Crystal Aura Gaze

Is “cottagecore” a counterculture, or is it actually a modernized term for the classic American Dream?

The term “cottagecore” is fairly new, yet captures the meaning of something that has been around since the birth of the USA.

I used to think that I was different for being attracted to cottagecore. But recently, I’ve discovered, that this is a concept that has ingrained in American culture since the beginning of time.

American culture is very fascinating to me. We are built on the religion of despising our government and desiring self-sufficiency. Distrusting the government and wanting freedom from the law doesn’t make you unique or special – unfortunately it makes you an average American citizen.

I was once captured by off-the-grid living, but in time I have learned how much irony there is in this concept. The “financial freedom” scam has gone mad. They say, “quit your nine-to-five so that you aren’t a slave to the system” – but then they tell you to instead, make your money through the internet, which is indeed still slaving to a system – just a slightly different one.

The whole movement has us craving one simple dream – to own land (with many, many acres, if possible.) Hasn’t that always been The American Dream? With the ever-declining economy, the 1980s, 90s, and 00s brought about the romanticizing of city-living. For example, sitcoms and dramas of a cast in their 20s or 30s living in the middle of NYC, became all the rage. But this had less to do with The American Dream shifting into city-living, and more to do with capturing a wider audience through relatability.

Owning land shifted into a far-fetched dream. And in modern day, it has transformed into full-on fantasy land. And owning land is the core of self-sufficiency. After, comes growing your own food, managing your own business, handling your own health problems – anything to live your life with as minimal government as possible.

People wonder why the healthcare system, and so many other aspects of living, are better in other countries. Why does this country get all this paid-maternity leave that we don’t? Why are these countries incorporating four-day workweeks and our country is trying to push six?! Because, as US citizens, we are conditioned to never ask the government for help. We made it this way – as a democracy. We refuse help from the gov, but then complain when they don’t help us.

Anyway, what I realized, as my friends continued sending me viral Instagram Reels about the dream of off-the-grid living, is that I am not so special after all. I am a typical American. I want self-sufficiency, freedom, and for the government to leave me alone at all costs.

Am I still obsessed with cottagecore? YES! Do I still romanticizing off-the-grid living? OF COURSE! But having said that, I have begrudgingly realized that I am no different from my Founding Fathers. Yikes.

However, I have considered a solution – that instead of focusing on “self-sufficiency,” that we focus on “community-sufficiency.” I will always distrust my government, my country, even my state (as all good Americans do) but I can learn to put trust into my community – my town, my neighbors, my proximity.

So for example, you don’t have to “make everything yourself,” you don’t have to weave your own clothes or buy your own food. But you can shop local, you can support your neighborhood and community. You can rely on others without giving up your freedom.