, take the time to enjoy a slow hobby.
We’re so used to perfectionism – maybe it’s time to become a student again!
Whether it’s knitting, painting, or woodworking, immerse yourself in a hands-on activity.
Using your hands actually helps you increase happiness.
Like the meticulous work seen in Ghibli films, crafting can be meditative and fulfilling.
📘 Recommended Read: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno
Zen monk Masuno offers practical advice for a more mindful, creative life.
12. Read by candlelight/lantern
Soft lighting creates an atmosphere of calm.
In the evenings, turn off harsh lights and read by candlelight/lantern. I got this one from Amazon and I have it on my nightstand.
Let the gentle glow soothe your senses.
If you want to make a more intentional home just by design, get this book In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki
An essay on the beauty of subtlety and the aesthetics of traditional Japanese life.
13. Grow something
I picked this up from my partner’s mum. She helped me with low-maintenance plants in my apartment that I don’t have to water constantly and they thrive even if you don’t have a green thumb.
Tend to a plant or garden, no matter how small.
Watching something grow under your care is a quiet joy, much like the nurturing seen in Totoro.
You can grow herbs that you use in your kitchen too!
Read this book called The Garden Awakening by Mary Reynolds
Mary Reynolds encourages us to create a bond with the land to restore its health and feel its energy and it contains the most beautiful art ever.
I highly recommend this if you want to get into gardening and deepen your relationship with the earth.
14. Savor simple foods
You don’t need to make elaborate meals.
Ghibli meals are often simple yet satisfying.
Prepare a bowl of soup, a rice dish, or fresh bread. Eat slowly, appreciating each bite.
Try reading Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen by Elizabeth Andoh
Andoh introduces the principles of traditional Japanese home cooking. This is an old book but it’s so good!
15. Keep a dream journal
Dreams in Ghibli films blur the line between reality and fantasy.
Upon waking, jot down your dreams. They can offer insight, inspiration, or simply amusement.
You can also journal your feelings.
16. Practice deep listening
When conversing, listen fully without planning your response.
You don’t always have to think of something clever to say to prove to yourself to others.
I’ve often found that you can build deeper bonds by building a good listening habit.
Like the empathetic characters in Ghibli films, give others your complete attention.
Here is a book that enforces this princible The Lost Art of Listening by Michael P. Nichols
Nichols explores how to truly hear and be heard in relationships.
17. Take afternoon naps
Finally, one I can do without even trying. Lol.
A short nap can rejuvenate you.
Find a cozy spot, perhaps with a blanket, and allow yourself to rest. It’s a simple pleasure embraced in many cultures
Final thoughts
There’s a reason so many of us return to Studio Ghibli films when the world feels too loud or too fast.
They don’t just tell magical stories—they show us that magic is already here.
- In tea cups.
- In laundry hanging on the line.
- In the way wind plays with your hair.
- In the quiet moments we usually rush past.
Romanticizing your life isn’t about pretending everything’s perfect.
It’s about noticing. Slowing down. Choosing presence over pressure. Wonder over burnout. It’s saying, “This matters. Even this.”
So try one habit.
Or try five.
Let them unfold slowly, the way Ghibli films do.
Because your life? It’s already a story worth watching.
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