A “Cozy at Home” Fall Challenge for You
Now that we are in the midst of fall, the cozy home cocooning season is here and for the next month or so, it is also a “holiday free” time of year. Which makes it the perfect time to slow life down before the busy rush of the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is upon us.
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Why not take a little time for yourself over the next few weeks to recharge before the busy season sets in?
Afternoon naps. Fireside chats. Kicking back to watch the game. Or snuggling in for a movie marathon and my favorite pastime – sitting on my deck watching the sunset over the lake every night.
Start a “Cozy at Home” Fall Challenge
I read about taking a cozy at home fall challenge a few years ago. It was a two-week challenge. I know many of us don’t have time for that, but part of a cozy lifestyle is keeping life simple, as well as taking things slowly.
Pausing and savoring special moments, which in the business of life tends to slip by unnoticed. Start making it a point to notice and do something that will relax and reset your day to a more enjoyable one.
One of my favorite things to do is sit outside on the deck overlooking the lake this time of the year in South Carolina. The temps are in the mid 70’s during the day and cooler at night when I can sit in my outdoor space in one of my favorite rockers wrapped up in a cuddly throw.
I love these chairs so much that we added two more to the deck. They are the chairs that everyone wants to sit in. The first two rockers we got 11 years ago. They are outside uncovered all year long and still look brand new.
I also enjoy eating a simple dinner outside every night and will do so until it gets too cold to sit on the deck for a length of time.
I have been making big pots of soup and stew and freezing them into portions.
Doing this makes dinner fuss-free and more time to watch the way the sun sets with different colors and cloud patterns each night.
It gets darker earlier now and having battery-operated flameless candles lit gives us just the right amount of ambiance that makes these simple dinners out on the deck feel special.
The set of candles I have comes with a remote that works to turn all of the candles on and off at once.
With the remote control there is also no need to have to open up my wood lanterns and individually turn each candle on. I just have to stand close to the candles and press on/off button and voila – candlelit ambiance.
Cozy at Home Challenge Ideas
Here is a list of more ideas to start your own “Cozy at Home Fall Challenge”. Do one or all and create your own. These simple things may become habit and lead you to a less stressful life… which of course is a good thing.
Turn Off The Lights
Turn off or dim the lights in a room, then turn on a favorite movie from your childhood.
You know those movies – the ones you can recite every line from. Select one you love and remember fondly, and enjoy recalling wonderful memories while under the warmth of a cuddly throw or blanket.
Good Smells In the Kitchen
Cook a meal that needs to simmer on the stove all afternoon long or bake something warm and delicious.
There is nothing quite like the anticipation of waiting for the oven timer to beep or the smell of a favorite soup bubbling away.
If you are not a skilled baker, baking pre-made cookie dough can be just as delicious. :-)
Create an Inside Picnic
Have a candlelit picnic dinner on the floor of your family or living room. If you have kids or grandkids, they will love doing this and will ask to do it more.
Enjoy a Hot Beverage
Make a big batch of Hot Buttered Rum from scratch. Keep it in the fridge so it is ready to enjoy when you want to spend down time with something warm and soothing to wrap your hands around.
Read a Cozy Mystery
Read a cozy, light-hearted mystery. Not only will it be enjoyable, it will get your mind off the depressing world news.
Un Plugged Time
So many of us spend our days chained to a computer or cell phone. Then after your work day is done, we head home where we sit in front of the television or scroll social media for hours.
Instead, enjoy an evening unplugged. Light some candles, take a bath, listen to your favorite music or playlist, grab a book, or simply have a conversion with your family or friends while you are all snuggled under soft throw blankets you keep hung on the living room wall or tossed in a basket.
Go For a Walk
November can be either filled with vibrant fall colors or gloomy depending on where you live. When it is nice out, make it a point to get outside, walk around and breathe in some fresh air.
It is uplifting for your mood and will boost your energy levels.
In the Morning
Set your alarm clock an hour earlier on some mornings. Pour your coffee or tea in your favorite mug, and head back to bed to enjoy some quiet time before starting your day.
Host a Soup Exchange
Just like a cookie exchange party that you may host for Christmas. Once the weather starts to get chilly outside, invite friends to bring a big batch of soup to share, as well as a few food storage containers.
Everyone leaves with several soups to enjoy at home and a few hours one-on-one, face-to-face spending time sharing, laughing and catching up with each other.
Create Warmth Through Lighting
This is not actually something to do each day, but rather something to support your daily cozy making efforts.
Twinkle lights or fairy lights are not only for Christmas. They look magical all year around. Hang a string or two in your bedroom or living room. Instant ambiance.
Adding soft lighting and checking that the light bulbs in your lamps are on dimmers.
Cozy Up The Kitchen
This is another cozy supporting thing you can do that will help you feel less stressed. Add a small lamp to your kitchen counter. It will add soft light that makes your kitchen look warm and cozy without having to do much else.
I feel like the lamp adds the cozy country living at home in the kitchen vibe I see in magazines.
I try to do all of these now that the cozy season is here, even if it is only for a short time on the busiest of days.
All in all, when it comes to a cozy lifestyle, listen to what your mind and body are telling you, take a little time each day for yourself and do things that you love.
Start with one small thing a day. Before you know it, taking some cozy time may just become part of your daily routine all year long.