Studio Ghibli art is everywhere these days. and I am loving the energy that these images give off.
They make even the most routine stuff look magical and…cozy.
This has me thinking about all the ways that we can make our life cozy for real, outside the screens.
I mean, don’t you wanna know what it’s like to be the cozy main character in a Studio Ghibli movie, or an anime, or your favorite Christmas movie?
In a cozy life, simple things would matter, your home would feel like a soft hug, and your days would be full of little magical moments.
It’s the kind of life where baking a pie would feel like an act of self-love, where walking to the market would be an adventure, and where you would carry a book just in case you find the perfect bench to read on.
I’ve drawn quite a picture there, huh?
Let’s see how we can make all of that happen for real.
In this post, we’re getting into 15 cozy life tips that will make you feel like a soft lovable character in your own real-life fairytale.
There’s also a cute printable at the end of the post for you to grab.
Read on if you’re ready to sprinkle some magic in your life!
15 Ways To Create A Cozy Lifestyle
1. Start your mornings slowly with tea or coffee in a cute mug
Instead of rushing into the day, let your mornings begin with intention.
Brew a cup of comfort coffee in your favorite mug (the one with the chip that you still love).
Sit by a sunny window or on your balcony, sip slowly, and let the steam warm your face while you enjoy looking at nature.
2. Wear clothes that make you feel soft and comfy
You don’t need a special occasion to wear that oversized cardigan, the long flowy skirt, or those little socks with ruffles.
Wear cute and comfy clothes every day and put some effort into your appearance.
Add a bow in your hair, pin a vintage brooch on your top, and carry a cute tote bag with a lemon embroidered on it.
It’s important to remember that style isn’t about trends. It’s about feeling comfy and expressing your soft and sweet soul, just like cute characters do in movies.
3. Bake something from scratch and pretend you live in a cottage
On a slow afternoon at home, put on your coziest clothes, tie your hair with a ribbon, and play a playlist that makes you feel like you live in a tiny house in the woods.
And then head to the kitchen to make cookies, banana bread, or a seasonal pie.
Let the sweet smell of baking fill your home, and then eat warm and fresh treats straight out of the oven.
Share it with your neighbor to spread the love!
If you’re in the mood, you can write the recipe in your own handwriting to keep it forever.
Or you could start keeping a cookbook and later pass it down to the next generation. That would be cool, right?
4. Light a candle every evening to set the mood
When the sun sets, switch on your cozy mode by dimming the lights and lighting a candle or two. Put on some calming music to amp up the vibes.
Pick scented candles that remind you of rainy days, cinnamon lattes, and lavender fields.
Even just twenty minutes of candlelight can turn a stressful evening into a happy one.
Your space will feel like a cozy cottage!
5. Take yourself on solo dates to bookstores and cafes
I take myself on a solo date at least once a month.
There’s something so healing about walking slowly through a bookstore, running your fingers along spines, and letting your heart guide you.
Then heading to a nearby café with a book or journal in hand, ordering your favorite drink, and sitting in your own bubble of peace.
No pressure to socialize. Just you, your thoughts, and a warm drink.
6. Keep a little journal
Keeping a journal is the best thing you can do to nurture your soul.
Buy a cute little notebook and start filling it with beautiful things.
You can write about how the sky looked on a beautiful day, a funny thing your cat did, or what kind of soup you want to try next week.
Add pressed flowers, polaroids, and song lyrics. Let it be messy and magical.
When you sit down with it in the future, it will feel like a time capsule of your softest moments.
7. Write letters to your future self (or imaginary pen pals)
There’s a kind of magic in putting pen to paper, especially when you’re writing to someone who doesn’t quite exist (yet).
Write to your future self about what you hope she’s doing.
Or write to an imaginary friend about your day, your dreams, your favorite soup recipe.
You can also write to your ideal romance partner!
Seal your letters with stickers, and keep them in a little box for a future you to discover.
You can also add a wax seal if you want to feel like a character from a cozy period drama.
8. Create a cozy corner with books, pillows, and fairy lights
Every cute character has their own little corner of the world, a space that’s theirs.
Grab some fairy lights, fluffy pillows, and a basket of books. Add a soft throw blanket, a candle, or even a little tea tray.
Make this space your official “cozy zone” where you read, rest, and daydream. No stress allowed here, just pure happy character vibes.
9. Keep fresh flowers (or dried ones) around your space
Even a single flower in a thrifted vase can make a huge difference to your vibes.
Pick up seasonal blooms from the market or gather wildflowers during a walk.
Dried bouquets also give a dreamy, timeless feel, like something out of a fairy’s cottage.
More ideas: How To Create Good Vibes and Bring Positive Energy To Your Home
10. Do slow hobbies like crocheting, painting, or calligraphy
There’s a special peace in working with your hands.
Whether you’re stitching a tiny mushroom patch or slowly painting your favorite fruit, gentle hobbies like these reconnect you with your inner child.
They remind you that not everything needs to be fast or productive; some things are just for joy.
Even if you’re a beginner, always remember the coziness is in the process, not perfection.
11. Name your plants and inanimate objects for fun
The inspiration behind this idea came to me from ‘Anne with an E’. Anne used to name all the special places of nature she’d venture into, like ‘the Lake of Shining Waters’.
It makes the beautiful things around you more meaningful to you.
Give your plant a name like Basil the Bold or Princess Fern. Name your kettle, your favorite spoon, even your journal.
This will add a layer of personality and playfulness to your space, like you’re living in a whimsical world where everything has a soul and a story (which it actually does).
12. Take evening walks and pretend you’re on a quest
When the sun starts setting, put on a cozy sweater and go for a slow walk.
Let yourself wander while listening to soft music, or the birds, or your own footsteps.
Imagine you’re on a little mission to deliver bread to a sleepy village or to find the perfect pebble for a forest creature.
Take photos of anything lovely that you spot on the way, like glowing windows, cats on fences, or golden trees.
Related post: How To Create An Evening Routine – 8 Things To Do After 6 PM
13. Make your meals look beautiful
There are so many ways to make ordinary meals look beautiful.
You can add a sprig of mint, slice your fruit in hearts, or drizzle honey in little swirls at the top of your tea.
Eat out of pretty plates and mismatched cutlery to make it more fun, and savor your meal like you’re dining in a tiny countryside café.
14. Have a tiny collection of things that make you smile
Create your own treasure box and fill it with tiny things that spark joy.
It can contain a handwritten note, a shiny coin, a tea wrapper from a good day, a tiny pinecone, a button from your grandma’s sewing kit.
Keep it hidden or display it in the open; whatever makes your heart smile.
15. Speak kindly to yourself like you would to your favorite character
The most important cozy life tip of all is to be be soft to yourself.
Just like you’d cheer on a character for trying their best, you can do the same for yourself.
When you mess up, tell yourself,“It’s okay. You’re still learning.”
When you do something brave, whisper, “You’re amazing.”
Treat yourself with the same tenderness you’d give to a small woodland creature.
You’ll feel like a main character who’s full of self-love, kindness, and unshakeable confidence.
Get Into Your Cute Character Energy!
Life isn’t always perfect, but it can still be lovely.
These cozy life tips won’t fix everything, but they will help you feel more grounded, more gentle, and more like the main character in a story worth telling.
So light that candle, take that walk, and fall in love with your little life again. You deserve a soft and magical existence.
Read next: The Ultimate Wellness Menu For Your Every Mood
You just discovered 15 cozy life tips! Let me know the two ideas that stood out to you the most, and share some of your own in the comment box.
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