Labor is inevitable, but joyless labor is unnecessary. Appreciating the little things and taking the time to engage in hobbies, regardless of the utility assigned to them by society, is a small mindset shift that may lift your daily mood.
Enter cottagecore, the epitome of all things natural, positive, cozy, leisurely, and “aesthetically pleasing.” More than just a visual aesthetic, cottagecore is a representation of escapism from extremes. It represents balance and rejects “hustle culture” in every way possible. Above all, it brings a sense of comfort in a decidedly worrisome year for most in its pursuit for self-actualization - a stark contrast to the busyness and inherently pessimistic aura of everyday life.
On that note, here are five hobbies to induce nostalgia for better days.
CROCHET AND KNITTING
Their return might bring back some nostalgia to the Rainbow Loom trend dating to about eight years ago, but crochet is more than just a quarantine-long fad. In fact, long before the reign of 5 Minute Crafts, these two styles of textile-making were already circulating in the fabric industry—starting from around the 1800s. Many attribute the new return or trendiness of crocheting and knitting to Harry Styles’s JW Anderson cardigan, which went completely viral, and many jumped to recreate it.
YouTube is a great resource for beginner patterns, while books written by professionals may be a better resource for the more advanced crocheter.
The creativity that crocheting and knitting afford is the wonderful reason why many have fallen in love with the craft. It gives people a place to express their feelings, emotions, and artistic passion onto a canvas that can be worn, gifted, and showcased to all.
FARMING SIMULATORS
As the pandemic started to take shape and strict lockdown restrictions were imposed, many around the globe took comfort in cottagecore-related games like Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, and Story of Seasons. The appeal of these games can be largely credited to one thing: the lifestyle it promotes that coincided with the rise of cottagecore on social media.
Because of their farm settings and emphasis on pastoral tasks like picking fruit from trees, planting crops, and sewing, these quintessentially cottagecore games have attracted many loyal supporters. As of June 30, 2021, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is Nintendo’s second best-selling game for the Switch, and though there’s been a bit of a drop in sales since 2020, these cozy simulators are still strongly appealing to a large and very passionate audience.
Allowing those who live in the city to experience the joys and peacefulness of pastoral life vicariously through the video game characters, the slow and calm nature of farming simulators bring rest and happiness to their players.
PLANTITA CULTURE
Given that living in the countryside does have its downsides, what many have resorted to doing instead is to adopt plants. Although not entirely exclusive to just the cottagecore aesthetic, taking care of plants appeases both the soul and the eyes. There’s also a wide variety of plants - including fruits and vegetables, that are available on the market, meaning it is quite palatable for the average person to implement into their lives.
The benefits of growing plants aren’t just limited to room decor though, especially if you plant fruits and vegetables. The Philippines has a wonderful environment for gardening, and you might be able to save yourself some money as well. In addition, the daily tasks nurturing seedlings entail also doubles as an outlet for stress. It gives you the opportunity to take a moment to appreciate the nature around you and to reflect in quietude.
There are many ways you can source plants, aside from opting to cultivate them, such as buying them from florists or growing them from seed.
PAINTING AND ART
Embodying the collective spirit of natural art and beauty, cottagecore is largely influenced by art and thus pays much homage to its different forms. However, in true 2021 fashion, art has gone digital as well, with fluency in apps such as Procreate becoming almost vital to the art industry.
With art, many hobbyists are able to express their thoughts and reflections beyond the limitations of the spoken and written word. Painting allows the artist to express their feelings on canvas—another medium that is something innately cottagecore. This is why the periods associated with the aesthetic are largely intertwined with Impressionist art and nature. Yet, when we combine all of these things, we find nature and our artistic souls intertwined in joyous harmony. And we unlock that with art - the foundation of beauty and the heart of cottagecore.
LEARNING NEW INSTRUMENTS
While cottagecore takes things at a slower pace, it does not promote laziness. Much like the popular quote, “if you enjoy what you do, you will never work another day in your life,” it romanticizes the idea of putting much time into things you love to do.
Learning new instruments and the time that every musician puts into mastering their craft both lead to a life filled to the brim with passion, joy, and overall satisfaction for what you have accomplished as well as the events to come. This is the beauty of music—life’s simplest joy.
You do not need to fully immerse yourself in the cottagecore aesthetic to appreciate what it stands for. In addition, what works for one person may not work for another. Yet, some do glean much joy in taking a step back and creating a little space for themselves to flourish. For, in the hustle and bustle of life, there are those who do gain chronic happiness from cottagecore hobbies.
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