A List of Simple Pleasures That Make Life Feel Cozy

The first sip of coffee in the morning My favorite morning ritual is making that first cup of coffee in the morning to start my day with a little more energy. Not only do I love the flavor, I love the act itself. To me coffee screams morning time, and I’ll admit that mornings are my favorite time of the day.

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Warm pasta, soup, or comfort food when you’re emotionally drained: Food is always something that I turn to when I need a little extra comfort when I’m feeling emotionally drained. Give me all of the starches and hearty meals—Italian pasta dishes, creamy mashed potatoes, fresh baked bread, and even small snacks like charcuterie. There’s something about small bites paired with a glass of wine that bring me so much joy, so much elation that it’s hard to explain. Food just makes me so happy.

Candles glowing in a quiet room I love lighting candles every day to set a calming and inviting atmosphere. I currently have my favorite scented candle, Baltic Amber by Voluspa, and I light it every night while I grab my book to read or listen to some music. The scent is warm, cozy, and wrapped with nostalgia.

A long shower after feeling overstimulated: Long showers are essential for me because I carry so much tension in my shoulders. I need hot water to ease the muscles. Generally, I like to take a shower at night, then get into bed to read, then fall asleep. When you’re in a relaxed state it helps the feelings of overwhelm, overstimulation, and exhaustion dissipate. At least momentarily.

Cloudy skies and soft rain: My favorite weather is cloudy, cool, with a chance of light rain. That’s what I love about living in California. We get rain, which can be a rarity, but on those days it makes me happy. The colder weather helps me feel more alive. The smell of rain after a long dry spell is enthralling and reminiscent. I think that’s why I love visiting Portland so much. It’s always raining, and it illuminates the beauty of nature there.

Wearing oversized sweaters: Winter is my favorite season because I get to bring out my collection of oversized hoodies. There’s something about the long sleeves that cover your hands or the way the warmth covers me with the feeling of safety. Sweatpants too. I like feeling cozy most of the time and this is always my go-to outfit when it’s chilly outside.

Grocery shopping slowly without rushing I know that I often complain about going to grocery stores because being around too many people at once makes me incredibly anxious and overwhelmed. But the truth is, I love going food shopping. I like getting there earlier in the morning when it’s less crowded and browsing the store for ideas and inspiration. Food, like I said before, brings the utmost joy, and being able to walk around in silence allows me to actually look at ingredients instead of feeling rushed to choose them.

Ocean breeze on a hot afternoon Take me to the beach and I’m a happy camper. I once was asked, “What’s your holy place,” I’m not religious by any means, but the question was asking where do you feel most at peace with yourself. And for me, that place has always been the beach. I love staring out into the endless ocean, pondering life’s little mysteries, or reflecting on myself and where I’m at in life. It’s healing, soothing, and relaxation at its finest. The smell of salty sea air brushing against my face after a nice cool breeze is a feeling that I never take for granted. It lightens the heaviness of the everyday stress.

Listening to music while the house is quiet I love blaring my music when I have the house to myself. Generally, I can’t crank it up because of other people, so when I have the opportunity, I increase the volume, sing, dance, and move around. It actually helps increase my motivation. Often I love listening to music while I’m cleaning or organizing. Music helps me get up from my seat and start being active. I especially love nights where I get the kitchen to myself. I’ll play some Italian music and really get into the zone of cooking.

Watching the sky change colors at sunset All I can say is that our world is truly magical. Seeing the sky turn shades of pink, yellow, orange, and sometimes a light purple. It’s magnificent to bask in that beauty. Just like the beach, it soothes me, makes me reflect, and gives me a fresh outlook on life and hope. And if I’m watching a sunset at the beach, you can guess I’m the happiest in those moments.

Hearing laughter from another room Laughter is the best medicine. I think we all know that. When you’re smiling, laughing, it releases the stress. The sound of laughter filling the room is like music to my ears. It means people are having a great time, and when people (friends mostly) are entertained and satisfied it helps me feel that way too.