15 Signs You Might Be Living A Cottagecore Life Already

There’s a quiet magic in the little things: the soft glow of a candle at dusk, the scent of a fresh, warm drink early in the morning, the gentle rustling of leaves blowing in the breeze. Sometimes, it’s not grand gestures but tiny rituals, the kind that settle softly into your daily life, that whisper the most about who you really are.

Cottagecore isn’t just an aesthetic; it’s a mindset, a gentle way of walking through the world. It’s a love letter to simplicity, nature, and a slow-paced life. You don’t need a roadside cottage, a huge garden, or a life in the countryside to live it. Many of us are already threading cottagecore living into the fabric of our daily lives. We’re doing this through things like cozy habits, thoughtful rituals, and small acts of creativity.

Whether you find comfort in a warm mug held between your hands, keep a favorite corner of your home for reading or creating, or feel a sense of calm when you rummage through old jars and fabrics, these soft moments, quiet and ordinary, may already be part of your cottagecore story.

In this post, I’ll gently guide you through 15 subtle, and sometimes delightfully familiar, signs that cottagecore living might already be thriving in your life. No matter where you are or how you live, you might discover that the Hollow is calling your name.

1. You Have a Favorite Mug, and It’s Basically a Security Blanket

   You reach for it without thinking. It may be chipped, handmade, thrifted, gifted, or just something you couldn’t resist picking up because it called to you when you saw it, but it just feels right in your hands. Every cottagecore soul has a comfort vessel.

   

2. You Light Candles Daily, Not Just for Special Occasions

   Soft lighting, warm scents, and the crackling of the flame bring you comfort. Ambiance is part of your everyday routine, not just an event for special occasions.

   

3. You Hoard Jars Like a Dragon Hoards Treasure

   Empty jam jars, cute yogurt containers, and mason jars of all sizes… You keep them because “I might use this one day,” and honestly? You probably will!

   

4. You Find Yourself Arranging Things Just Because It Feels Nice

   A sprig of greenery by the sink, a stack of favorite books by the window, a bowl of fruit left out because it looks pretty. Cozy intentional clutter is your art form and your happy place.

   

5. You Feel a Deep, Almost Emotional Need to Visit Thrift Stores

   You don’t go “shopping”. You go treasure hunting. And you’re happiest leaving with a quirky plate, linen top, vintage basket, or some fun decorative trinkets.

   

6. You Get Easily Excited About Seasonal Changes

   The first warm breeze of spring, the first firefly of summertime, the first crunchy and colorful leaf, or the first snowflake falling on your head, to you, every shift in nature feels like a tiny celebration of life and its changes.

   

7. You Bake or Cook as a Form of Self-Soothing

   When life gets stressful, you make a pot of soup, whip up some delicious banana bread, or brew something warm to sip on. Your kitchen becomes your sanctuary.

   

8. You collect Books You Fully Intend to Read (Eventually)

   You love the idea of reading just as much as reading itself. Cozy stacks, filled shelves, thrifted paperbacks, or just the smell of books alone, they make your home feel alive.

   

9. You Keep Plants- Even If You’re Still Learning How To Keep Them Alive

   Whether your home is a jungle or you proudly care for two hardy succulents, you feel a connection to greenery around you.

   

10. You Find Joy in Slow Hobbies

    Knitting, journaling, cross-stitching, crochet, sewing, baking, gardening, scrapbooking, pressing flowers. Anything that lets your hands create something soft, useful or beautiful brings you so much happiness and calm.

    

11. You’re the “Warm Lighting” Friend

    You dim harsh lights, use lamps instead of overhead bulbs, and instinctively create cozy nooks wherever you go.

    

12. You’re Sentimental About Small Things

    Pressed flowers, handwritten notes, old photos, pretty stones, or shells. Tiny mementos hold big meaning for you.

    

13. You Seek Out Nature Whenever You Can

    Even if you live in the city, you’re the one taking nature walks, visiting parks, sitting under trees, or pausing to admire the sky.

    

14. You Love Comfortable Clothing That Looks Soft and Flowing

    Aprons, cardigans, soft fabrics, flowy skirts, comfy knitted sweaters — you dress to feel like yourself, not for the trends.

    

15. You Make Your Home a Sanctuary, No Matter How Small

    Your space is a reflection of your inner softness. Little corners of peace, cozy textures, warm colors, and things that make you feel safe, secure, and peaceful.

    

A Cottagecore Life Is Built on Gentle Moments

Cottagecore isn’t something you force. It’s something that quietly grows from the way you cherish your space, your time, and the world around you. Whether you recognized a few of these signs or nearly all of them, the heart of cottagecore is already blooming in your daily life. Every cup of tea, every candlelit evening, every soft habit is part of your own cozy, intentional story.

Lean into what feels warm and peaceful. Celebrate what makes your life feel like a little Hollow of its own. That’s cottagecore, and you’re already living it. Remember, show the world your magic and whimsy and be the you that you really want to be.