The term ‘cottagecore’ might or might not be familiar to you. It is a term coined for an internet aesthetic popularised greatly in the Covid pandemic period. At its most basic and superficial, it is simply a fashion trend involving dresses with poofy sleeves and flower motifs. Beyond the superficial fashion, it involves an idealisation of the rural lifestyle. Sometimes included in this is an idealisation of the return to ‘analog’ or other old-fashioned aspects of life. Part of this is an aspect of some kind of disconnect from the digital lifestyle. Computers, smartphones, and large televisions are hardly if ever present in the ideal cottagecore lifestyle. In some cases it goes much further than the flouncy dresses in sunny fields. For some there is even an idealisation of going completely off-grid. Living in an idyllic cottage in a forest, conveniently located in an area without a road nearby, the nearest sign of civilization being a long drive away.
Example of what an idyllic cottagecore house might look like.
I can’t say the allure of this hasn’t crossed my mind. There have definitely been times where I’ve dreamt of living in a small house by a lake with not a computer or phone in sight. Perhaps it’s the sense of liberation and freedom from the social aspect of society that can, at times, become tiresome, or perhaps more simply it’s a desire for simplicity which is symbolised by a return to older rural life.
However beyond this popular aesthetic, I have noticed that there has been a large yearning for retreating into older technologies. A small example would be the return of wired earphones, sometimes even being considered a fashion statement, or the popularisation of collecting vinyls. Beyond the more superficial desire for older technology, is also a change in how being disconnected from the digital is being valued. More and more I see or hear of people who make large efforts in order to have time away from social media, from their laptop, or even from screens in general.
The value of being disconnected is also being mirrored in the work environment with the fairly recent bill that Australia has regarding the right to disconnect from work. While this has a very different context to cottagecore and rural fashion appeal, it does stem from a core idea of freedom from the digital. In the case of cottagecore, this freedom is probably more specifically freedom from digital trends and social obligations, while the Australian bill is freedom from what is not dissimilar to unpaid work.
It’s not new that people have a desire for older times, which are often perceived as simpler. I believe that due to the oversaturation of technology, and the level in which it has become a necessity to inhibit in society, it has created a larger desire for these past times. While I’ve never been very immersed in the digital beyond what is necessary, I find myself having a greater appreciation for screen-free time.
Image sources:
https://parade.com/1086932/stephanieosmanski/what-is-cottagecore
Reading your post reminded me of something else: “digital detox,” which is about taking a break from electronic devices to reduce the impact of tech on our lives. I really want to give it a try, but honestly, it’s always just a thought—I haven’t managed to actually do it yet. With how life is these days, we rely on our phones for almost everything, and it feels like you can’t put them down without missing out on something.
Also, I’m a fan of wired earphones too. Besides the fact that they seem to be trendy again, Bluetooth earphones running low on battery makes me anxious. I still prefer the simplicity and convenience of wired ones.
I very much enjoyed reading your blog!
Yes, the desire to abandon all digital devices, at least for a couple of days, sounds familiar. Actually, I don’t think we have to be that radical: e.g., not being obliged to be available after work can already make a difference, as we get back a bit of freedom to shut down our laptop, and more generally, to disconnect. Confidently making use of this freedom is another story, of course. Luckily, as you also describe, being disconnected seems to be gradually more valued again, and some might even envy the ‘digital detoxers’ for their courage and assertiveness.