Imagine a cozy life in a stone cottage in the countryside surrounded by animals, lush plant life, sunshine, rain, freshly grown produce and freshly baked bread. All around you, views of your land, with a forest nearby to bathe in. 

This is a stark contrast to where I thought I would want to be at this point in my life and from where I am now. Currently I reside in a large modern home in the suburbs surrounded by loads of chaotic roads filled with traffic, traffic and more traffic. I’m surrounded by urban sprawl and dealing with frantic schedules, lesson planning and constant deadlines. 

Yet I yearn for a deeper connection with nature, a quiet environment and the opportunity to embrace a slower pace of life. I believe a move to the country is the right choice for me several reasons:

The peace and quiet of cottagecore in the countryside

I long for a cosy home in the country with space and quiet. 

I can see myself spending each of my days cooking in a sun-drenched kitchen, napping in the afternoons after tending to my garden and spending my evenings curled up by a crackling fireplace. This quieter environment will allow me to live a more restorative life where there stress is minimal or of a different nature entirely. A cottagecore life could mean tranquility and privacy, free from crowds and full of clean fresh air.

Connection with nature

I crave a shift from screen time to stargazing under a rural night sky. I want to transform from data entry to hands-on work. I yearn for a simpler, more old-fashioned life, of cottagecore living in the countryside. Could I trade textbooks for tea cups, backpacks for baking, grading for gardening and school bells for sunsets? Cottagecore living encourages slowing down, appreciating the simple things, and reconnecting with nature.

A slower pace of life

I need to live a life that feels slower, simpler and more fulfilling. I long to have the freedom to choose what I do in my day. I don’t want to abide by someone else’s schedule, bells, timetables, deadlines or demands. I wish for the time to build a life where I can thrive away from the noise, congestion and pressures of city living. Where I can enjoy a slower pace of life and have nature at my doorstep.

I want to live in the country because the daily grind of juggling teaching with motherhood has left me empty and boring. Stuck on a hamster wheel that I can’t get off. The constant drudgery of suburban life has made me disillusioned and in some ways I’ve forgotten how to live. I feel like I need a simpler way of living with less stress to focus on what truly matters. 

However, it’s not all sunshine and roses. There are challenges to living a rural life that could take time to adjust to. 

Challenges of Rural Living

There’s the physical work involved. The upkeep and maintenance of a self-sufficient lifestyle could challenging. An older cottage might need renovations, whether minor or extensive.

There’s the responsibility of growing food, looking after animals, cooking, cleaning and maintaining the property.

Yet, I aspire to change the ‘work’ I do. Instead of being stuck in a classroom and staff office, I really do think I could go in a different direction.

Other challenges might be living away from medical facilities and shopping centres. Will my family come visit me? Will my husband want this lifestyle too? What about natural disasters such as fire and flood?

Could it be lonely for us? Is a smaller community for me? Am I the type of person to get involved in community events and activities?

Chasing the cottagecore life dream…

Chasing a cottagecore dream requires planning and a healthy dose of reality. I know it isn’t going to be easy. There’s much to learn. But am I too old for a change? 

In education, teachers are constantly being told we are lifelong learners. Surely, I can learn a new way of life in the countryside. 

But we all know you can’t just up and leave your family and commitments. For now it’s a dream or a future goal. First the kids have to finish school as I’m not one for upending their lives for my sake. 

In the meantime I can dream and manifest this future rural existence. Mini holidays and overnight stays in potential locations with my husband are probably all I can do for now, and that’s ok.

Life in the country…

Eventually I hope to step away from the constant busyness of modern life for a simpler way of living in the country. 

Living a cottagecore life is both idyllic and attainable. Where becoming more self-sufficient with the land, slowing down to notice the little things, nature and living with a real sense of purpose will fill my soul.

I hope that by sharing my experiences and motivations, I’ve inspired you to consider the undeniable charm of cottagecore living.