How can you fall into more cozy? Can you be too cozy?
Since it is fall by all indications here, it might be the right time to lean into what is spectacular about this season…coziness. As the late warm summer teases with cool, crisp temperatures, the glories of the promised transition to fall bring anticipation for many of our favorite things. Take some time to think about your favorite things about fall.
If we explore the best of fall with our senses, it becomes palatable as it immerses us. Let’s think about how we can have more cozy with all of our senses. As we unpack each sense, consider where you can add more to what you are already doing with fall.
While it is impossible to know what sense comes first, let’s lead off with smell. The whiff of certain smells at any time of the year immediately embrace us in those things we love best about fall. Some of my favorite fall scents include cinnamon, pumpkin, pine, apple, apple cider, leather and bonfires. More may involve adding something to your everyday or going on an adventure like a hayride to bring more cozy to your everyday. Adding a candle or diffuser is super easy. Place fall smelling hand soap in your sink areas. As I write this content, my orange essential oil in our kitchen diffuser is reminding us that today is one of our best days.
Secondly, our sight is enhanced by pausing and being present. In fall, the variety of color in nature, the brightness of the blue in the sky and the intensity of contrast in nature invites us outside more often. Currently, a look out the window offers the contrast of bright green grass, darkness of tree trunks, exciting shades of yellow, orange, green and red exploding from the leaves on the trees and those fallen highlighted by the brilliant blues of the sky. Just yesterday we found a new road where there is a small lake. The sky was reflecting blue on the water near my feet. So the blue was at the top and bottom of our pictures. If you are looking to take your fall coziness up a notch go for a ride with someone you love. Color is everywhere. Splash a few fall things on your coffee table or bathrooms (especially the one used by guests or your primary bathroom). Walk outside your front door and turn around. Can you bring more cozy to the entrance into your home for your sake and those who visit? While decorating might seem the obvious way to enhance our sight, there are so many other easy ways to embrace fall visually by just being more aware.
Thirdly, touch is one of the easiest areas to concentrate on more coziness. Think of softer blankets, softer sweaters, softer socks, softer sheets and softer sleeping clothes are just a few ways to increase fall happiness. Locate all of your softest clothes. Maybe buy a new super cozy sweater or something to lounge in for more cozy. Picking up a vibrant red leaf, planning an apple picking outing and carving a pumpkin bring the fall vibes. A few years ago I decided to change from strong fall colors in our fall home decorations to more neutral tones. A set of three resin pumpkins really captured attention. While this set had been used for a few years, I really loved their whimsical look and nubby texture. After some thought, I painted them a soft white and rubbed gold. They looked better than ever. This new paint offered even more texture to our tablescape.
Fourthly, sounds of fall involve the crunch of leaves underfoot, strong wind blowing and the crackling bonfires. Early this season, a new playlist by JJ Heller quickened my fall mood. For me, the one nature sound that really kicks up is the wind. As we have just moved to the top of the mountain, the force of the wind kicks up heavily in the winter. During the fall wind often means the colorful leaves are coming down like rain. Another sound that indicates cozy is anything seasonal would be apple cider on the stove or our hot chocolate maker.
Lastly, taste for this season can be motivated by the items just mentioned. Think of creating a reason to share hot apple cider. Throw a hot chocolate party with toppings and variation. Freshly picked apple pies or any fruit cobbler with a scoop or two of homemade vanilla ice cream is eagerly received. The list of pumpkin anythings are dominated with pumpkin influenced coffee, pumpkin muffins and pumpkin pies. Coziness is ramped up with a tall stock pot of homemade chicken noodle soup, meat filled chili with sausage or my husband’s favorite split pea and ham soup. Italian wedding soup and autumn squash soup also invite fresh out of the oven breads and a cold salad. Whether more sweet or more salty, more hot or more cold fall is the best excuse for more!!
While cozy involves all of the senses, it also refers to the idea of feeling more friendly. Some of the content that might compliment these cozy encouragements:
Fall is for Friendship: 10 Ideas to Enjoy Friends
10 Ideas for Preparing for Overnight Guests
How to Make Friends and Keep Them
(Each of this have companion podcasts at Embrace Your Everyday podcast.)
Join the conversation at Embrace Your Everyday podcast.
comments +