As a girl who grew up with home-steading parents, I promise it is not anywhere near as glamorous as it is portrayed to be online. Raising animals and bees, and growing your own food is HARD (and sweaty and dirty and often stinky😂). I think your adapted version of this lifestyle seems actually much more pleasant. I would love to adopt some of your habits 😊
Facts!! Haha I currently homestead, and it makes me laugh when people seemingly assume I sit around eating bonbons all day. It does help to be gentle with yourself, not expect to do everything overnight and accept that you will likely never be fully self-sufficient. The idea certainly sounds cool, but it's not particularly realistic unless you're in a community that can delegate tasks among families/neighbors - not one family trying to do EVERYTHING for themselves.
@@shepherdessofskymeadow Self sufficiency is overrated anyway. It's good to acknowledge that we are always connected to other people and to rely on each other to an extent.
@@CampingforCool41 Exactly! It's really empowering to become aware of the many things you *could* do for yourself that you may not have been consciously aware of, and to learn new skills, but part of that whole process is weighing effort/reward and consciously choosing which things do yourself and which ones to continue delegating to others who can do them better. I can make my own dresses and such, but I'm not skilled enough to make a tailored suit for my partner to wear at our wedding. I can make herbal tinctures but I wouldn't know the first thing about distilling my own vodka! I don't have the land or infrastructure to keep cows, but I can trade some of the skills from my ecommerce background to help my farmer neighbor maintain her website in exchange for a box of grass-fed beef. I do what I can and make do as much as possible so that I can outsource thoughtfully when needed. Putting pressure on yourself to become a complete island does not strike me as particularly healthy. We all need each other :)
I think there's a deep reason why things like "back to the land" and "earthy crunchy" and "cottagecore" seem to cycle through our consciousness as "trends," but really they're all versions of the same truth inherent within us. We come from nature and we are nature, so when we feel lost or frazzled or in despair, it's only natural we would feel called to return to her. I especially appreciate your last point about not waiting around for your life to adhere to some vague "ideal" in order to start welcoming in the activities that put a smile on your face and give you that sense of rooted coziness and comfort. As someone who left a lifetime of city living and now lives on a homestead, I can tell you that even when you're doing things you once only dreamed of, that sense of comparison, or not being sure how certain things fit into your life, never goes away. Even when you live in the woods and have an apple orchard and chickens and forage herbs and are ostensibly living a cottagecore dream life, there are still many moments of stress or anxiety or hard work or things that aren't "aesthetic" or whatever. Perfection is a moving target. But you can welcome contentment and nostalgia into your life now wherever you are. If you read all this, thank you and I hope you're having a wonderful day
This is all so beautifully written, thank you for sharing ❤️ I agree with everything you said. Especially that perfection or the ideal is a moving target. 👌 Thank YOU for putting time into writing this for us to read 😌
One day i will be able to cut ties with gaslighting family and move away to finally slow live in peace. Hate the mindset of "if you've got time to sit and do nothing, you should be working"
Thank you for sharing 💕 I watch Patrick Teahan on UA-cam and he has a lot of info on toxic family systems and techniques to navigate life (as well as cutting ties with family) and it's helped me a lot. Wanted to share in case his content could help you too 🤗 Thank you for commenting, I appreciate it so much.
Great, glad you reclaimed your life Froggo! Do you have any tips for others who want to get away from toxic family? I'm a caregiver for my dad and my older sisters just barely help out because they are so consumed with there own stuff. My idea was to leave detailed instructions and contact information for the necessary people for them to contact if my dad needs anything. Then take a leave of absence for a short time and not ever come back. And let them figure the rest out and stop being their scapegoat.
@@CassandraEvergreen I watch Patrick Teahan and took his workshop on navigating a family cut off in August 2022. It was great but since I'm a family caregiver I barely get paid and can't financially manage a family cut off. So I'm trying to find a way to get a job and start the little business that I wanted to do for so many years.
@@minimallyleah7208 That sounds so hard Leah, I'm sorry you are going through that. I'm not a professional so I'm not sure about the best course of action. I would recommend talking to a therapist about it if possible so that they can help you decide on the healthiest course of action and approach. They may even give you resources on finding a suitable job. I'm not sure which country you are in, but there may be free chats or mental health phone services that you can use to talk to a therapist for free in your country. I would try googling it to see what pops up for your location. I truly wish you all the best and I hope you find a way to work on your small business. Xx
In 2021 I moved to a small town on a lake and river , walking trails are readily available, a beach. I just sit on the waters edge and watch people and boats, read, or just rest my eyes. I sold almost everything I had in order to live simple. It’s a simple and freeing lifestyle. I’m retired with most days there are no alarms set. I enjoyed your video.
I love how you said that having nothing planned doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s UP FOR THE TAKING and sometimes those around us fail to realize that, and even feel entitled to decide for us how to spend our unplanned time.
Definitely. I use scenarios like this as opportunities to let people know that I prioritise my time for myself and I can make time for them without compromising that. 🙂 Takes practice and a bit of courage sometimes though!
@@CassandraEvergreen I don't even tell people I have "no plans." When asked, I tell them either, "thank you for inviting me but I am afraid I can't" or "I have plans already that I cannot break." Both are true. My "me time" is as important (if not more so) than time spent in commitments to others or labor. Nobody is entitled to an explanation of how you spend your time, as it becomes justification of how your plans are more important than what they want you to do. None of their business. It's your life. Live it by your own rules. Anyone who doesn't get it needs to be reconsidered as part of your world.
For real. the same thing has happened with my partner and myself - but not with unplanned personal space - with our actual work time because we work from home. For some reason, people around us have believed that means we have all the time in the world to do whatever they want - and it's been expected and they have gotten quite angry when things got to a point we'd lost so much work time we HAD to defend it or we'd be screwed. In the end, they kept imagining we were playing or we could do our work whenever. But we've had to work more hours a day than the typical work day where people can collect their pay check even if they cheat on their work hours and do whatever they want on their phones at times and collect pay for the time anyway, which isn't right to do but for whatever reason is tolerated. But in our case, if we don't get the work done, there is no pay. We have more on the line and with working a minimum of 12 - 15 hours a day, there is not a ton of flexibility of where we can shove doing it later to. It's been very maddening how we've been treated and even unplanned time is very important to decompressing and being calm and centered. So, the people that do this type of thing to others need to get a damn clue and stop it already. Great video, BTW.
I just love how cottagecore is about being present, close to nature, and having calming and enjoyable hobbies. I started a garden this year and I have to say it was one of the highlights of my year and helped so much with my anxiety! Thank you for sharing this video
Thank you for watching and commenting 🥰 I too found that learning about plants helped with my anxiety last year! I think it has something to do with fulfilling a primitive or inherent need within us 😌🍃
Slow down. Just slow down. For those living in towns/cities. Plan your day, so you never feel rushed. Planning my day so I don't have to deal with the many people driving with road rage.
I get kind of enamored with tiny house living and self sufficient type vlogs. Instead of just dreaming of one day running off and doing that, I've been working to transform my own home into the simple and peaceful place I imagine those to be. You emphasize that it's more than that though, its about adopting the habits and pace of the lifestyle you want as well without jumping through massive hoops to get there. Good stuff.
Yes exactly! Thank you for sharing 🥰 I'll be talking about this further in my next video as well. I think it's so important to think about how you want to feel rather than what you want to 'have', when trying to create a life you love.
The suggestion to visit a cemetery for open space may seem depressing or creepy, but it is a good idea. I am in charge of some old Victorian-era cemeteries in our area, and I agree that they are wonderful spaces to recharge, and you are generally welcome there. Check for visiting hours, posted at the entrance, most close at dusk (there is usually no lighting and it gets very dark, very fast!) Wander through the grounds and read the stones, especially if it is an older property. Seeing how short our lives really are can help ground us, and think about how we want our lives to be remembered when we are gone. How will people say we lived while on this earth? There is one family plot in particular that always helps me hit the reset button, where the woman lost all her children before the age of 5, and her husband was killed in an accident, leaving her a widow far younger than I am today. It makes me reconsider what I used to find important. Cemeteries frequently feature flower beds, birds, trees, and some have water features, and are incredibly peaceful. Don't shy away from a visit just because we were raised to think of cemeteries as spooky.
That's a very sad story about the woman who lost all her kids and husband. It is sobering as you say. We have a beautiful cemetery near where I live that has man made waterfalls and water features, paths and areas to sit and reflect. Thank you for sharing 😊
I've only recently discovered the concept of cottage core, but I understand the appeal. I've lived in small, rural communities for much of my life and really need the connection to nature, the seasons, and the local wildlife. Slowing down and living intentionally is more challenging in a world that measures your worth in terms of what you produce or earn. A health crisis in 2018 and resulting chronic illness gave me the unexpected opportunity to challenge myself to live according to a new set of rules. I will be forever grateful for having been given the chance to reinvent myself and to embrace a slower pace of living. Good for you for figuring it out sooner!
I grew up in a small English town and lived and worked in tiny rural villages. I have since moved to Shanghai (the furthest from cottagecore humanly possible), but still miss the feeling of the small villages. I hope I can implement some of this aesthetic in my daily life in a big city
The message of mindfully commiting to incorporating elements of the life you wish to live into your current life is valuable advice that could be applied to anything a person wants. It's freeing. It's choosing into joy.
England (I assume you are in England) is such a beautiful country, it's so green and rainy. I live in southern Spain and these past few years with climate change we have less and less rain and more and more drought. The country is drying up and we hardly ever see anything green anymore, other than palm trees. The rivers and lakes are drying up too, so going for a walk in nature here means mostly walking on bare rock now. The places where there used to be grass now only have dried up plants and burnt up plants (burnt by the sun, not by forest fires, although forest fires are also becoming more common and extensive every year as well). And no one seems to be doing much about it, I don't see any great commitments anywhere yet to reduce emissions and all that. So sad.
Sarah, I'm sorry to hear that ☹️ I live in Australia, and this video was shot in my local area. I agree, it is sad. All we can do is our part as individuals, since, unfortunately it's the corporations, industries and wealthy countries that are causing the most damage and could make the deciding difference.
I lived on a 4acre plot and lived the homestead life for 14yrs and I can tell you it's is a very hard way to live! No kidding it's a lot of work. I'm not saying it is without benefit, but being as self sufficient as possible requires ground prep, planting picking , pruning, prepping, preserving and selling is no easy task. Today at 75 I still love gardening and other self provisioning crafts but I do them at an easy pace
I can imagine! I like the ideal of bringing the elements of this lifestyle that you can into your current lifestyle and environment. It makes for a nice balance I feel 🙂 Thank you for sharing Glynis
Love this video so much. As much as I love the cottagecore lifestyle aesthetic, it always seemed so unrealistic and unobtainable. Thank you for sharing these small, practical ways to incorporate slow living into our lives x
I love this video!! You’ve put what I been feeling into words and it feels good to know I’m not the only one dreaming of a slow life. I will definitely be using ur tips. Thank you for your advice and video ❤️❤️
I'm so glad I was able to put words to what you've been feeling ❤️ It means so much that my videos are having the impact I intended, thank you so much for commenting 🥰
Thank you 😊 I bought a cake mix from my local shops and instead of using egg and butter as per the instructions, I used olive oil and flaxmeal (flaxmeal + water is a useful egg replacement), and instead of a cake tin, I used a muffin tin. Sometimes it's nice to cut corners and get to the best part. Eating! 😄
I loved this video and can really relate to you. I love the traditional home making life and practice that on a daily basis as well as filming my journey too. Thank you for sharing your journey, I have subscribed to your channel. Hannah xx
I’ve always been drawn to water. One of my earliest memories is of me dashing towards the ocean; carefree. Even now, I incorporate water as a healing source, whether it’s submerging myself in a bath full of water to ease away the stress of the day, frequenting my favorite nearby lake, or traveling to the closest ocean. I love your recommendations, especially the first! Great video!🤍✨
The ocean is such a representation of freedom to me! I'm the same, when I'm feeling anxious or need to clear my mind, I head for water, even if it's just a shower. Thank you so much 🥰
😮 a kindred spirit. I really admire the way you were able to put into words so many things I was trying to achieve but couldn’t exactly communicate. It also inspires me to keep living this kind of life.
i loved this video! i constantly feel the pressure that i’m not doing enough or being as productive as possible. you really framed not doing anything as something beautiful that i hope i can work towards enjoying fully! thank you for sharing
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you feel that way! I used to struggle a lot with this and sometimes still do so I totally understand. Reframing things in this way has been a game changer 💗
Yes! It's amazing what an impact the internet and smart phones have had on us. Even speaking from experience, I didn't get a smart phone until I was 16, I'm 27 now, but 16 years without was enough to contrast severely with my experience of connection and distraction now. I have to consciously remind myself to go back to simpler times.
@@CassandraEvergreen I think those of us that have had both worlds are vitally important to the younger generations who know no difference. The work you are doing here on you tube is so valuable. Thank you.
I love the way you show people that just because you can’t have every aspect of your “ideal life” doesn’t mean you can’t have any of it. This video reminds me that God has a beautiful plan for all of us, and slowing down to enjoy His creation, the quiet forests, peaceful water, and joyful moments, is a lovely thing. I pray that through you many will see that the peace we are missing and longing for is in Jesus. If you are reading this, I hope you have a wonderful day, and that you know that regardless of what happens in life, that God made you just the way you are, He cherishes you, and wants you to know Him! God bless ☺️
Very good advice! We lived in our dream cottage...built & planned well, but found we couldn’t control the noise or behavior of others in the vicinity (rebel grandson & domestic violent wife moved in with quiet grandparents-neighbors). It interfered with our peace. We moved into a *regular* neighborhood, planted lots of bushes, trees, created private garden spaces & have "that life!" Bring it into your life! Who knew?
Such a wonderful video ❤ love all of your tips and I certainly resonate with finding a water source. There is just something so calming and centering about it!
It's definitely more difficult for some depending on their circumstances. But for the most part I'm talking about finding pockets of time outside of work where you can incorporate the elements that you want and can into your life. Eat your lunch outside when you're at work, instead of listening to the radio or podcast on your way home opt for silence or music with no words to create a calm atmosphere, plan trips to the water on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Take the kids and get immersed together, get them involved. Cook muffins or bread or carrot cake on the Sundays when you have time. These are all just ideas, but the point isn't to make it another chore, it's to intentionally create moments off recluse that feel good for you and in a way that works for you 🙂 I hope that helps Catherine ❤️
Such a beautiful video and message. I just closed so many tabs on the browser on my phone. Not sure why I thought I’d ever go back to read all that stuff!
I have so many open tabs on chrome... Just in case "I will need that" Most pertaining tomy imaginary self 🤭 recipes, thing's to buy... You know to make life better! I'm going to try to get more in the moment instead of focusing on the future of the way I want things to be! I just found this channel and I'm loving it and all the comments from other creators I can equally enjoy and learn from ❣️
I love the suggestions you gave here, thanks so much. There's a place near my house I used to go with my sisters when I was a little kid, we called it the duck 🦆 pond but it's really a little lake. There's several lakes around where I live.
@@CassandraEvergreen you're welcome, I can't wait to go to the duck 🦆 pond soon. I'm excited to see what it looks like now, since it's been about 25-30 years since I've been there 😳🤯
@@CassandraEvergreen good point, I bet a combination of both. I'm hoping they fixed the pavement that got cracked up by huge tree roots. That was pretty dangerous to ride my bike on, at least when I was little. I'll let you know about the experience. I'm hoping to go sometime this week ☺️
Dear Cassandra, I’m so happy I found your channel! It’s fantastic to find a kindred spirit who is also sharing her cottagecore lifestyle on a growing UA-cam channel - I instantly subscribed! ❤ I love the advice you are giving in this video, especially leaving some empty space on our calendars as well as adopting the cottagecore elements that fit into our lives, even if we don't own a cabin in the woods. I am actually in this very moment editing the European winter version of this video, showing how we can live cottagecore without actually owning a farm. Thank you so much for your beautiful content - can't wait for more videos! Sending much love and Happy New Year to you!❤
Liz! Thank you so much for this comment! I'm so happy to connect with a fellow UA-camr who is in the cottagecore space 🥰 I love the beautiful aesthetic of your channel and can't wait for more videos from you too. Happy new year 🎉
Hi, just found your channel. It’s 2am here in U.K. I really need to make more time for me, I’m so bad at saying no! Looking forward to watching your previous videos and your next one. Those cakes look delicious! Would you mind sharing your recipe please? Mo, U.K. X
Hi Mo! Thank you so much 🥰 I used an orange and poppy seed cake mix that I got at my local shops to be honest! And I substituted the butter for olive oil, and the eggs for flaxmeal (called a flax-egg'- mix flaxmeal and water as a binding agent). I hope that helps ☺️
Kind of a strange question haha. I've been implementing these aspects of the cottagecore lifestyle (also found in the slow living, intentional living and hygge-like esthetics- which are all terms used to describe activities/ ways of life that are meant to evoke feelings such as nostalgia, calm, confort and peace) for many years. It's just that I made, edited and posted the video 3 weeks ago 👍 It's not black and white, lifestyles are fluid. I was just sharing the aspects I try to bring into my life, for those who may be interested. Hope that helps :)
@Cassandra Evergreen Can I please ask where the sea area is? I gathered it's Australia and it's pretty far from me, that I live in Scandinavia, but it reminds me of other tropical places I've seen, it's very beautiful 🌸
Hi! Yes I am in Australia. This beach is along the east coast, however I don't want to say the exact location as this is my local beach. I hope that's enough info 🙈😅 Thank you for commenting 😊
@@CassandraEvergreen I understand, don't worry :)my intention was to delete the comment not to leave informations. Thank you. I am doing the same in Sweden but planning to move to a warmer country
I would love to adapt this lifestyle. But like what about work? I am 15 and I wanna live this life but how do you still make income and live such a peaceful life ASIDE from being an online influencer?? Because not everyone can be an online influencer. I really wanna live how you’re living, I wanna have a garden that grows my food and herbs to make tea :). But If I live in the woods how would I make money?
Hi Ivy 🙂 thank you for reaching out. I'm not sure if you watched my entire video, but I don't live in the woods and I don't even have my own garden! I live in a unit and do my best to adopt the aspects of this lifestyle that I can 🙂. In this video I'm showing people exactly what you're looking for- ways to live this lifestyle even if you can't live in a cabin in the woods or grow your own food. I personally have a normal '9-5' job and I make UA-cam videos when I can because I enjoy it as a creative outlet. In terms of career, I would always encourage you to take your time, don't rush into it which is often our instinct straight after school, and find something you enjoy. It's also okay to change careers and try something new when you need to as well. Take your time. If you want to live this lifestyle the complete traditional way, you'll find a way, but you have plenty of time. 😌 There are a lot of work from home jobs you could look into that don't involve being an influencer. Good luck Ivy 🙂
@@CassandraEvergreen THANK YOU CASSANDRA! Sorry I misunderstood some of the video haha. This video is such an inspiration because it really motivates me to adopt this lifestyle! Thank you so much for this advice I appreciate it
“Living in the woods” can mean living 1 mile outside of town, or even on the edge of town. You can still work in any career you choose, but probably best to focus on smaller town living. Don’t think of Cottagecore as your job…it’s a lifestyle that you live no matter what job you choose.
Great video, I just discovered you and subscribed. I liked the ending especially… the feeling of sitting in your lovely home and nibbling on a fresh cupcake. Thank you!
I've had someone else wonder the same, but I'm actually in Australia! I guess I have a knack for finding the lush areas! I've always romanticised the English countryside as well as the beaches I grew up on 😊
As a girl who grew up with home-steading parents, I promise it is not anywhere near as glamorous as it is portrayed to be online. Raising animals and bees, and growing your own food is HARD (and sweaty and dirty and often stinky😂).
I think your adapted version of this lifestyle seems actually much more pleasant. I would love to adopt some of your habits 😊
Haha 😂 I can imagine it is! Thank you so much 🥰
Facts!! Haha I currently homestead, and it makes me laugh when people seemingly assume I sit around eating bonbons all day. It does help to be gentle with yourself, not expect to do everything overnight and accept that you will likely never be fully self-sufficient. The idea certainly sounds cool, but it's not particularly realistic unless you're in a community that can delegate tasks among families/neighbors - not one family trying to do EVERYTHING for themselves.
Agree! LOTS of hard work, sweat and Tylenol. lol!
@@shepherdessofskymeadow Self sufficiency is overrated anyway. It's good to acknowledge that we are always connected to other people and to rely on each other to an extent.
@@CampingforCool41 Exactly! It's really empowering to become aware of the many things you *could* do for yourself that you may not have been consciously aware of, and to learn new skills, but part of that whole process is weighing effort/reward and consciously choosing which things do yourself and which ones to continue delegating to others who can do them better. I can make my own dresses and such, but I'm not skilled enough to make a tailored suit for my partner to wear at our wedding. I can make herbal tinctures but I wouldn't know the first thing about distilling my own vodka! I don't have the land or infrastructure to keep cows, but I can trade some of the skills from my ecommerce background to help my farmer neighbor maintain her website in exchange for a box of grass-fed beef. I do what I can and make do as much as possible so that I can outsource thoughtfully when needed. Putting pressure on yourself to become a complete island does not strike me as particularly healthy. We all need each other :)
I think there's a deep reason why things like "back to the land" and "earthy crunchy" and "cottagecore" seem to cycle through our consciousness as "trends," but really they're all versions of the same truth inherent within us. We come from nature and we are nature, so when we feel lost or frazzled or in despair, it's only natural we would feel called to return to her. I especially appreciate your last point about not waiting around for your life to adhere to some vague "ideal" in order to start welcoming in the activities that put a smile on your face and give you that sense of rooted coziness and comfort. As someone who left a lifetime of city living and now lives on a homestead, I can tell you that even when you're doing things you once only dreamed of, that sense of comparison, or not being sure how certain things fit into your life, never goes away. Even when you live in the woods and have an apple orchard and chickens and forage herbs and are ostensibly living a cottagecore dream life, there are still many moments of stress or anxiety or hard work or things that aren't "aesthetic" or whatever. Perfection is a moving target. But you can welcome contentment and nostalgia into your life now wherever you are. If you read all this, thank you and I hope you're having a wonderful day
This is all so beautifully written, thank you for sharing ❤️ I agree with everything you said. Especially that perfection or the ideal is a moving target. 👌 Thank YOU for putting time into writing this for us to read 😌
One day i will be able to cut ties with gaslighting family and move away to finally slow live in peace. Hate the mindset of "if you've got time to sit and do nothing, you should be working"
Thank you for sharing 💕 I watch Patrick Teahan on UA-cam and he has a lot of info on toxic family systems and techniques to navigate life (as well as cutting ties with family) and it's helped me a lot. Wanted to share in case his content could help you too 🤗 Thank you for commenting, I appreciate it so much.
Great, glad you reclaimed your life Froggo! Do you have any tips for others who want to get away from toxic family? I'm a caregiver for my dad and my older sisters just barely help out because they are so consumed with there own stuff. My idea was to leave detailed instructions and contact information for the necessary people for them to contact if my dad needs anything. Then take a leave of absence for a short time and not ever come back. And let them figure the rest out and stop being their scapegoat.
@@CassandraEvergreen I watch Patrick Teahan and took his workshop on navigating a family cut off in August 2022. It was great but since I'm a family caregiver I barely get paid and can't financially manage a family cut off. So I'm trying to find a way to get a job and start the little business that I wanted to do for so many years.
@@minimallyleah7208 That sounds so hard Leah, I'm sorry you are going through that. I'm not a professional so I'm not sure about the best course of action. I would recommend talking to a therapist about it if possible so that they can help you decide on the healthiest course of action and approach. They may even give you resources on finding a suitable job. I'm not sure which country you are in, but there may be free chats or mental health phone services that you can use to talk to a therapist for free in your country. I would try googling it to see what pops up for your location. I truly wish you all the best and I hope you find a way to work on your small business. Xx
I love the saying..time wasted doing nothing is not wasted time x
In 2021 I moved to a small town on a lake and river , walking trails are readily available, a beach. I just sit on the waters edge and watch people and boats, read, or just rest my eyes. I sold almost everything I had in order to live simple. It’s a simple and freeing lifestyle. I’m retired with most days there are no alarms set. I enjoyed your video.
That sounds so beautiful, thank you for sharing 😌
Where do you live?
Carry on girl... my life is similar and grateful for the peace that I enjoy also in my retirement...
I love how you said that having nothing planned doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s UP FOR THE TAKING and sometimes those around us fail to realize that, and even feel entitled to decide for us how to spend our unplanned time.
Definitely. I use scenarios like this as opportunities to let people know that I prioritise my time for myself and I can make time for them without compromising that. 🙂 Takes practice and a bit of courage sometimes though!
@@CassandraEvergreen I don't even tell people I have "no plans." When asked, I tell them either, "thank you for inviting me but I am afraid I can't" or "I have plans already that I cannot break." Both are true. My "me time" is as important (if not more so) than time spent in commitments to others or labor. Nobody is entitled to an explanation of how you spend your time, as it becomes justification of how your plans are more important than what they want you to do. None of their business. It's your life. Live it by your own rules. Anyone who doesn't get it needs to be reconsidered as part of your world.
For real. the same thing has happened with my partner and myself - but not with unplanned personal space - with our actual work time because we work from home. For some reason, people around us have believed that means we have all the time in the world to do whatever they want - and it's been expected and they have gotten quite angry when things got to a point we'd lost so much work time we HAD to defend it or we'd be screwed. In the end, they kept imagining we were playing or we could do our work whenever. But we've had to work more hours a day than the typical work day where people can collect their pay check even if they cheat on their work hours and do whatever they want on their phones at times and collect pay for the time anyway, which isn't right to do but for whatever reason is tolerated. But in our case, if we don't get the work done, there is no pay. We have more on the line and with working a minimum of 12 - 15 hours a day, there is not a ton of flexibility of where we can shove doing it later to. It's been very maddening how we've been treated and even unplanned time is very important to decompressing and being calm and centered. So, the people that do this type of thing to others need to get a damn clue and stop it already. Great video, BTW.
I just love how cottagecore is about being present, close to nature, and having calming and enjoyable hobbies.
I started a garden this year and I have to say it was one of the highlights of my year and helped so much with my anxiety! Thank you for sharing this video
Thank you for watching and commenting 🥰 I too found that learning about plants helped with my anxiety last year! I think it has something to do with fulfilling a primitive or inherent need within us 😌🍃
If you don’t really need to work for a living, of course it’s ideal%😮
Slow down. Just slow down. For those living in towns/cities. Plan your day, so you never feel rushed. Planning my day so I don't have to deal with the many people driving with road rage.
Great tip 😊
Be Here Now is the hippie philosophy I adopted 60 years ago and it guides me every day. Blessings on your path.
Thank you 🙏😊
I have arrived, I am home, in the here and in the now.
Love being near the water! =)
🥰
I get kind of enamored with tiny house living and self sufficient type vlogs. Instead of just dreaming of one day running off and doing that, I've been working to transform my own home into the simple and peaceful place I imagine those to be. You emphasize that it's more than that though, its about adopting the habits and pace of the lifestyle you want as well without jumping through massive hoops to get there. Good stuff.
Yes exactly! Thank you for sharing 🥰 I'll be talking about this further in my next video as well. I think it's so important to think about how you want to feel rather than what you want to 'have', when trying to create a life you love.
The suggestion to visit a cemetery for open space may seem depressing or creepy, but it is a good idea.
I am in charge of some old Victorian-era cemeteries in our area, and I agree that they are wonderful spaces to recharge, and you are generally welcome there. Check for visiting hours, posted at the entrance, most close at dusk (there is usually no lighting and it gets very dark, very fast!) Wander through the grounds and read the stones, especially if it is an older property. Seeing how short our lives really are can help ground us, and think about how we want our lives to be remembered when we are gone. How will people say we lived while on this earth? There is one family plot in particular that always helps me hit the reset button, where the woman lost all her children before the age of 5, and her husband was killed in an accident, leaving her a widow far younger than I am today. It makes me reconsider what I used to find important. Cemeteries frequently feature flower beds, birds, trees, and some have water features, and are incredibly peaceful. Don't shy away from a visit just because we were raised to think of cemeteries as spooky.
That's a very sad story about the woman who lost all her kids and husband. It is sobering as you say. We have a beautiful cemetery near where I live that has man made waterfalls and water features, paths and areas to sit and reflect. Thank you for sharing 😊
I've only recently discovered the concept of cottage core, but I understand the appeal. I've lived in small, rural communities for much of my life and really need the connection to nature, the seasons, and the local wildlife. Slowing down and living intentionally is more challenging in a world that measures your worth in terms of what you produce or earn. A health crisis in 2018 and resulting chronic illness gave me the unexpected opportunity to challenge myself to live according to a new set of rules. I will be forever grateful for having been given the chance to reinvent myself and to embrace a slower pace of living. Good for you for figuring it out sooner!
This is so true! I'm glad you've found a way of life that suits you best. Thank you for sharing 😊
A slower more intentional lifestyle is so worth it. Whatever that looks like to you. Mine was moving out the US. Walkable city but calmer. 🌻
I totally agree 😌 thank you for sharing 🥰
I grew up in a small English town and lived and worked in tiny rural villages. I have since moved to Shanghai (the furthest from cottagecore humanly possible), but still miss the feeling of the small villages. I hope I can implement some of this aesthetic in my daily life in a big city
Thank you for sharing 🙏 I hope you can too 💗🍃
The message of mindfully commiting to incorporating elements of the life you wish to live into your current life is valuable advice that could be applied to anything a person wants. It's freeing. It's choosing into joy.
😌❤️
I want this life and I’m working on it everyday.
Amazing, you've got this 👌😊
England (I assume you are in England) is such a beautiful country, it's so green and rainy. I live in southern Spain and these past few years with climate change we have less and less rain and more and more drought. The country is drying up and we hardly ever see anything green anymore, other than palm trees. The rivers and lakes are drying up too, so going for a walk in nature here means mostly walking on bare rock now. The places where there used to be grass now only have dried up plants and burnt up plants (burnt by the sun, not by forest fires, although forest fires are also becoming more common and extensive every year as well). And no one seems to be doing much about it, I don't see any great commitments anywhere yet to reduce emissions and all that. So sad.
Sarah, I'm sorry to hear that ☹️ I live in Australia, and this video was shot in my local area. I agree, it is sad. All we can do is our part as individuals, since, unfortunately it's the corporations, industries and wealthy countries that are causing the most damage and could make the deciding difference.
I lived on a 4acre plot and lived the homestead life for 14yrs and I can tell you it's is a very hard way to live! No kidding it's a lot of work. I'm not saying it is without benefit, but being as self sufficient as possible requires ground prep, planting picking , pruning, prepping, preserving and selling is no easy task. Today at 75 I still love gardening and other self provisioning crafts but I do them at an easy pace
I can imagine! I like the ideal of bringing the elements of this lifestyle that you can into your current lifestyle and environment. It makes for a nice balance I feel 🙂
Thank you for sharing Glynis
Cottagecore is not the same as homesteading.
good advice. Do what you can with what you have.
Exactly 😌
This style gives me a growth mindset. It gives me a peaceful Mother Nature feeling.
Love this video so much. As much as I love the cottagecore lifestyle aesthetic, it always seemed so unrealistic and unobtainable. Thank you for sharing these small, practical ways to incorporate slow living into our lives x
Thank you, my intention was to make the lifestyle feel more obtainable so I appreciate your comment a lot 🥰
Brilliant!
Thank you! ☺️
I love this video!! You’ve put what I been feeling into words and it feels good to know I’m not the only one dreaming of a slow life. I will definitely be using ur tips. Thank you for your advice and video ❤️❤️
I'm so glad I was able to put words to what you've been feeling ❤️ It means so much that my videos are having the impact I intended, thank you so much for commenting 🥰
So beautiful! And those muffins looks so good, will you share the recipe?
Thank you 😊 I bought a cake mix from my local shops and instead of using egg and butter as per the instructions, I used olive oil and flaxmeal (flaxmeal + water is a useful egg replacement), and instead of a cake tin, I used a muffin tin. Sometimes it's nice to cut corners and get to the best part. Eating! 😄
I loved this video and can really relate to you. I love the traditional home making life and practice that on a daily basis as well as filming my journey too. Thank you for sharing your journey, I have subscribed to your channel. Hannah xx
Thank you so much Hannah ☺️
This is the first video from you I watched and loved it! 😍
Thank you Sophie, I really appreciate that 🥰
I’ve always been drawn to water. One of my earliest memories is of me dashing towards the ocean; carefree. Even now, I incorporate water as a healing source, whether it’s submerging myself in a bath full of water to ease away the stress of the day, frequenting my favorite nearby lake, or traveling to the closest ocean. I love your recommendations, especially the first! Great video!🤍✨
The ocean is such a representation of freedom to me! I'm the same, when I'm feeling anxious or need to clear my mind, I head for water, even if it's just a shower. Thank you so much 🥰
Love this one! ❤ I like the idea to being elements into where you are right now
Thank you, glad you enjoyed 😌
You are the definition of true beauty inside and out. New subscriber
Wow, thank you!
My goodness these were all things I’ve known but needed to hear again. Very refreshing reminder! Thank you!
You're welcome Jennifer, thank you for watching ❤️
😮 a kindred spirit. I really admire the way you were able to put into words so many things I was trying to achieve but couldn’t exactly communicate. It also inspires me to keep living this kind of life.
Thank you so much 😊🙏
I love everything about this video. Thank you for that message 💜
Thank you for sharing 💗
This is such a beautiful video! I love seeing other small cottagecore creators🥰
Thank you so much! I checked out your channel too! Love the cosy vibes! 🥰
These are fantastic tips and a beautiful video!
Thank you so much 🥰
Wow wonderful life ❤️❤️from Uganda east Africa enyoing the slow life living.
Thank you so much for your comment 😊
i loved this video! i constantly feel the pressure that i’m not doing enough or being as productive as possible. you really framed not doing anything as something beautiful that i hope i can work towards enjoying fully! thank you for sharing
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you feel that way! I used to struggle a lot with this and sometimes still do so I totally understand. Reframing things in this way has been a game changer 💗
Great advice that everyone (especially nowadays) should hear.
Thanks Jake 🙂
Stunning! Beautiful video you deserve more views ✨❤️
Thank you so much! 🥰
This was a normal way of life for most before the internet and smart phones
Yes! It's amazing what an impact the internet and smart phones have had on us. Even speaking from experience, I didn't get a smart phone until I was 16, I'm 27 now, but 16 years without was enough to contrast severely with my experience of connection and distraction now. I have to consciously remind myself to go back to simpler times.
@@CassandraEvergreen I think those of us that have had both worlds are vitally important to the younger generations who know no difference.
The work you are doing here on you tube is so valuable. Thank you.
@@rebeccabriggs2982 Thank you Rebecca.
New subscriber from Victoria, thanks for this lovely reminder to embrace our dreams and bring them into our daily life now
Thank you so much 🥰
Love this video! ❤ thank you for sharing!!
Thank you for watching ❤️❤️
this is an excellent video. thank you for making it ❤
Thank you so much 🥰
This video is amazing ✨💞 thank you for sharing it
Thank you 💖
Anastasia amd the ringing cedars
🙂
I love the way you show people that just because you can’t have every aspect of your “ideal life” doesn’t mean you can’t have any of it. This video reminds me that God has a beautiful plan for all of us, and slowing down to enjoy His creation, the quiet forests, peaceful water, and joyful moments, is a lovely thing. I pray that through you many will see that the peace we are missing and longing for is in Jesus. If you are reading this, I hope you have a wonderful day, and that you know that regardless of what happens in life, that God made you just the way you are, He cherishes you, and wants you to know Him! God bless ☺️
Thank you for your kindness and the time you took to write this comment 🙂
Just found your channel. Love the video ❤️ thanks for sharing!
Thank you 😊
I was on a walk outside and just listened to this video a couple of times. You have a nice voice. Good pronounciation and a bit of calmness in it :)
Thank you so much 😊
Beautiful video.. love it!!!
Thank you so much! 🥹
I love this! I'm also pursuing this lifestyle:)
Yay 😌🍃
Very good advice! We lived in our dream cottage...built & planned well, but found we couldn’t control the noise or behavior of others in the vicinity (rebel grandson & domestic violent wife moved in with quiet grandparents-neighbors). It interfered with our peace. We moved into a *regular* neighborhood, planted lots of bushes, trees, created private garden spaces & have "that life!" Bring it into your life! Who knew?
Love this! Thanks for sharing Janean ☺️
I love the idea of making blueberry muffins every sunday
🫐 😍 I hope you add it to your routine Nadine ☺️
Love places of quiet contemplation! ❤
🥰
Such a wonderful video ❤ love all of your tips and I certainly resonate with finding a water source. There is just something so calming and centering about it!
I totally agree! Thank you for sharing ☺️
That looks like one of the best lives ever! Absolutely love your home 😊 thanks for sharing, much love from Singapore 💕
Thank you for watching Jemma! 💕
So much great advice. Even in my 50s you managed to remind/teach me a few things. Looking forward to seeing more on your channel.
Thank you Libby 🥰
love your tips!
Thank you!
I just subscribed! This looks like a gorgeous video, and I’m excited to dive in- cheers! ✨
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy 🥰
What I don’t understand is how would u support living like this if you have to work? I would love to live this way but I need to work.
It's definitely more difficult for some depending on their circumstances. But for the most part I'm talking about finding pockets of time outside of work where you can incorporate the elements that you want and can into your life. Eat your lunch outside when you're at work, instead of listening to the radio or podcast on your way home opt for silence or music with no words to create a calm atmosphere, plan trips to the water on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Take the kids and get immersed together, get them involved. Cook muffins or bread or carrot cake on the Sundays when you have time. These are all just ideas, but the point isn't to make it another chore, it's to intentionally create moments off recluse that feel good for you and in a way that works for you 🙂 I hope that helps Catherine ❤️
Such a beautiful video and message.
I just closed so many tabs on the browser on my phone. Not sure why I thought I’d ever go back to read all that stuff!
I have so many open tabs on chrome... Just in case "I will need that"
Most pertaining tomy imaginary self 🤭 recipes, thing's to buy... You know to make life better!
I'm going to try to get more in the moment instead of focusing on the future of the way I want things to be!
I just found this channel and I'm loving it and all the comments from other creators I can equally enjoy and learn from ❣️
We all do it! Thank you so much for sharing 🥰
I just discovered your channel and I'm truly enjoying watching your videos :) what camera do you use?
Thank you so much 🥰 I use a Canon EOS 700D that I got a while ago, and for the drone shots I use the DJI mini 🙂
This beautiful video gained your channel a new subscriber! 🌸 Not to mention, it’s also always fun to “meet” a sister redhead! 😆
Welcome! Yay red head clan 😄💃
I love the suggestions you gave here, thanks so much. There's a place near my house I used to go with my sisters when I was a little kid, we called it the duck 🦆 pond but it's really a little lake. There's several lakes around where I live.
That sounds so beautiful 😌 Thank you for watching.
@@CassandraEvergreen you're welcome, I can't wait to go to the duck 🦆 pond soon. I'm excited to see what it looks like now, since it's been about 25-30 years since I've been there 😳🤯
@@minimallyleah7208 Wow! I wonder if it will feel like time hasn't passed, or if it'll feel like a whole new place, or something in between!
@@CassandraEvergreen good point, I bet a combination of both. I'm hoping they fixed the pavement that got cracked up by huge tree roots. That was pretty dangerous to ride my bike on, at least when I was little.
I'll let you know about the experience. I'm hoping to go sometime this week ☺️
@@minimallyleah7208 Please do, I would love to hear how it went 😊
A really enjoyable video. Great ideas and tips, thank you for sharing.
Thank you, so happy you liked it 🥰
Loved this video! Hoping in a small way to add cottagecore and slow living into my home and day to day habits.
Thank you so much Tali 🥰
highly recommend having babies, living this life is beautiful
❤️🙏
Dear Cassandra, I’m so happy I found your channel! It’s fantastic to find a kindred spirit who is also sharing her cottagecore lifestyle on a growing UA-cam channel - I instantly subscribed! ❤ I love the advice you are giving in this video, especially leaving some empty space on our calendars as well as adopting the cottagecore elements that fit into our lives, even if we don't own a cabin in the woods. I am actually in this very moment editing the European winter version of this video, showing how we can live cottagecore without actually owning a farm. Thank you so much for your beautiful content - can't wait for more videos! Sending much love and Happy New Year to you!❤
Liz! Thank you so much for this comment! I'm so happy to connect with a fellow UA-camr who is in the cottagecore space 🥰 I love the beautiful aesthetic of your channel and can't wait for more videos from you too. Happy new year 🎉
Thanks…. Enjoyed hearing this today…. Def going to go make some yummy muffins and go for a walk.
Yay Robyn! Thank you for sharing 🥰
Great video! I will close tabs today!🎉
☺️💓
This video was so great! I really relate to a lot of this but also needed to hear it. Thank you ❤
Thank you Rosie ❤️
Very nice beautiful vlog. Thanks you
Thank you 😌
Hi, just found your channel. It’s 2am here in U.K. I really need to make more time for me, I’m so bad at saying no! Looking forward to watching your previous videos and your next one. Those cakes look delicious! Would you mind sharing your recipe please? Mo, U.K. X
Hi Mo! Thank you so much 🥰 I used an orange and poppy seed cake mix that I got at my local shops to be honest! And I substituted the butter for olive oil, and the eggs for flaxmeal (called a flax-egg'- mix flaxmeal and water as a binding agent). I hope that helps ☺️
Thank you so much xx
I moved abroad 5 yrs ago and now live along the Scottish sea side for 3x less than living in the states.
This sounds so nice! What a dream 😍
I tuned in to find out what is cottagecore. Never heard it before that I can remember. Neat video.
Thanks Thomas.
So you’re living the “cottage life”… since 3 weeks ago?
Kind of a strange question haha. I've been implementing these aspects of the cottagecore lifestyle (also found in the slow living, intentional living and hygge-like esthetics- which are all terms used to describe activities/ ways of life that are meant to evoke feelings such as nostalgia, calm, confort and peace) for many years. It's just that I made, edited and posted the video 3 weeks ago 👍 It's not black and white, lifestyles are fluid. I was just sharing the aspects I try to bring into my life, for those who may be interested. Hope that helps :)
@Cassandra Evergreen Can I please ask where the sea area is? I gathered it's Australia and it's pretty far from me, that I live in Scandinavia, but it reminds me of other tropical places I've seen, it's very beautiful 🌸
Hi! Yes I am in Australia. This beach is along the east coast, however I don't want to say the exact location as this is my local beach. I hope that's enough info 🙈😅 Thank you for commenting 😊
@@CassandraEvergreen I understand, don't worry :)my intention was to delete the comment not to leave informations. Thank you.
I am doing the same in Sweden but planning to move to a warmer country
You put into words, experiences that I've longing for so long...
❤️
Great video! Thanks for putting it together
Thank you!
I would love to adapt this lifestyle. But like what about work? I am 15 and I wanna live this life but how do you still make income and live such a peaceful life ASIDE from being an online influencer?? Because not everyone can be an online influencer.
I really wanna live how you’re living, I wanna have a garden that grows my food and herbs to make tea :). But If I live in the woods how would I make money?
Hi Ivy 🙂 thank you for reaching out. I'm not sure if you watched my entire video, but I don't live in the woods and I don't even have my own garden! I live in a unit and do my best to adopt the aspects of this lifestyle that I can 🙂. In this video I'm showing people exactly what you're looking for- ways to live this lifestyle even if you can't live in a cabin in the woods or grow your own food. I personally have a normal '9-5' job and I make UA-cam videos when I can because I enjoy it as a creative outlet. In terms of career, I would always encourage you to take your time, don't rush into it which is often our instinct straight after school, and find something you enjoy. It's also okay to change careers and try something new when you need to as well. Take your time. If you want to live this lifestyle the complete traditional way, you'll find a way, but you have plenty of time. 😌 There are a lot of work from home jobs you could look into that don't involve being an influencer. Good luck Ivy 🙂
@@CassandraEvergreen THANK YOU CASSANDRA! Sorry I misunderstood some of the video haha. This video is such an inspiration because it really motivates me to adopt this lifestyle! Thank you so much for this advice I appreciate it
@@GracefullyGlow No worries Ivy, thanks for coming back 😊
“Living in the woods” can mean living 1 mile outside of town, or even on the edge of town. You can still work in any career you choose, but probably best to focus on smaller town living. Don’t think of Cottagecore as your job…it’s a lifestyle that you live no matter what job you choose.
I love the video :-) Where do you live? Is it Portugal?
Thank you! I live in Australia 🙂
Beautiful video and such great insights! You don't need to live in the countryside to slow down and you illustrated this perfectly 😍
Exactly 😌🍃
You’re very wise for being so young 😊
Thank Kris 😊
Beautiful
🥰💗
So how are you paying off all your school loans?
I have a job 🙂
I love this, thank you🤍
Thank you! 😊
What beautiful hair she has
Thank you ☺️
Amaaaaazing,just amazing!💓🌞😊🥰
🥰💗
Beautiful video thank you
Thank you 🥰
This was a great video I love it❤
Thank you so much 🥰
Thank you. Lovely.
🙏❤️ thank you
Great video, I just discovered you and subscribed. I liked the ending especially… the feeling of sitting in your lovely home and nibbling on a fresh cupcake. Thank you!
Thank you 😊 that's exactly what I was hoping to convey 🥰
Lovely video!💗🧁 🌲 📚
Thank you Donna 🥰
I miss slower living.
I hope you find a way to incorporate some of the things you miss into the lifestyle you love now ❤️
Loved this video. Great tips!
Glad you liked it 🥰
Just make sure you don't slaughter the cuddly animals and have a nonviolent (vegan) homestead if you have the resources to have a homestead.
I agree, my home is a vegan home 🙂
@@CassandraEvergreen thank you!! 💗
I wish I lived where you do. It looks idyllic and perfect for my fair skin. Ocean meets the lush green country side. Are you in the UK?
I've had someone else wonder the same, but I'm actually in Australia! I guess I have a knack for finding the lush areas! I've always romanticised the English countryside as well as the beaches I grew up on 😊
Very good ideas.
Thanks 🙂
The tab advice is the most important one for me, (along with the water etc) I literally have 20 tabs open as I watch this :) Thank you!
No worries Mabel 🥰
This Video is magic
Thank you ❤️
Perfectly paced beautiful footage along with a meaningful message, rly well done! ☺️🌱
Thank you ☺️
Interesting- I hadn’t heard of cottage core but I know this is the sort of life I am striving for. Some lovely insights - thank you
It has roots in the concept of 'slow living' which may be a more intuitive term. Thank you Martine 😌