STRONGER TOGETHER: Embracing “Borecore” and Finding Joy in the Mundane

"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses how the "borecore" trend celebrates finding joy in mundane, everyday tasks as a gentle rebellion against hustle culture and a nod to slow living.

By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea

Scroll through social media today and you’ll find an oddly soothing trend taking over: videos of people deep cleaning kitchens, folding laundry with precision, or pressure washing driveways until they gleam.

What might once have seemed like quirky personal habits are now part of a broader cultural shift known as “borecore”, a celebration of life’s quiet, everyday moments.

From peeling the sticker off a new appliance to beating Google Maps’ ETA on a walk, “borecore” is about finding that surprising spark of joy in the mundane. It’s a gentle rebellion against hustle culture, a nod to slow living, and a reminder that contentment doesn’t always come from chasing the extraordinary.

Personally, I’ve found unexpected satisfaction in reorganising and labelling everything in my pantry. With a bit of creativity and attention to detail, I’ve turned it into a space I’m genuinely proud of. It’s a small thing, but it brings a genuine sense of joy and accomplishment.

According to Annie Corser, senior trends editor at Stylus, “borecore” gained momentum during the pandemic. “The content creation habits formed during that strange time persist today,” she explains. “Detailing our takeaways, organising fridges, and filming how we do laundry became entertainment and connection.”

This trend isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about mental wellbeing. Amid the constant buzz of modern life, “borecore” brings us back to earth.

Psychotherapist Charlotte Fox Weber notes, “Simple is not simplistic. The little basic details of life can be pleasant and consoling when so much is difficult.”

“Borecore” also reflects a shift from FOMO (fear of missing out) to JOMO (joy of missing out).

More people are choosing quiet nights in over packed social calendars, and they’re doing so without shame.

As Weber puts it, “Embracing ordinary life, allowing yourself to appreciate the everyday, can be life-enhancing and real.”

We all have our own version of “borecore” that makes us feel grounded. The trick is to find what works for you, what soothes you, what makes you feel quietly alive.

For some, it’s flipping the perfect omelette or catching every green light on Takalvan Street. For others, it’s the quiet satisfaction of a perfectly organised drawer or pantry. And that’s more than enough.