It’s go-time for me. Each year in the fall, I have a massive burst of creative energy and spend 3 months go-go-going. 3 weeks ago, I led a retreat in New Mexico for my Freedom Mastermind, last weekend I co-led the LIVE FREE retreat in Sonoma, and just yesterday I was doing a video shoot for my upcoming 2014 Freedom Mastermind launch, which comes after a trip to NYC and a 2 week trip to Peru. Phew! A lot of women I’ve spoken with recently have a lot going on, too.
So when I began packing my bags for a relaxing weekend in chilly Utah, I started to feel into the delightful feeling of cozy…
Cozy is one of my favorite feelings.
Cozy happens when we slow time down…when we drop into the gorgeous stillness of a moment; when we allow our surroundings to soothe us; when we delight in creature comforts; when we create an environment to please; when we just let go.
Amidst all our crazy we need more cozy, wouldn’t you agree? {tweet it}
35 WAYS TO GET COZY
1. Wash your sheets and make your bed beautifully.
2. Drink tea and read fiction in your beautifully made bed.
3. Simmer water, orange peels, cloves and cinnamon sticks on the stove.
4. Sit around a fire with friends.
5. Ask someone to play with your hair or give you a scalp massage.
6. Pack a blanket and a snack and head to the park.
7. Tidy your house slowly, in a comfy dress and jewelry.
8. Make dinner – complete with flowers & candles – for a friend with a new baby.
9. Rub someone’s back.
10. Power off your cell phone for a day.
11. Read a magazine at a cafe.
12. Cook a stew.
13. Buy a bunch of lavender and smell it often.
14. Build an altar.
15. Light lots of candles.
16. Dab on some soothing essential oils.
17. Make a snack that includes edible flowers.
18. Write a love letter to your grandmothers.
19. Listen to Billie Holiday while making brunch.
20. Eat brunch quietly on the sofa, curled up in a blanket.
21. Watch a romantic old movie with your beloved.
22. Throw a potluck dinner-party.
23. Put lemon and fresh herbs in your water.
24. Buy a beautiful fall scented candle.
25. Sit quietly and look out your window.
26. Eat lunch off your most beautiful dishes.
27. Cozy-up with your favorite childhood book.
28. Start a craft project.
29. Buy flowers that smell gorgeous.
30. Take a long bath.
31. Do a ritual.
32. Have a slumber party with a girlfriend.
33. Give yourself a long foot massage.
34. Call your mom and ask her to describe the first time you met.
35. Do nothing.
–> In the comments below, share your favorite ways to get cozy, along with the ways you’ll cozy-up this weekend.
This post is so scrumptious! I resonate with each one – especially fire with friends, looking out the window, and Billy Holiday. Thank you lady for the oh-so-cozy post. Feelin’ good just reading it! x
Thank you so much for this reflection, Juliet!
Hope you’re having cozy fall, sister.
xo
Nisha
As Fall is upon us here in Quebec (and the weather much cooler) and I definitely feel the need for warm and cozy.
My idea of cozy?
A roaring fire in the fireplace + a glass of delicious red wine & cuddling with my fiance (chances are there will be at least 2 or 3 Schnoodles cuddling with us as well 🙂
Sitting in a steaming hot (outdoors) spa-bath under the stars is also one of my ultimate cozy favs
XO
Schnoodles! Oh, my fave puppies.
Love this, Caroline.
xo
Nisha
I love this. I’m getting cozy this weekend by indulging in long hot baths with candles and flowers sprinkled around the room.
Drinking warm tea.
Maybe i’ll try making some chicken noodle soup from scratch
Enjoying Ethiopian dinner with my lover for our weekend celebration.
So beautiful, Rashi Love.
Flowers around the room…divine.
xxo
Nisha
Oh I really love this Nisha! I’m definitely feeling the need to just relax a little bit and enjoy more sleep, more cuddles and more warmth in my life. Actually lately, the more time I’ve spent being cozy…the more I actually get motivated to create! It’s really beautiful. I start by just drinking great coffee in front of the fireplace at my favorite coffee shop, or cuddled up in bed and then after a while I get really inspired to do some great work! 🙂 love it!
“…the more time I’ve spent being cozy…the more I actually get motivated to create”
YES!
Awesome, Ashlee. Thank you so much for sharing this important point.
xo
Nisha
My idea of cozy….would have to be opening all the windows in my house to let the fresh air in and circulate….take all the pillows and blankets and place them just so on my bed and my dogs beds….get my dogs to cuddle on their beds with their pillows and blankets, while I cuddle and watch them just inches away, and within in minutes we’ll all be cuddling closely and side by side! Having a nice cup of vegan cocoa or hot apple cider doesn’t hurt either….of course a nice hot bath beforehand is always a soothing way to start the relaxing “cozy” feeling!
Awesome, Pamela. My fave hot cocoa is made with coconut milk. Yours?
xo
Nisha
As I read your blog I am cuddling (with my computer!) under a wool blanket…but I love putting on my slipper socks that go all the way up to my knees and chillin’ out with a movie, my husband, and a mug of hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows on top! xoxo
Great one, Erin. Gotta love slipper socks!
xo
Nisha
What a DELICIOUS post! Thanks a million for this.
With pleasure, Meera! Thank you for reading.
xo
Nisha
1) Write morning pages
2) Lie down with your eyes closed and listen to an audiobook
3) Book an acupuncture appointment
4) Write a letter to yourself to be opened one month later
5) Sketch the moon cycle into your dayplanner
6) Listen to Ludovico Einaudi
7) Listen to rainymood.com close your eyes and picture being in Vancouver or Victoria
8) Observe that sometimes doing ‘nothing’ is doing something.
These are gorgeous, Chelsea!
#5 is genius.
xo
Nisha
I love all these ideas! My favorite way to get cozy is to drink warm tea on my couch with a cozy blanket and my doggies snuggled up with me, while watching a favorite rom-com or old movie.
Awesome, Melissa 🙂 What’s your fave rom-com?
xo
Nisha
Long, deliberate food prep on a Sunday afternoon. Peeling, steaming, sautéing, roasting. A mood-appropriate playlist is a must.
Beautiful one, Georgia.
May I suggest an album?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/woman/id598779766
xo
Nisha
I eat breakfast or lunch on the porch or balcony when I want to feel luxurious!
A friend once commented how we often eat outside in the morning on beach vacations, but never when we’re home. Eating breakfast outside adds instant relaxation to the day.
Great one, Victoria. I’m doing it tomorrow!
xo
Nisha
Nisha, the email itself is so COZY! I love it and love coziness. Perfect newsletter for the fall season. Thanks for sharing and inspiring as always. xoxo
PS. Some of my favs:
wearing oversized sweaters
sipping hot cocoa
watching it snow outside while cuddling on the couch indoors
eating delicious soup and feeling your body warm up instantly
curling up in a hammock with a warm blanket and a delicious book
I am LOVING these, Jordana!
The snow watching one is getting me excited for winter…
xo
Nisha
Ooh I love getting cozy, so many great ideas! One of my favorite cozy things to do is number 7 – the best part is going through my jewelry and sorting it.
But nothing beats baking 😉
Wow. I was just bopping around Marie Forleo’s site and was pulled here by one of your comments…I’m not certain what drew me, but I know why: I have been sending a message to the universe about needing some cozy! It wasn’t even a conscious beacon, yet here I am served with a great reminder and list of ways to make it happen. Thank you!
Thanks so much for reading, Angela!
Beautiful list — I especially love the way that you phrased #34
Wow I’m stunned love all of these I’m gonna try them I love coming home from a long hard day of shopping or school or work and just getting on onesizes !!!! Love it is there any good relaxing music you know of xx
Wow! Cool.
I like to drink a hot cocoa while in my dressing gown and PJs, watching youtube and cuddling up with my 2 dogs! And it makes it more cosy when there’s a thunderstorm outside and the lanterns are on!
Amazing- sounds super cozy and wonderful!
Love all of your suggestions!
Thank you! So happy to hear this resonates with you.