I’ve been loving this slow life I’m leading lately.
It’s beautiful.
You don’t need to live in a stone cottage in the English countryside to embrace the magic of cottagecore.
Honestly?
Most of us are in tiny apartments with bad lighting and a microwave we pretend not to use.
And yet — there’s still something wildly comforting about this aesthetic.
Cottagecore, to me, is not just about growing herbs in your windowsill or baking sourdough from scratch (though those are definitely part of it).
It’s about choosing a slower life in a world that constantly screams at us to go faster.
It’s about celebrating softness, handmade things, misty mornings, handwritten letters, and soup bubbling on the stove.
In 2026, it’s also about doing all this your way.
You can romanticize your life without quitting your job or moving to a forest. You can live with intention, beauty, and comfort, even with a 9-to-5 and WiFi.
We make the best use of what we have.
So if your soul is craving simplicity, softness, and something real, here are 10 ways to start living a cottagecore life right where you are.
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1. Start Romanticizing the Everyday Chores
Whether we like it or not, the second we start living by ourselves, chores becomes a huge part of our daily routine.
We can’t escape it, so why not fall in love with it?
Washing dishes? Light a candle.
Making tea? Use a beautiful teacup you love.
Doing laundry? Open the windows and hang it out to dry if you can.
Cottagecore isn’t about escaping daily life, it’s about infusing it with charm.
That means bringing mindfulness to your routines.
Instead of rushing through your to-do list, try creating rituals. Even wiping down your kitchen counters can feel sacred if you play classical music and use a homemade linen cloth.
Example: Keep a pretty ceramic dish soap dispenser on your counter instead of that plastic bottle. It instantly makes the space feel quaint and cozy.
2. Bring Nature Into Your Space (Even If You Live in a City)
You don’t need a backyard or a greenhouse. I’ve talked about this in my post on how to create a studio ghibli garden even if you live in an apartment.
A few potted herbs on the windowsill, a bowl of lemons on the table, or a thrifted vase with wildflowers can do wonders.
Surrounding yourself with greenery, flowers, natural textures, and raw wood reminds you to slow down and reconnect.
Example: Place a vintage-style glass vase on your dining table and change the flowers every week — even if it’s just wild grass or marigolds from the roadside.
3. Learn a Cozy Handmade Skill
Knitting. Embroidery. Sourdough baking. Pressing flowers. Candle making. Pick one.
It’s very healing to use your hands and actually increases serotonin.
It slows you down and anchors you in the present moment. It also makes your space feel more yours, little pieces of your time and effort scattered all around.
Example: Start with an embroidery kit for beginners and stitch a floral hoop for your bedroom wall.
Bonus? It also makes for a thoughtful, handmade gift.
4. Embrace Vintage and Thrifted Everything
Cottagecore isn’t about newness. It’s about stories. A chipped teacup, a lace curtain, a floral plate from the 70s — these are things that carry memory and soul.
Visit thrift stores, flea markets, or your grandma’s attic. Mix and match old and new. Let your space feel like a patchwork of found treasures.
Example: Use this adorable teal porcelain tea set you found for your Sunday morning tea. Trust me, it’ll hit different.
5. Start Cooking Like Someone’s Grandma
My friends call me grandma because I love taking care of people and nourishing them with homemade food.
Think slow, hearty, and made-from-scratch.
Stews. Fresh-baked bread.
Roasted vegetables. Herbal teas.
And no, you don’t need to do it every day — even one cozy homemade dinner a week can change the vibe of your life.
Example: Use a cast iron Dutch oven to make a rustic one-pot meal. It’s not only aesthetic but makes food taste like a warm hug.
6. Curate a Cottagecore Wardrobe (It Doesn’t Need to Be Expensive)
Flowy dresses. Earth tones.
Knitted sweaters. Aprons. Worn-in boots. Linen skirts. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe — just a few well-loved pieces that make you feel soft and earthy.
Example: Throw on a linen pinafore apron while baking or tending to plants. It instantly gives that “Victorian homestead” vibe.
7. Create a Reading Nook or Writing Corner
This doesn’t have to be an actual nook.
A cozy chair, a soft lamp, a warm blanket, and a stack of secondhand books is all you need.
Make it a rule: no phone in this space. Just books, tea, and your thoughts.
Example: Keep a floral throw blanket draped over your chair and light a vanilla-scented soy candle when you read.
8. Live by the Seasons (Yes, Even in the City)
Seasonal living is a huge part of cottagecore.
Eat what’s in season. Decorate your home with seasonal flowers or dried leaves. Switch up your routines.
Make winter feel different from spring. Let your life move with nature instead of against it.
Example: In autumn, make homemade pumpkin butter. In summer, dry rose petals. In spring, pick fresh mint for your tea.
9. Wake Up Slowly, Sleep Earlier
Let go of the “rise and grind” mentality. Cottagecore mornings are slow, gentle, and filled with small comforts — a warm cup of tea, a few pages from a book, soft music, stretching by the window.
Example: Brew a pot of tea in a whistling floral kettle while the birds are chirping. Journal for five minutes before checking your phone.
10. Let Your Life Feel Soft (Even If the World Isn’t)
Cottagecore isn’t just about style — it’s about softness. Emotional softness. Rest. Play. Saying no. Tending to your own needs. Choosing joy, even when it seems small or silly.
It’s giving yourself permission to opt out of hustle culture and build a life that feels like a warm blanket instead of a checklist.
Example: Start a “quiet joys” journal and list 3 beautiful, small things every night before bed.
A bee you saw. A smell that reminded you of childhood. The way sunlight fell on your table.
Final Thoughts
Cottagecore in 2026 isn’t just a trend, it’s a rebellion. A gentle, quiet rebellion against burnout, speed, and soullessness.
It’s a movement toward a softer, slower, more intentional life — and it starts with you choosing to live beautifully right where you are.
So go make tea. Pick a wildflower.
Light a candle just because.
You deserve a life that feels like home.
