I genuinely love playing cozy games.
And the more I play these kinds of games like Wingspan, Good Pizza Great Pizza or Stardew Valley, the more I want to emulate that kind of lifestyle.
Call me weird, but my friends seem to enjoy slow living too. =)
If you’ve ever played Stardew Valley, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say the game feels like a deep breath you didn’t know you needed.
It’s not about racing to the finish line or getting the “best farm” as quickly as possible.
It’s about those little, everyday things that make life feel worth living.
Planting parsnips. Making jam. Going to the festival just to stand around with the villagers.
Even rearranging the furniture in your cottage feels special.
And I think that’s why so many of us love it, tt reminds us that life doesn’t have to be big and flashy to be beautiful.
It can be slow. It can be cozy.
It can be full of small rituals that make ordinary days feel meaningful.
Romanticizing your life is really just about choosing to see it the way Stardew Valley presents it: with warmth, care, and a touch of magic.
So, let’s talk about how you can pull Stardew Valley off the screen and into your real world.
Here are 21 cozy habits to sprinkle into your days, and I promise, they’ll make life feel softer, calmer, and just a little bit magical.
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1. Start a Morning Garden Ritual
In Stardew, the very first thing you do every day is water your crops.
There’s something grounding about that, starting your morning with life, with something growing.
You can recreate this by keeping a tiny herb garden on your windowsill or even just tending to one plant you really love. I picked this up from my partner’s mum who loves plants.
For me, I keep a basil plant in the kitchen, since I cook a lot.
I water it in the morning while I wait for my chai to brew, and honestly, it makes my day feel like it’s off to a peaceful start.
A windowsill herb kit makes it super easy if you’re starting from scratch.
2. Cook Seasonal Meals
Every season in Stardew Valley has its own crops, and the recipes reflect that.
You wouldn’t make pumpkin pie in spring or strawberry jelly in winter.
In real life, cooking with what’s in season not only tastes better, but it makes you feel more connected to the rhythm of the year.
It may seem silly, but I’ve tried to incorporate this and it just makes me feel so happy.
For example, in summer you might make fresh berry smoothies or zucchini fritters.
In fall, maybe roasted pumpkin soup or apple cider.
In winter, slow stews that warm up the house.
It doesn’t have to be complicated — even just buying seasonal fruit at the market is a start. A seasonal cookbook can give you tons of inspiration.
3. Keep a Journal of Daily Life
In Stardew, the game quietly tracks your days, and looking back on old ones feels comforting.
You can do this in real life with journaling.
And no, it doesn’t have to be fancy, just jot down a few things: what you cooked, a funny thing someone said, or even what the weather felt like.
I maintain a health journal where I track my water intake, food, exercise and skin quality. I have a separate journal where I record thoughts.
But when I flip back through months later, I love seeing those tiny snapshots of life. This beautiful and simple simple lined journal is enough, no pressure for it to look perfect.
4. Forage for Simple Joys
One of my favorite things in the game is wandering through the forest and picking berries or finding seashells by the shore.
It feels… unhurried.
In real life, you can forage too, not just food, but joy.
Pick wildflowers on a walk, collect colorful leaves in autumn, or even keep little stones that catch your eye.
I once started putting random leaves and petals in an old glass jar, and it turned into this beautiful little “memory vase.”
It costs nothing but makes me smile every time I see it.
5. Light Candles in the Evening
When the sun sets in Stardew, your cottage glows with this soft golden light.
You can recreate that by turning off harsh overhead lights and leaning into cozy lamps, fairy lights, or candles.
Trust me, even one candle on the table while you eat dinner changes the whole vibe.
Suddenly it feels intentional, like you’re at a little cottage dinner party instead of just eating takeout on a Tuesday. I love using a soy candle set for cozy nights.
6. Bake Something From Scratch
In Stardew, you upgrade your kitchen so you can cook real meals.
Try that energy at home, not for Instagram, not for perfection, but for the joy of it.
Bake banana bread, muffins, or even just pancakes on a lazy Sunday morning.
One of my friends makes sourdough, and I swear half the joy is just how the house smells while it bakes.
That smell alone feels like Stardew magic. I also got this beautiful Official Stardew Valley Cookbook and I’m trying out the recipes in this.
7. Gift Something Handmade
In the game, giving gifts builds relationships.
And honestly, in life, it works the same.
Bake cookies for a neighbor, knit a scarf for a friend, or just write a letter. Since, I am an Illustrator, I draw cards and mail them to my friends.
Handmade gifts carry this personal magic that nothing from a store ever can.
If you’re not naturally crafty, you could still do something small like a handmade ceramic mug paired with a little packet of tea.
It’s about the thought, not the perfection.
8. Create Cozy Corners
Think of your Stardew cottage: little nooks with rugs, chairs, and tables that just feel inviting. I have a post here on how you can make your home feel like Stardew Valley.
In real life, this could be as simple as a chair by a sunny window, a blanket draped over it, and a lamp. That’s it.
Suddenly, you have a nook for tea, reading, or just sitting quietly.
One of my favorite spots in my home is literally a chair next to a plant and a small lamp. It costs almost nothing but feels like a sanctuary. A soft throw blanket can make any spot instantly cozy.
9. Walk Without a Destination
Stardew encourages wandering; you never know what you’ll find: berries, villagers, a festival.
In real life, walks don’t have to be about burning calories or getting somewhere.
Try walking just to look at the sky, notice the trees, or see what’s blooming.
The last time I did this, I found a street in my neighborhood I’d never walked down before, and it had the cutest little bakery tucked away. I got cinnamon rolls and my partner loved them!
That felt like a Stardew moment.
10. Collect Little Things You Love
In the game, you collect gems, shells, and artifacts.
In real life, you can create your own “collections.” Maybe it’s thrifted books, teacups, or postcards. Collections don’t have to be valuable, they just have to make you happy.
I love collecting books and Sanrio Merch – it may just be my weakness, lol.
I keep tiny trinkets from my travels as well, a pebble from a beach, a coaster from a cafe.
They sit on a shelf in a shadow box display case, and every time I see them, I smile.
11. Spend Time by the Water
Fishing in Stardew isn’t really about catching fish, it’s about slowing down.
You can recreate that calm just by sitting near water: a lake, a river, even a fountain in the park.
Bring a book, or just watch the ripples.
I once spent an entire afternoon by a pond with nothing but tea in a thermos.
It was honestly more restorative than any “big” vacation I’ve taken.
12. Grow Flowers for Beauty, Not Just Use
In Stardew, flowers aren’t always for profit, sometimes, they’re just pretty.
In real life, plant flowers just because. Put daisies on your table, grow marigolds in your balcony pots, or keep a small vase of wildflowers by your bed.
It doesn’t need to be complicated. Even a wildflower seed kit scattered in your backyard can give you months of color and joy.
13. Make Preserves or Tea
I love that in Stardew you can make jam, wine, or tea.
In real life, it’s so fun to make your own versions. Try simple herbal teas, a jar of strawberry jam, or even homemade pickles.
One weekend, I made lavender sugar just for fun, and now I use it in my tea. It feels so extra and cozy, like a little Stardew upgrade. A tea sampler box can get you started.
14. Change Your Decor With the Seasons
Your Stardew home changes with the seasons, pumpkins and leaves in fall, and fresh flowers in spring.
Try doing the same at home.
In fall, add plaid blankets or pumpkin-scented candles. In summer, swap in lighter fabrics and bright flowers.
This doesn’t mean redecorating everything, just little touches. One seasonal pillow or a table runner can shift the mood instantly.
15. Practice Slow Crafting
This is something I really started falling in love with in my 30s.
Crafting is a huge part of the game.
Try it in real life: pottery, embroidery, crochet, even painting, just for fun!
I picked up embroidery last winter, and even though my stitches are wobbly, the process itself felt calming. You can try with a beginner embroidery kit and see where it takes you.
16. Host Simple Meals With Friends
In Stardew, festivals bring everyone together.
In real life, you can create that vibe without the big production.
Invite friends for biscuits and tea or snacks. Keep it low-key. The joy is in gathering, not impressing.
One of my coziest evenings ever was just me, two friends, a pot of pasta, and candles.
That’s all. It felt like a Stardew night.
17. Care for Animals With Intention
Part of Stardew’s charm is feeding chickens, petting cows, or hanging with your dog.
In real life, spend more intentional time with your pets, brushing, walking, or just cuddling.
If you don’t have pets, volunteer at a local shelter.
I once spent an hour just brushing my dog while listening to music, and I swear it was therapy for both of us.
18. Watch the Stars at Night
At the end of a Stardew day, stepping outside to see the stars feels magical. You can do this, too.
Lay a blanket in your backyard or sit on your balcony, phone away, and just… look.
A stargazing guide can even help you learn the constellations, making it more special.
19. Learn Rustic, Simple Recipes
The recipes in Stardew aren’t fancy; they’re comforting.
Soup, bread, roasted veggies. Start learning easy, rustic recipes you can cook often. A cast iron skillet makes everything taste better, from fried eggs to roasted potatoes.
One of my go-to comfort meals is roasted veggies with olive oil and herbs. It feels humble but so satisfying.
20. Build a Gentle Bedtime Ritual
In the game, your day ends when you climb into bed. In life, don’t just crash into it.
Create a ritual, read a book, sip tea, light a candle, stretch. It doesn’t have to be long, but it sets your brain to rest mode.
Even a bedside lamp can help create that cozy “end of day” glow.
21. Celebrate Small Wins
Every little achievement in
Stardew feels rewarding: harvesting crops, finishing a quest, even finding clay. In life, celebrate the small stuff too.
- Did laundry? Great.
- Cooked dinner? Amazing.
- Finished a chapter in a book? That’s worth a smile.
I sometimes light a candle just to mark the end of a long task. It feels silly, but it makes me notice that I actually accomplished something.
Final Thoughts
Romanticizing your life doesn’t mean pretending it’s perfect. It means choosing to see the cozy, soft moments for what they are: little bits of joy that make ordinary days special.
Stardew Valley shows us that you don’t need grand adventures to feel alive; you just need daily rituals, a sense of rhythm, and a heart for the small things.
So the next time you’re feeling tired or uninspired, try one of these habits. Plant a flower.
Bake some bread.
Watch the stars.
Let your life feel like a Stardew Valley cottage, not perfect, but cozy, warm, and endlessly worth loving.
If you loved this, check out:
- 11 Books That Helped Me Embrace Slow Living (and Not Feel Lazy About It)
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- How to Live a Studio‑Ghibli Life in 2026
- How to Create a Super Cozy Studio Ghibli Bedroom
- How to Create a Cozy Studio Ghibli–Inspired Kitchen (Even If You Rent)
- How to Create a Studio Ghibli‑Inspired Garden (Even on a Balcony)
- How to Live Like a Cozy Witch: Rituals, Tea, and a Little Bit of Magic
- 25 Relaxing Hobbies for Women Who Need a Break
