May Cottagecore To-Do List: 10 Cozy Things to Do Right Now
May is like a gentle sigh after spring's wild bloom—a month that lingers sweetly before the full heat of summer arrives here in Texas. The sun lingers longer in the sky, roses climb a little higher on the fence, and the air smells of earth and blossoms. This is when I find myself most rooted in the rhythm of home, and I wanted to share a few of the cozy things filling my heart (and calendar) this month.
If you're craving more intention in your days—or just a good excuse to pause—this Cottagecore to-do list is for you.
1. Watch the Sun Rise with Your Favorite Mug
May mornings in Texas are still gentle before the real heat arrives. I love stepping outside barefoot, rocking slowly in one of the old metal chairs that came with our 100-year-old house. There's something sacred about sipping tea while the world stretches awake. The cardinals sing like it’s their job, and the sky shifts from soft gray to watercolor pink.
This is when I plan my garden, dream up recipes, and soak in the quiet before the fullness of the day.
2. Refresh Your Porch with Blooms
Nothing says “welcome home” like a pair of French pots overflowing with hydrangeas. Mine sit by the main entry (even if guests don’t often use it), and every time I catch sight of those big, cloud-like blossoms, my heart does a little skip.
If you don’t have a porch, a sunny windowsill with a potted geranium or marigold can bring that same joy. This is the season to decorate with intention and bloom where you’re planted—literally.
3. Bake a Batch of Strawberry Shortcakes
The strawberries at our local farmers market are a deep, glistening red right now, and I can never resist. Last week, my daughter and I came home with a basket and made the flakiest cream biscuits, topped with whipped cream we made by hand. (It’s easier than you think and worth every second.)
We sat on the back steps, sun-warmed and sticky, with strawberry juice running down our fingers. That moment was pure May magic.
4. Thrift a Picnic Basket for Slow Adventures
Estate sales this time of year are a treasure trove. I recently found a floral-lined vintage picnic basket for under $10—can you believe it? I filled it with linen napkins, a thrifted thermos, and enamel plates, then we took it to the lake under a pecan tree.
It doesn't have to be fancy. Just bread, cheese, berries, and a patch of shade. Even your backyard can become a getaway with the right mindset.
5. Press Prairie Flowers in an Old Book
Instead of picking bluebonnets (we all know better in Texas!), I walk the fence lines and gather coreopsis, winecup, or Indian paintbrush—wild beauties that bloom like little bits of confetti. I tuck them between parchment paper in an old gardening book and stack something heavy on top.
Weeks later, when I find them again, it’s like opening a memory. Frame them, glue them into a journal, or send them in a handwritten letter.
6. Plant Basil and Zinnias in Thrifted Pots
May is the perfect time to get your hands in the soil. I planted basil in one of the clay pots I found at a rummage sale—chipped in all the right places. It already smells like summer.
Zinnias are my favorite because they’re showy, cheerful, and impossible to mess up. Every time I see a bloom pop up, I think, “Yes, life is still full of surprises.”
7. Hang Laundry in the Sunshine
This is such a little thing, but it brings me so much peace. I strung up a simple clothesline by the garden, and I’ve started drying our sheets and linens out there.
Texas sun + fresh air = linens that smell like heaven. Add a few drops of lavender to your rinse cycle, and your whole bedroom will feel like a countryside inn.
8. Host a Garden Tea Time
It doesn’t have to be elaborate—just a little tray, your prettiest thrifted teacup, and something sweet. I like to bring out a quilt and have tea with my kids in the side yard, where the sunlight hits just right.
We read aloud, nibble on lemon cookies, and pretend we’re at an English manor. It’s the kind of afternoon I know they'll remember forever.
9. Write One Handwritten Letter
There’s something romantic about a real letter—ink on paper, folded carefully, sealed with care. I’ve been writing one every week, usually while sipping chamomile tea before bed. It’s a way to slow down, connect, and remind someone that you’re thinking of them.
You could tuck in a dried flower or a pressed clover. These little details mean more than we realize.
10. Romanticize Your Evening Chores
After dinner, when the house gets quiet and the cicadas start singing, I light a few candles and slip into something soft. I sweep the floor slowly, fold a bit of laundry, or make a little plan for the next day.
Even chores feel sacred when you move through them with gratitude. I put on a playlist, open the windows, and let the cool air and moonlight drift in. It’s a soft ending to a long, beautiful day.
Sweet Closing Thoughts
Cottagecore isn’t about being perfect or buying new things. It’s about living with intention, slowing down enough to notice what’s already beautiful. May gives us so many gifts: sunlight, strawberries, soft breezes, and second chances.
So I invite you, friend, to pick just one thing from this list and start there. Let it unfold into a rhythm. Let your home become a place that reflects your heart.
If you loved this post, be sure to join my email list—I send out a cozy newsletter with stories, seasonal to-dos, and tips for living a life full of beauty and purpose. Let’s savor every bit of this season, together.
With love from the porch,
Brooke
Hello Gorgeous Threads
Welcome to my cozy corner of the internet! I’m Brooke, and I’m so thrilled you’re here. As a homeschool mom and a lover of all things Cottagecore, I’ve built a life that’s all about creating warmth, charm, and simplicity—and I can’t wait to share it with you!
Cottagecore, for me, is about slowing down and embracing the beauty of intentional living—finding joy in baking fresh bread, tending a garden, or savoring a quiet moment with a cup of tea by a sunny window. It’s about blending the rustic charm of Cottagecore with the refined elegance of French Country style to create a life that feels both beautiful and attainable.
One of my greatest passions is curating unique, timeless treasures that reflect this way of life. Whether it’s a vintage find, a sustainable piece, or a handmade item with a story to tell, I love sharing these special discoveries with you. And now, you can shop these carefully chosen pieces right here! Each item is selected with love, bringing charm, sustainability, and elegance into your home and wardrobe.
This little community of like-minded women makes everything even sweeter. I’m so excited to connect, inspire, and celebrate the magic of Cottagecore together. Thank you for stopping by—it means the world to me. Let’s embrace a simpler, more beautiful life, one lovely find at a time!
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