Last Updated on March 11, 2025 by Angela Vaz
Life moves too fast.
The days blur into one another. Work, responsibilities, endless notifications—it’s exhausting.
I just realized that the last 6 months just zoomed by.
I knew I needed to slow down.
Have you ever watched a slice-of-life anime and thought, I wish I could live like that?
The slow mornings, soft lighting, homemade food, and simple joys. It feels peaceful. Intentional. Like life is meant to be savored.
I’ve already written posts like How to Live a Studio Ghibli Life and How to Have a Studio Ghibli Morning Routine.
The good news?
You can live that way. You can create a cozy, slow anime life—one filled with warmth, comfort, and beauty. Here’s how.
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1. Wake Up Slowly and Make Mornings Special
In anime, mornings are quiet and intentional.
The sun rises, a soft breeze moves the curtains, and there’s always a gentle, comforting routine.
Start your day the same way.
Wake up without checking your phone immediately.
Instead, stretch under the blankets. Take in the softness of your bed. Open a window and let in fresh air. If possible, wake up with natural light or use a sunrise alarm clock.
Make breakfast slowly.
Instead of rushing, prepare something warm and nourishing.
Maybe a bowl of steaming miso soup with rice. Or fluffy Japanese pancakes drizzled with honey.
Use a beautiful ceramic bowl to make it feel even cozier.
Sip your tea or coffee without distractions. Just exist in the moment, the way anime heroines do.
2. Dress Soft and Feminine
Anime girls always look effortlessly put-together yet comfortable. Soft sweaters. Flowing skirts. Warm cardigans.
I’ve written a post on 45 Korean Outfits that are Super Cozy and Comfortable here.
Wear clothes that make you feel cozy, feminine, and free.
Choose loose, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen.
Stick to soft, natural colors—creamy whites, warm browns, muted pastels. Invest in a knitted cardigan that makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a hug.
Footwear matters, too. In anime, characters are always wearing indoor slippers—it’s a small thing, but it makes home feel special. A pair of plush house slippers instantly elevates your comfort.
You don’t need an occasion to look lovely. Wear what makes you feel like the protagonist of your own life.
3. Romanticize Simple Moments
In anime, the smallest things feel magical.
- Hanging laundry in the sun.
- Stirring a pot of soup.
- Reading by a window while rain softly taps against the glass.
Let yourself fully experience these moments.
Instead of rushing through daily tasks, slow down.
Play soft instrumental music in the background. Light a vanilla or matcha-scented candle.
I’m a big fan of candles because it really helps me relax.
Notice the warmth of your tea mug in your hands. Feel the texture of pages as you flip through a book.
The idea is to focus on the present moment.
Every moment in your day can be a scene from a cozy anime—if you let it.
4. Cook Like a Studio Ghibli Character
Food in anime always looks so inviting.
Steamy bowls of ramen. Freshly baked bread. Fluffy omelets. There’s a sense of love and care in every dish.
I bought this Studio Ghibli Cookbook last year and I’ve tried almost every recipe in it – it did not disappoint. It’s so wholesome and cozy!
Start cooking with intention.
Choose recipes that make you feel warm and nostalgic.
Try making Japanese-style curry or fluffy tamagoyaki (rolled omelet). Get a cast iron pan to make it even more authentic.
Use wooden chopsticks instead of plastic. Serve meals on ceramic dishes. Make cooking a ritual, not a chore.
My relationship with food changed so much when I started paying more attention to it.
I’m so much more mindful now. And eating more whole foods makes me feel so good.
5. Surround Yourself with Cozy Anime Aesthetics
Your home should feel like a warm hug. Soft, inviting, peaceful.
Start with warm lighting.
Harsh overhead lights feel cold and uninviting. Instead, use paper lanterns or fairy lights.
Add soft textures—a woven throw blanket, cushions, and fluffy rugs.
A simple change like a plush floor cushion can make your space feel like a cozy anime reading nook.
Bring nature inside.
A small potted plant or a vase of dried flowers instantly adds warmth. Cherry blossoms in spring, eucalyptus in winter.
6. Slow Down and Enjoy Hobbies
More and more women are embracing cozy hobbies. Everyone I talk to is beginning to put down their phones and do things like build puzzles or use coloring books.
In anime, characters always make time for hobbies. They bake. They paint. They play the piano. They take slow walks in the evening.
Find a hobby that soothes your soul and makes your heart sing.
If you love crafts, try embroidery or watercolor painting.
If you enjoy writing, start a journal with soft, aesthetic pages.
If you love music, learn to play the kalimba or ukulele—they’re gentle, calming instruments.
Let yourself create for the joy of it—not for productivity, but because it makes life richer.
7. Connect with Nature
Anime always has beautiful, slow nature moments.
Leaves floating in the wind. A single raindrop sliding down a window. The sound of cicadas in summer.
My partner and I sometimes take 2-3 day trips to the countryside. We carry board games and books and just use that time to get away from the city.
We do treks or just sit in the garden and breathe.
Connecting with nature is healing.
Spend time outside.
Walk through a quiet park. Feel the breeze against your skin. Lie on the grass and watch the clouds. In autumn, collect leaves. In winter, breathe in the crisp air.
If you can’t go outside much, bring nature in.
Keep a small indoor garden. Open your window and listen to the rain.
Nature slows you down. It reminds you that life isn’t meant to be rushed.
8. Have Slow, Cozy Evenings
Just like a morning routine, have an evening routine as well.
It will help you wind down and get ready for bed.
Anime evenings are soft and peaceful. Dim lighting. A warm drink. The sound of pages turning.
Create an intentional nighttime routine.
After dinner, turn off overhead lights and switch to soft lamps. Make a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea.
Wrap yourself in a plush robe or fluffy blanket.
Read a cozy book or watch a slow-paced anime—something soft and comforting like My Neighbor Totoro, Natsume’s Book of Friends, or Barakamon.
End your day with gratitude, not stress.
Final Thoughts
A cozy, slow anime life isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about choosing slowness, warmth, and small joys in your everyday moments.
It’s about being present. Creating rituals. Romanticizing the simple things. Living gently.
So, take a deep breath. Make a warm cup of tea. Wrap yourself in softness. And live like the main character of your own cozy anime life.
Would you love to live this way? Let me know in the comments! 💕
