A Small English Fairytale Cottage in the English Countryside _ Tiny Country Cottage Tour in England

This week I've strayed away from my natural habitat. I ventured outside London to explore rural life in the great British countryside. As the lingering silence of the country amplifies my every thought, all I can think about is how vivid life is here. Non-existent is the morning city haze or the persistent drone of idling motors. There is just clean air, flowers and busy bees buzzing. And of course, sheep. Having never really lived in the countryside, I can confidently say that I am a city girl. Nevertheless, escaping to the country can sometimes help to put things into perspective. I'm not just here to slow down, however. I'm here to challenge my point of view. I'm here to immerse myself in the rural lifestyle and to see what aspects of country living I can apply to my own city life. When I arrived in this quaint country cottage, it was immediately obvious that there is less stress in the air. Time naturally seems to pass by slower here. Or maybe that's just because there are less ways to measure it. There is no lunchtime rush, no giant clock towers and no countdowns to the next train. There is just the present moment. Nothing more, nothing less. After living in the UK for almost three years, I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that this is the first time I've ever had a traditional British afternoon tea. This historic English manor is definitely the ideal place to experience this delicious pastime. Believe it or not, there is a funny debate here in the UK about the order in which to apply jam and cream to scones. Apparently, I prefer the Cornwall method. Jam first, then cream. After exploring the birthplace of Shakespeare and walking in the nearby villages, I must admit I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the wonderful English countryside. But if I'm honest, I'm glad it's only temporary. There are definitely aspects of country living that I can take away and apply to my own life. But for me, living permanently in the countryside isn't the right choice for my life right now. Whether you're practicing slow living in a city like me or living fast in the middle of nowhere, I truly believe that you can take steps to live the lifestyle you want wherever you are. I hope you enjoyed exploring this rural English country lifestyle with me. Next week, I've got a few more bits to show you from my beautiful staycation. Until then, have a wonderful week.