A couple of months ago, I discovered a YouTuber who filmed herself in nature. After a few minutes in the forest, she showed herself baking or decorating her living space. It was a one-room cottage, but it seemed like an entire world fit in her four walls. Unlike many ‘cottagecore’ videos I tried to watch without gagging, these were actually charming. She didn’t show herself leaving some palatial estate to ‘get away’, neither did she overstuff the screen with every cozy collectible known to humanity. Her videos were quiet, insightful, and beautifully filmed.
I found myself looking forward to them. In the middle of my workday, I planned out my YouTube evening—a space documentary, a gardener’s update, then a video or two from this girl. She lived simply, deriving joy from making candles or pressing flowers. She painted with watercolors and advocated whimsy. As my day came to a close, I created a wind-down routine that ended with a cup of tea and a delightful stroll through tall pines or vast meadows. Okay she did the strolling while I snuggled in bed, but I still enjoyed our walks. Unlike so many influencers who give the impression that they’re a little better than you, this girl was honest about life not being as magical as she filmed it. I was about to consider a move to the wilderness when she mentioned her compost toilet. Yeah, that’s a no for me.
But I did look through my wardrobe for homespun items.I’m a fan of many styles—Housewife on the Prairie, 60’s Riviera, 40’s Femme Fatale to name a few. I treasure my ballet flats as much as my stilettos, but during this re-introduction to homesteading, I put cowboy boots with patchwork skirts and topped them off with a long and loose sweater. I put my hair in twists and tucked in a flower. And it went beyond outings. Instead of throwing on my trusty house pants, I opted for flowing linen dresses and tied them with a sash. Amazingly, it made a difference. Even though I live alone and wasn’t going anywhere, it turns out it does matter to someone. Spoiler alert, it was me.
When I walked past a mirror, I saw a cute dress and hairstyle instead of someone about to give up. I’m not saying we can’t be comfy in our own home, but a bit of a theme boosted my mood. It helped my creativity and encouraged me to relax, to take in my space and enjoy the peace.
The YouTuber recently went on hiatus, but I haven’t seen all of her videos yet. Whether she comes back or not, I’m glad she shared her simple gifts. An influencer actually influenced me, and thankfully for the good.
A girl could get used to this . . .
JOYE JOHNSON - Politely Refusing the Kool-Aid 