My life has become so much better after slowing down.
I’ve deleted all my social media apps. I regularly see my friends (we’re all in our 30s, so we mostly meet to talk about books or boardgames), I kiss my pups and tell them how much I love them.
And this has dramatically increased the quality of my life.
There’s something I’ve noticed about getting older, especially as women in our 20s and 30s.
Life starts feeling loud. Rushed. I genuinely am not fond of the digital age.
I don’t know if you feel this too, but sometimes I wake up already overwhelmed. Before my day even starts, the world is demanding something from me, replies, tasks, notifications, expectations.
And that’s exactly why cottagecore has become such a lifeline for me.
It’s not just an aesthetic with pretty dresses and flowers like Pinterest or Tiktok portrays it; it’s a way of moving through life where you are mindful of everything you are doing.
It’s like giving yourself permission to live gently, to savor small joys, and to build a life that feels beautiful on purpose.
You don’t need a cottage in the woods or a massive garden or a Pinterest-perfect home.
Cottagecore is really about creating little rituals, tiny, cozy habits, that remind you to breathe and reconnect with the softness inside you.
So here are the 21 cottagecore habits that have helped me romanticize life again.
1. Start Your Mornings Slowly With Something Warm
You know those mornings where you open your eyes and your brain immediately starts sprinting?
That used to be me every day.
But I started making myself a warm drink before anything else, tea, coffee, hot water with honey, whatever, and it changed everything.
Sometimes I don’t even drink it right away; I just stand by the window, take a breath, and let myself exist without rushing.
Don’t check your phone, it will change your mornings.
If you want to make it feel extra cozy, try using a mug you love. I’m obsessed with these rustic ceramic mugs because they make even the simplest mornings feel intentional.
2. Light a Candle While You Get Ready
I like Christmas and baking scents no matter what time of the year it is.
I swear lighting a candle can shift the entire energy in a room, and in your mind.
It’s like giving your day a gentle beginning instead of an abrupt one. When I light a candle, the warm glow makes me feel like I’m living in a little cottage somewhere quiet, like life is softer than I realized.
It’s such a tiny habit, but it makes your morning feel sacred. I love using soy scented candles because the crackling sound feels like a tiny fireplace.
3. Bake Something Simple Once a Week
This one genuinely healed something in me.
Baking isn’t really about the food all the time, it’s about slowing down long enough to enjoy the process.
Stirring batter, dusting flour, listening to soft music while something warm fills your home with sweetness… it’s so comforting.
And you don’t need to bake something big and elaborate. Banana bread, simple cookies, cinnamon rolls, anything that makes your home smell like love.
If you want ideas, try my favorite baking cookbook this one because it is such a sweet place to start.
4. Keep Fresh Flowers in Your Home
This is one of those habits I didn’t think would matter… until it did.
A small bunch of flowers, even a cheap one from the grocery store, makes your entire home feel alive.
Every time I walk past mine, I feel this tiny spark of joy. Like, “Wow, life can be pretty.”
I put flowers in random jars, old bottles, even teacups.
And it instantly softens any space. If you want something effortless, this simple glass vase set makes any flower look beautiful.
5. Keep a Soft, Handwritten Journal
I do this because it’s something I’ve always done ever since I was 4. I do lose the habit sometimes, but my therapist encouraged me to continue and I can see how clear and level-headed I become when I dump all my thoughts into the pages.
I used to think journaling was only for major thoughts or deep emotions.
But then I started writing about small things, what made me smile, something funny someone said, a recipe I tried, a good book I wanted to remember, and it became one of my favorite rituals.
There’s something intimate about putting pen to paper.
It forces you to slow down and notice your life instead of rushing through it.
A pretty journal helps more than it should. I use this vintage leather notebook and it makes writing feel like a treat.
6. Wear Clothes That Make You Feel Soft and Pretty
I don’t mean dressing up for Instagram, lol.
I mean wearing things that make you feel gentle and comfortable, flowy dresses, soft cardigans, linen tops, earthy skirts.
Even if you’re just staying home, you deserve to feel lovely. It also puts you in the mood to do things!
One small thing that made a huge difference for me? Cottagecore socks.
I know it sounds silly, but these lace-trimmed socks make me feel like I stepped into a fairytale.
7. Decorate With Natural Materials
When I swapped some plastic containers for wicker baskets and added wood, linen, and little natural textures around my home, it instantly felt warmer.
More grounded. More peaceful.
Even something as simple as a woven wicker basket can make your space feel intentional and earthy.
I use these to store my dog toys, my tea packets, and even my keys in the hallway.
8. Drink From Pretty Glasses or Vintage Cups
Hydration becomes a whole vibe when your water is in a mason jar or floral glass. It turns a basic habit into a moment.
As a person who constantly forgets to drink water, I have to keep pretty bottles and glasses around so I remember to hydrate!
Sometimes I add lemon slices or mint just because it makes me feel like a character in a cozy cottage movie.
If you want something ridiculously cute, try this floral mason jar set.
9. Create a Cozy Reading Corner
Since I’m an avid reader, this is my safe space.
You don’t need a huge space by the way, just a corner with a blanket, a pillow, and maybe a candle.
A place where you can escape for even ten minutes. I can’t tell you how many times this little nook saved my sanity after a stressful day.
I like keeping a knitted throw blanket there so the moment I sit down, my brain knows it’s time to unwind.
10. Cook Simple Meals
I stopped ordering takeout after my gut decided to give me issues.
So, I cook all my meals now. And I don’t do extravagant cooking, all are simple 10-15 minute meals.
Cottagecore cooking isn’t about being fancy; it’s about being present and practical wherever required.
I like using wooden utensils because they make the whole experience feel rustic and comforting.
This wooden spoon set is my most-used kitchen utensil.
11. Add Soft Textures Around Your Home
Lace curtains, soft table runners, delicate fabrics… these little touches make your home feel romantic and lived-in.
Even one lace item can transform a space.
If you want an easy upgrade, this lace table runner makes my table look so pretty!
12. Play Soft Music Throughout the Day
I started doing this while cleaning one afternoon, and now I can’t imagine my home without soft piano or gentle indie music playing in the background.
It makes your space feel like a sanctuary.
To make it even easier, I use this tiny Bluetooth speaker that fits anywhere.
13. Keep a Fruit Basket in Your Kitchen
I mainly do this so I remember to eat fruit every day. It has helped me incorporate fibre in my diet!
Fresh fruit in a pretty basket just feels wholesome. It looks beautiful, encourages you to eat better, and adds that cozy farmhouse vibe.
A woven basket like this one makes even bananas look aesthetic.
14. Go for Slow, Unhurried Walks
This is only to clear your mind.
No rushing. No destination.
Just walking for the sake of noticing the world.
I love listening to birds, feeling the breeze, watching sunlight through leaves… it sounds poetic, but it honestly reconnects you with yourself.
I also carry a mini sketchbook so I can sketch a leaf/bird or journal!
I bring a canvas tote bag in case I find flowers or little things I want to take home.
15. Handwrite Letters or Notes
This habit feels old-fashioned in the sweetest way.
I still write letters, illustrate cards and send them to friends and family.
Writing a note to someone, even a short one feels thoughtful and grounding.
It reminds you that connection doesn’t always have to be digital. I’ve genuinely tried to incorporate a lot of old habits to make my life feel more meaningful.
I adore this floral stationery set for handwritten letters.
16. Grow Plants
You don’t need a huge garden.
Even a single pot of basil or lavender counts. There’s something magical about watching something grow because of your care.
If you use a lot of herbs in your cooking like me, grow herbs on your balcony. You will elevate the taste of your dishes!
A mini herb kit like this one is perfect for beginners.
17. Hang Clothes to Dry
The smell of air-dried clothes is unmatched.
And watching them sway in the breeze just feels… peaceful. You feel like you’re living in a storybook.
I absolutely love looking at this sight, my dogs will be sleeping peacefully underneath and the whole vibe is so peaceful.
You can get wooden clothespins like these for the full cottagecore vibe.
18. Use Warm, Soft Lighting at Night
Fairy lights, small lamps, lanterns, they make your home feel calming and safe.
Bright white lights can feel harsh after a long day, but warm lighting turns your evening into a soft retreat.
I use these warm LED fairy lights everywhere.
19. Pick Up a Slow Hobby
Don’t make this a thing on perfection, trust me.
Start slow and start only for the reason that you want to do something with your hands.
Embroidery, knitting, painting, scrapbooking, and flower pressing… these hobbies feel therapeutic.
Sometimes I do Sudoku or I get these cozy puzzles.
A beginner embroidery kit like this one is perfect if you don’t know where to start.
20. Tidy Your Home
Keeping my space clean is what makes me fall in love with my home. It’s clean, minimalistic with a few signature pieces.
I keep a certain amount of time in a day to put away laundy, dust surfaces and do the dishes.
It’s not about cleaning; it’s about caring for the space that holds you.
21. Savor Small Moments on Purpose
This is the heart of cottagecore.
Everything doesn’t need to be dramatic.
Romanticizing life means noticing the magic in ordinary moments:
a sunbeam on the floor, the smell of bread, the quiet of early morning, the softness of your blanket, the way your pet curls up next to you.
I absolutely love reading while my dogs lie against me. It’s the most magical feeling in the whole, wide world.
Life becomes beautiful when you decide to see it that way.
