Introduction

This post begins with a brief description of Cottagecore . It then looks more critically at the movement, and how it differs from a typical self sufficient lifestyle. The post concludes with a more in depth look at how this way of life can be readily realised here in Bulgaria.

Cottagecore – a description

I was very interested to discover the new ‘cottagecore’ movement. On first glance, it appeared to epitomise our own aspirations. Cottagecore embraces a return to the land, home cooked food from scratch, and rustic interiors. The aesthetic even goes as far as to replicate clothes reminiscent of a bygone age such as long flowing skirts and starched white aprons. There is definitely an air of nostalgia, suggestive of Tasha Tudor type existence.

Pinterest and Instagram abound with images seeking to emulate the ‘look‘. Stone cottage floors, home baked bread, baby ducklings, open fields full of wild flowers; pastoral scenes. There is a celebration of traditional skills and crafts such as preserving food and basket making. There is a move away from technology – replaced by oil lamps and wood burning stoves. You get the picture. The movement encapsulates an entire way of living which seeks to ‘escape to a simpler place and time’, which is the main motif of my blog.

Observations and reservations

Browsing the genre, You Tube’s algorithm soon began to provide copious examples of such an utopian existence. Some of them were informative, interesting, even soothing in their representations of a slower pace of life. But as more and more such channels entered my feed, I began to feel uneasy. One young woman can’t be more than sixteen, and here she was baking apple pies, and growing vegetables as though she engaged in these pursuits daily instead of more typical teenage exploits.

Another young girl appeared in various videos dressed like ‘Snow White’. Her stupendous cake creations would take an infinity to prepare , and it became obvious that they were very “staged” events.

I had other reservations. Wooden spoons and washing tubs seemed to have replaced labour saving equipment. The emancipation of women had been superseded with a romantic version of domesticity. I also realised that there was no way either of these young creators could afford to lavish so much time on baking, let alone pay rent on their cottage surroundings.

I thought of the Romantic poets, and how they had idealised country life. There are many other instances of this idealisation of a self sufficient existence throughout art and literature. I concluded that ‘cottagecore’ was a further example of such an idealisation.

I would speculate that the recent pandemic and other fears about the future, such as climate change, have led to a desire for escapism. Cottagecore provides a romantic sanctuary far from modern anxieties where one can escape to a safer idealised past – hence its recent growth in popularity.

Can the dream come true?

A further motif of my blog is to “live your dreams” . This section will look more closely at the various aspects of cottagecore and how they can be achieved in Bulgaria

A Rural home or cottage

In England at least this kind of lifestyle is prohibitively expensive. England is so overcrowded that rural life is often only the domain of the wealthy. In Bulgaria, however, it is a different story. Though Bulgaria is roughly the same size as England, there are currently under 7 million inhabitants. Due to the small population there are still vast swathes of rural countryside where you can obtain your dream location. Both land and property are very affordable. Property is still available here for under 10,000 English pounds. However, do read my blog on purchasing a property, or a holiday home here for more advice and guidance.

Self-sufficiency

Having obtained property and land, the next step is to become more self sufficient. Homesteading is still very much a way of life here in the rural villages. This means that houses are readily equipped with everything you need. Our own property is typical of this region. We own approximately an acre in total, with established fruit and nut trees and very fertile soil. For anyone thinking of purchasing a property here – most houses come with established fruit trees and vines. The property also came with a number of outbuildings: a still house, smoking shed, a small barn, donkey shed, chicken coop, and a garage with inspection pit. There is also a well, again, a common feature in the rural villages. There is also plenty of local wisdom on offer to get you started, and of course plenty of sun!

In addition to the affordability and availability, the land here is both beautiful and verdant. The Bulgarians have a saying “ when God was allocating the land to different peoples, he forgot about Bulgaria. So he gave them a piece of heaven instead.“ Walking and driving around this beautiful country you will understand just how true this is. There are valleys, mountains, rivers and streams, beautiful coastline and sea. There is everything you could possibly want and copious sun! Even in winter there is sun. For more information about the weather click here.

Livestock

Animals are also readily available. There are regular animal markets. Most families own at least some chickens and a pig that they fatten up for Christmas. This means that there is also lots of free local advice on offer about animal husbandry. The veterinary practices here are also extremely affordable.

Traditional skills

Bulgaria is also the home for for traditional crafts and skills. For example, most villagers practice canning and preserving food. I have only seen canning equipment in specialist places in England. In Bulgaria this equipment is widely available, which helps significantly if you are interested in this pursuit. People here also make their own wine and Rakia (the local drink). Many of the ladies create beautiful embroidery. I myself have really enjoyed finding uses for our grape vine trimmings, including wreaths. These would have cost me a significant amount to purchase in England, but have been so easy to make from just leftover vines.

A move away from technology

Technology is obviously available here, but plays a much less prominent role than in England. Only a few people own cars in our village and horses and carts are still a regular sight here. It is rare to see someone walking around using a mobile phone, instead you can see people talking in the streets. Families meet up in the evenings for conversation and often share a meal together. There is regular singing and dancing (pre pandemic) and people can be found sitting on benches outside of their homes ready to chat with passersby.

Life here is reminiscent of my childhood in the close mining community where I was born.  We have lost much of the fraternity and trust now in England that still exists in this village.  Neighbours share door keys and watch out for each other.  They gather at the local shop for morning coffee – some of the older ones lingering for hours there for the company.  Children play safely in the streets – there are few vehicles and strangers are instantly recognised as such. Our village is very much an escape to a simpler place and time.

To learn more about life in our village click here

A further short introduction to our Village

Cottagecore – the Reality

A self-sufficient lifestyle is not easy. I have described elsewhere the pleasures and pitfalls of attempting this. Harvest time, in particular, is strenuous.

Rural life is also hard – I think in particular of the labourers in our village. Neither do the shepherdesses here wear long flowing skirts and billowing blouses. Pastoral life is harsh especially in winter.

However, if you are able to assimilate the Cottagecore image with a touch of realism then this life is very achievable and affordable here in Bulgaria. Though I would forgo the wooden spoons and the long skirts for more practical items.

Images from our home and our village