Cultivating Coziness
The following is general advice and thoughts on how to cultivate more "coziness" in one's life. This is purely my own experience and not applicable to everyone everywhere. Coziness has almost become a bit of a buzzword lately. There are cozy aesthetics, cozy games, cozycore(?), and others, so I understand if this term has become tiresome to some people. But for me, this post is a bit of a moodboard for what I consider "cozy" to be. Hygge has also been thrown around a bit. I was first introduced to the term by my mom, who was raised by my Swedish grandmother and Danish grandfather. Because of this background, this is one value I hold close to my heart. Denmark.dk defines it this way: Hard to pronounce, hygge ("hooga") is difficult to explain, too. In brief, hygge is about taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about - or even by yourself - to relax and enjoy life's quieter pleasures. The word hygge dates back to around 1800, at least in the meaning it has today. However, various definitions of hygge can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where a similar Old Norse word meant "protected from the outside world." Hygge is often about informal time together with family or close friends. Typically, the setting is at home or another quiet location, or perhaps a picnic during the summer months. It usually involves sharing a meal and wine or beer, or hot chocolate and a bowl of candy if children are included. There is no agenda. You celebrate the small joys of life, or maybe discuss deeper topics. It is an opportunity to unwind and take things slow. This is certainly when I am happiest, as someone who loves being alone, sharing food, and enjoying small things, and especially as we enter my favorite season. What follows are further stream-of-consciousness thoughts about it. Soft lighting. I try to not turn lights on when possible. Lamps, fairy lights, candles, and most importantly, natural lighting during the day from windows. Textural comfort. Soft throws, blankets, fleece, knit sweaters, rugs, things that invite comforting touch. Natural elements. Plants (even fake ones!), stones, wood. Scent. I am actually pretty particular about what scents; not those disgusting $10 candles from hobby lobby or Walmart that smell like cinnamon-flavored detergent. Usually a little bit more of a natural candle, or even baking something like bread or a dessert can make a natural nice scent in the space. Sound, or lack thereof. Sometimes while reading, I put on an ambient playlist depending on time of day, or prefer silence so I can hear my own thoughts. The best is definitely rain outside, although I only get that rarely. Listening to calming and groovy music also does the trick, and sometimes it's good to do absolutely nothing else but soak in it. Hot drinks. Carefully prepared, fresh-ground coffee in the morning, or a brisk English tea such as English Breakfast or Earl Grey. Enjoy it slowly and thoughtfully, hopefully with light reading. ONLY before 12:00-13:00, which brings me to the next point, Sleep. Reduce screen usage before bed, go to sleep by 22:00 or at the latest 23:00, and ideally read in the last hour before closing my eyes and falling asleep. My reading is done on an e-reader, specifically the Kobo Libra (B&W), for a closer experience to a regular book. Cooking at home. Stews, hearty meals, baked goods. Crafting or making, using your hands to crochet or knit or sew, journal or even painting. Speaking of reading, create a little nook for it. The couch with a tall glass of water or tea, a chair by the window or a lamp, anything. Board games or puzzles with others. Walking and exercise. While having a delightful, calm walk outside in the beautiful weather might seem intuitive here, and pumping oneself up to crank out a crazy cardio workout might not, I would argue that the feeling of a very difficult workout once you're done is absolutely priceless. Not to mention undeniably cozy once you've showered and dressed into nicer clothes. Small gatherings. Invite friends to a little movie night or to have tea and play board games. Keep it small. Silence. Doing nothing. Traditions that anchor you. Planning a specific thing once a week to unwind and look forward to. Slowing down and not putting pressure on oneself to be productive. Being imperfect. I am a perfectionist to the bone, so I have to remind myself that what I create or do can suck sometimes. Being grateful for small things like noticing a bug or having access to clean water. Seasonal appreciation, such as eating seasonally or doing seasonally-specific activities. Devaluing money and career progress. This might seem appalling to some, but my mental health and time are more important than having new furniture, clothes, appliances, technology, or eating out every week. Sometimes eating rice and beans or shoveling raw tomatoes into my mouth brings me so much happiness and gratitude because of how little sensation I receive from it. Shopping used things that are a little shitty is freeing. Adding items I want to my wishlist and forgetting about it instead of impulse buying feels amazing. Till next time. Subscribe via email or RSS Soft lighting. I try to not turn lights on when possible. Lamps, fairy lights, candles, and most importantly, natural lighting during the day from windows. Textural comfort. Soft throws, blankets, fleece, knit sweaters, rugs, things that invite comforting touch. Natural elements. Plants (even fake ones!), stones, wood. Scent. I am actually pretty particular about what scents; not those disgusting $10 candles from hobby lobby or Walmart that smell like cinnamon-flavored detergent. Usually a little bit more of a natural candle, or even baking something like bread or a dessert can make a natural nice scent in the space. Sound, or lack thereof. Sometimes while reading, I put on an ambient playlist depending on time of day, or prefer silence so I can hear my own thoughts. The best is definitely rain outside, although I only get that rarely. Listening to calming and groovy music also does the trick, and sometimes it's good to do absolutely nothing else but soak in it. Hot drinks. Carefully prepared, fresh-ground coffee in the morning, or a brisk English tea such as English Breakfast or Earl Grey. Enjoy it slowly and thoughtfully, hopefully with light reading. ONLY before 12:00-13:00, which brings me to the next point, Sleep. Reduce screen usage before bed, go to sleep by 22:00 or at the latest 23:00, and ideally read in the last hour before closing my eyes and falling asleep. My reading is done on an e-reader, specifically the Kobo Libra (B&W), for a closer experience to a regular book. Cooking at home. Stews, hearty meals, baked goods. Crafting or making, using your hands to crochet or knit or sew, journal or even painting. Speaking of reading, create a little nook for it. The couch with a tall glass of water or tea, a chair by the window or a lamp, anything. Board games or puzzles with others. Walking and exercise. While having a delightful, calm walk outside in the beautiful weather might seem intuitive here, and pumping oneself up to crank out a crazy cardio workout might not, I would argue that the feeling of a very difficult workout once you're done is absolutely priceless. Not to mention undeniably cozy once you've showered and dressed into nicer clothes. Small gatherings. Invite friends to a little movie night or to have tea and play board games. Keep it small. Silence. Doing nothing. Traditions that anchor you. Planning a specific thing once a week to unwind and look forward to. Slowing down and not putting pressure on oneself to be productive. Being imperfect. I am a perfectionist to the bone, so I have to remind myself that what I create or do can suck sometimes. Being grateful for small things like noticing a bug or having access to clean water. Seasonal appreciation, such as eating seasonally or doing seasonally-specific activities. Devaluing money and career progress. This might seem appalling to some, but my mental health and time are more important than having new furniture, clothes, appliances, technology, or eating out every week. Sometimes eating rice and beans or shoveling raw tomatoes into my mouth brings me so much happiness and gratitude because of how little sensation I receive from it. Shopping used things that are a little shitty is freeing. Adding items I want to my wishlist and forgetting about it instead of impulse buying feels amazing.
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